by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Christian Living, End Times, General, God — No Comments ↓

The temperatures in North Texas are finally getting up to where they normally are in what has been a very strange year of weather so far. That means it’s hot outside, a fact that hasn’t escaped anyone. If I spend any extended amount of time outside in this weather I need a tall glass of cold water to recover!

The hot days of a Texas summer remind me of the first desire the rich man had when he found himself in Hades. Upon seeing Lazarus across the gulf he cried, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24). I cannot imagine being in enough pain that a finger dipped in water could have any impact in helping me.

The reason for the rich man’s torment was the way he lived his life. Despite living successfully by the world’s standard, it is he, not the poor beggar Lazarus, who finds himself in Torments. This is not to say that wealth is sinful in and of itself, for the Bible also mentions many righteous rich men like Abraham and Job. Rather this account warns of the dangers of money. Not only is the love of money the root of evil, but it also can lead you to eternal damnation (I Timothy 6:10).

Abraham informs the rich man that Lazarus cannot provide a drop of water to cool his tongue because of the great gulf that is fixed between Paradise, where the righteous wait, and Torments, a place of punishment for the wicked. The physical world is the only realm where righteousness and evil dwell together. Luke 16 tells us about the Hadean realm, where those who have died await the judgment day. The gulf separates the two categories of inhabitants as they wait. The Book of Revelation reveals where all go after the wait is over. Revelation 21:8 describes the occupants of the lake of fire and brimstone and their punishment as the second death. It is the eternal punishment of Hell for the wicked. The righteous however are blessed with the city four-square where there is no night (Revelation 22:5).

The rich man’s second greatest desire in Torments was that his family would be informed by Lazarus about the penalty for dying in sin. When Abraham reminds the rich man that the words of Moses and the prophets should be sufficient for them, the rich man responds that they would repent if someone from the dead went to them. Abraham cuts to the heart of the matter with a sad truth, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” 

Faithful New Testament Christians understand this concept perfectly from living among the heathen in this sinful world. Jesus the Christ rose from the dead, yet so many continue to teach as commandment the doctrines of men (Mark 7:7). The chilling fact spoken by Abraham is a great reminder for those still living. If we are waiting for a personal and special revelation from God before we follow Him we will be in the same position as the rich man and his brothers.

It may be hot in Texas, but it is unbearable in Torments and Hell. May we all live our lives with the eternal in mind and forsake the cares of the world (Mark 4:19). Remember to set your affections on things above (Colossians 3:2).

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Evangelism, Faith, General, God, Service, Worship — No Comments ↓

Isaiah gives us some interesting insight into the events of his calling to be a prophet of God in the sixth chapter of his book. He is given the special privilege of seeing the throne room of God. His first reaction is one of sorrow and woe, because he immediately recognizes just how inadequate he is to serve God. God’s innate holiness is a specific concern for Isaiah. He feels utterly and completely unable to speak the holy words of a holy God with his unclean lips in the midst of people with unclean lips. The next event is fascinating. One of the heavenly beings brings a fiery coal and presses it on Isaiah’s lips, purging his sin and sanctifying him for service.

The truth of the matter is Isaiah is not alone. No one among us is able to compare with the holiness of God. Our own feelings of inadequacy may cause us to feel unworthy of serving Him and ultimately, we are. Paul proclaims emphatically that there is none righteous (Romans 3:10). Who am I to serve in God’s kingdom?

The good news of the gospel is that God can cleanse me. Just as Isaiah’s sin was taken away, God has provided the means for our sanctification and justification as well. It is the “gift of God,” eternal life (Romans 6:23). When Christ died for our sins He made reconciliation with God possible (Ephesians 2:16). I need to appeal to His grace by calling on the name of the Lord for salvation (Acts 2:21; Acts 22:16).

When Isaiah was cleansed He hears a call. “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” was a call that came from God Himself (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah understood that the call was for him. His response was simple, great, and therefore simply great, “Here am I; send me.”

I’m afraid some Christians don’t realize they were saved to serve. Isaiah’s sins were taken away so he could serve God. They became a New Testament Christian, in essence saying, “Here am I,” among the saved of God. But they may not have yet examined the areas in which they can serve. Notice some areas where we might cry, “Here am I, but don’t send me!”

In worship. Some are very good at showing up for worship, but not so good at participating. Don’t forget that we must be involved with worship, giving Him our hearts (Ephesians 5:19; John 4:24). You may not sing well, but sing the best you can. You might find yourself distracted during the sermon or a prayer, but intently refocus right away.

 In evangelism. If the gospel was enticing enough for you to obey, why shouldn’t you share it with others? An invitation can be very powerful, as we see with Andrew, Peter’s brother (John 1:41). Make sure you are doing your part, because you have been sent into all the world (Mark 16:15).

In service. Sometimes we forget that it takes sacrifice to serve. We will help others as long as it’s not inconvenient for us. Jesus embodied a perfect attitude of service (Philippians 2:5-8). The servant of the Lord will have difficulties; just ask Paul (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Make sure that you finish the sentence when you tell God you are here, a part of His church. To be a part of the church means looking for a place to labor. Unfortunately, most don’t want to be sent to work in the fields. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few” (Luke 10:2).

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Christian Living, End Times, General, God — No Comments ↓

Amos deals with the great sin of the people of Israel and is expressing God’s frustration in the fourth chapter. Despite all manner of punishments God had already levied upon them, there was no repentance found. Therefore Amos utters, “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel” (Amos 4:12). We need to prepare ourselves lest when we meet our God in the day of judgment our deeds are found wanting and our name is absent from the book of life (II Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12, 15).

Prepare to meet thy God in fellowship. We need to have a relationship with God. He is our Father and Christians are His children (Romans 8:15). When we become part of Christ’s body that is described as His bride we become a part of God’s family (Revelation 21:2, 9). However some Christians act as if they can remain in that relationship while ignoring the opportunities to commune with Him in worship (Hebrew 10:24-25; I Corinthians 10:16).

Prepare to meet thy God in worship. When we commune with Him in worship we must make sure that the worship given is an acceptable sacrifice. Jesus taught that sacrifice to God should be postponed until our relationships are right with our brethren (Matthew 5:24). How we worship has always been important to God because in order to be true worshippers we must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). The only way to rightly divide between false worship and true worship is to study the word of God (II Timothy 2:15).

Prepare to meet thy God in His word. Creation is sufficient to teach us that there is a God, but we can only learn about that God from His word (Romans 1:20, I John 2:3). We have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness and thereby we may be changed by His word so that we can be pleasing to Him and fruitful in every good work (II Peter 1:3; Colossians 1:9-10). For this cause we would desire that His word would be uplifted in our world, our nation, and certainly in our churches, though such is not always the case. However, I can make sure the Bible is uplifted in my family.

Prepare to meet thy God in the family. If you are a father or mother, husband or wife, make sure the family is being prepared to meet Him. Parents should desire and stress above everything else that their children become faithful Christians. In order to develop a spiritual legacy such as this, parents must diligently teach their children the law of God (Deuteronomy 6:4-12). If your goal is to get your family to heaven you must prepare them for it. Perhaps you aren’t in a position to make sure the Bible is uplifted in your family at this point in your life. Make sure you uplift it yourself that you might save yourself and be a good example to others (Acts 2:40; I Peter 3:1-2).

Prepare to meet thy God in judgment. The words of Christ will judge us in the end (John 12:47-48). We will never know when that day comes until it does. Let’s make sure we are ready for that day by being watchful (I Thessalonians 5:2-6). Careless souls will linger and fail to prepare to meet God. Let’s not spurn His invitation to prepare ourselves for that day.

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Faith, General, God, Salvation — No Comments ↓

When we first come into the world, we are in our most dependent state. We need parents or other providers to feed, clean, and look after us. As we get older, we become more independent and begin to rely on ourselves. Despite our feelings of self-sufficiency, we have many needs that our education, job, and family are unable to fulfill. Our loving and all-powerful God offers to meet these needs.

We need God because He is our Creator. The Bible says God created the heavens, the earth, the animals, and man as well (Genesis 1:1-27). A manufacturer knows his product better than anyone and the same is true with our God. Because He made us, He knows us better than we know ourselves. He can answer difficult questions such as where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. We would never have been without our Creator.

We need God because He is our Redeemer. All of us have made mistakes in life and have sinned (Romans 3:23). No one can say they have no sin or need no Savior (I John 1:8). God has offered Himself as our Redeemer (Psalm 34:22). He did this by offering His Son to die for our sins on the cross (1 Peter 1:17-19; Galatians 4:4-5). Because of this sacrifice, we have the hope of redemption.

We need God because He is our Provider. He provides physical life and sustains it (Acts 17:28; Acts 14:17). He has promised to meet all physical needs if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:25-34). Greater than physical protection, He promises that He will protect us spiritually if we put on His armor (Ephesians 6:11-18).

All our needs can be met through Him. We cannot survive without our God. We need to be sure we have a good relationship with Him. The time for building that relationship is now. God tells us that we can love Him by keeping His commandments (John 15:14; I John 5:1-5). Let Him redeem you.

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Evangelism, General, God — No Comments ↓

It would be be very difficult to develop a list or manual describing what every Christian ought to be. Any publication containing less than the whole of the Bible would be inadequate and any containing more would be unauthorized (Revelation 22:18-19). However, it’s important to talk about our behavior as Christians especially around those who are not part of the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:3, Galatians 3:27).

Peter talked about the importance of the Christian’s behavior among the heathen in 1 Peter 2:1-20. In the first ten verses Peter describes the necessity of becoming one of God’s chosen people. We must do away with sinful activities and seek the “sincere milk of the word” (v1-2). When individuals humbly obey Christ and leave the desires of the world they are built together like stones used to build a house (v3-5). These who have been called out of sin to righteousness (the church) are aligned together perfectly by the “chief corner stone” who is Christ (v6). Those who obey Christ remain as part of this structure, and are become “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people,” having obtained mercy as the people of God (v7-10).

Following this primary instruction are further commands that can only be accomplished after the first is in effect. Christians must abstain from fleshly lusts and conduct themselves honestly among the world, despite any evil speaking (v11-12). Furthermore, Christians must be subject to the governing authorities and ultimately to God (v13-18). Finally, as Christians set a great example among unbelievers, they are to patiently endure any suffering for accusations of which they are not guilty (v19-20).

It’s clear that God holds His people to a high standard. This admonition should not be taken lightly by Christians at any stage of maturity. If a man or woman can first be a faithful Christian then success can be found in being a good example among the “Gentiles” of today.

Jesus commanded His followers to be good examples to the world. The Lord said that those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake are blessed (Matthew 5:10-12). Notice that He is speaking about the same people when He states, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). Christians are to be an influence for good in the world despite the persecution that comes with faithful living.  Faithful Christian living needs to be seen by the world. Why did both Peter and Jesus emphasize the Christian influence so much?

When Jesus mentions salt, light, and the city on the hill, He is focusing on the redeeming qualities of those elements. Salt has a saving ability; it provides preservation and seasoning. Certainly the example of Christians can save others by leading them to learn about Christ. Light can bring one away from danger and darkness either by providing a focal point, illuminating the correct path, or exposing the danger itself. Not only must Christian do this to be faithful themselves, but they may save others by their example. Finally, a city is seen. Though Matthew 6:5 teaches Christians aren’t to do good things for the purpose of being seen, we are commanded to be a city that can’t be hidden to the glory of God (Matthew 5:14-16).

 

In consideration of the Christian’s responsibility to be a good example to others, what should every Christian be?

1. Every Christian Should Be Happy and Content. Why would anyone want to be a Christian if the Christian they knew was always complaining, always down, and always had a problem? As Christians rejoice always their joy should be seen (Philippians 4:4). Paul says that he had to learn to be content (Philippians 4:11).

2. Every Christian Should Be Reverent. Obviously reverence of God is important in any era, but in our time especially reverence for God is lacking. When I show the world that I respect God to the point that I am serious when I speak of Him, faithful in attending the services of His worship, and diligent in my Bible study, they may consider their own lives.

3. Every Christian Should Be Working. The people who really know you know your schedule. If Christianity is something you “do” for Sunday and Wednesday services only, then they may not be very impressed with your admonitions that they become a Christian and labor for God. The most important work you will do this week is what you do for the kingdom whether you are a preacher, elder, teacher, or faithful member (1 Corinthians 15:58, Ecclesiastes 9:10).

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Baptism, Bible, Doctrine, Faith, False Doctrines, General, God, Hermeneutics, Salvation — No Comments ↓

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).

The above scripture is one of the most quoted in churches of Christ. The one true church of the Bible stands up for faith and baptism as prerequisites to salvation because Jesus Himself declared them so. Sadly, most in the denominational world cling to the necessity of faith while eschewing baptism in spite of the coordinating conjunction “and” which equates “believeth” with “is baptized.” This “faith only” crowd finds it difficult to contend with the clear words of Jesus.

You may have heard a few popular arguments against this reasonable interpretation of scripture. Some point to the last phrase of Mark 16:16, “But he that believeth not shall be damned.” They argue that because Jesus did not state, “He that believeth not and is baptized not,” the two phrases are not equal. Therefore, according to their reasoning, faith is essential but baptism is not. This argument is weak. Jesus explicitly stated that those who believe and are baptized will be saved. Too the Bible student understands that faith is prerequisite to baptism by examining the salvation accounts in the book of Acts (the day of Pentecost, the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius, etc.) in which each case exhibits faith first.

The Calvinists also press their doctrine in the popular New International Version. This version claims to be unbiased, which is difficult to believe given the way it shrouds Mark 16:9-20 in doubt. The translators claim: “Most reliable early manuscripts omit Mark 16:9-20.” However, even this comment implies that some reliable early manuscripts include it! The truth is that out of the five hundred manuscripts that are the “reliable early manuscripts,” only two are missing Mark 16:9-20 (“An Evaluation of the New International Version” by Foy E. Wallace, Jr.). However, even if those two manuscripts cause you to doubt this portion of scripture, what about the same teaching in Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:38, and 1 Peter 3:21?

One argument that may cause some Christians to wonder is the problem of Mark 16:17-18, the two verses following the Great Commission. In these verses Jesus continues, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” The argument says that if we are going to say baptism is essential to salvation, then we must also say that we can cast out demons, speak in tongues, handle snakes, drink poison without dying, and heal the sick. While at first glance this may elicit some concern from members of the church, a closer look exposes some very serious problems with this argument.

1. It is a “straw man argument.” A straw man argument is when the issue is changed and then defeated, leaving the original point unaddressed. In this case the original point was that because Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” belief and baptism are prerequisites to salvation. Those who argue the problem of Mark 16:17-18 have set up a straw man. They say if you believe verses 15 and 16 then you must also believe verses 17 and 18. Then they’ll claim that we don’t believe verses 17 and 18 because we do not practice such miracles in the churches of Christ. I will address below how we certainly do believe Mark 16:17-18. However, this straw man argument is a fallacy. Would the faith-only believer deny that he believes the Bible, in particular Mark 16:15-18? Is he willing to hold himself to the same standard that he holds members of the New Testament church? The truth is that all four of these verses are inspired of God and therefore true (II Timothy 3:16-17).

 

2. The New Testament has more to say about miracles than what is stated in the last chapter of Mark. If Mark 16:17-18 was the sum of instruction regarding miracles in the New Testament then we would all have to prove our belief by performing similar miracles. But don’t go in search of a copperhead snake to handle until you’ve read the rest of God’s words about miracles. John tells us the purpose of miracles is “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Hebrews 2:1-4 teaches that the purpose of miracles was to confirm God’s word to those who heard. Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 13 that the time of miracles would come to an end. The first part of the chapter teaches that the miraculous gifts mentioned in chapter 12 are insufficient without love. Further proving his case that love is greater than miraculous abilities Paul says, “But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). This teaches that miracles would cease once that which is perfect had come. Considering that miracles were to confirm that Christ and the apostles were speaking for God, and that proof is no longer needed because we have the complete word of God (2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3), we must conclude that miracles do not take place today. The miracles mentioned in Mark 16 are for the apostles to whom Jesus was speaking directly. We know that the belief and baptism mentioned in the previous verses are for everyone because of numerous accounts in scripture of people other than Christ and the apostles believing and being baptized.

3. I can believe that something written in the Bible is true without believing that I should do that something. When the Bible implicitly gives a command to every man, I must believe it and obey it (James 1:17-22). But the Bible contains more than commands to be followed today, for example, commands to individuals. When God commanded Noah to build an ark, that instruction was not meant for every Christian (Genesis 6:14). Why? Because the flood had already come. There is no need to build an ark today. Likewise, the purpose for miracles has ended: Jesus already proved He is the Son of God; the Bible is complete; and there are no more apostles; therefore, we don’t need miracles and Christians today are not subject to Mark 16:17-18. We must believe, because it is scripture, that the believers were authenticated by miracles in the first century. However I must not believe that these miracles are for me to prove my faith because the word of God and my works prove my faith for me (Romans 10:17, James 2:17-20).

From time to time those who drink poison or handle deadly serpents in the name of faith make the news. The world mocks Christianity when these events end in illness or death, but truly these poor souls have simply succumbed to the confusion that follows poor Bible interpretation. “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Christian Evidences, Doctrine, Faith, False Doctrines, General, God — No Comments ↓

The debate over the existence of God was disappointing. Which one? All of them. While I am grateful that men are willing to stand up for the fact of Genesis 1:1, that “[i]n the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth,” I’m disappointed that this truth must be debated. I cannot understand why anyone wouldn’t want to believe in God.

Atheism and Darwin’s theory of evolution often go hand in hand. The theory describes processes of origins that make no sense if the God of the Bible is behind them. Theistic evolution is, at its core, self-contradictory. God created the world in six literal days as described by the ancient Hebrew text. Most supporters of Darwin’s theory have reached the logical, though foolish (Psalm 14:1), end of their doctrine: that there is no God.

This is where we meet the disappointing nature of the atheists’ position. Without God there is no purpose for life. Solomon purposed to build God’s temple (I Kings 5:5). He wanted to do this because he knew that God exists and deserves to be praised (Psalm 52:9). Saul of Tarsus was called to be an apostle and witness of Christ (Acts 26:16). He was given a purpose and it changed his life. God gives all men a purpose: to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Without God what is man’s purpose? To live and die? To eat, drink, and be merry? A civilization founded on such philosophies will be ruled by evil and chaos. Why would I ever help my fellow man? Why would I sacrifice? Why would I invent? Why would I endure and overcome? There is no progress, peace, or joy in atheism because there is no God in it.

Today we are witnessing the effects of this theory having been taught in our public schools for over half a century. While the Bible emphasizes treasures in heaven, the modern materialistic world looks for treasure on the earth (Matthew 6:20). We would do well to remember the warning of Amos: “Woe to them that are in ease in Zion,” because we are like them that “lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches” (Amos 6:1, 4). Things should not be our god for they are temporary and we are eternal. At the last day the earth will be burned up while the saved will meet Christ in the air (II Peter 3:10-11; I Thessalonians 4:17).

The materialism of our nation is worrisome, but not as tragic as the change in our way of thinking about the value of a life. If all life that we see is evolved from a common ancestor then there should be no distinction made between the life of a plant, insect, fish, mammal, or human. How has this idea been promoted? By exaggerating the value of plants and animals and attacking the value of man. I suppose the Darwinists believe that by addressing both sides of the issue we’ll come to realize the truth that they imagine: that all life was created equal. If this is true, then abortion and euthanasia are as inconsequential as swatting a fly. Let it be known that man is the pinnacle of creation because he is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Humanity was given authority over all other creation when God said, “Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26).

I am disappointed that the atheist continues to fight for such a depressing doctrine. He lives a life with no purpose other than to destroy He who gives purpose. God says that the true worshippers “shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh” (Isaiah 66:24).

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Church, Doctrine, Elders, General, God — 2 Comments ↓

The appointment of elders in a local congregation is a matter of incredible importance. Consider that God gave very specific qualifications in scripture so that we could know exactly who should be leading the congregation (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11). In a different time, under a different law there was once a change in leadership that did not benefit God’s people. 1 Samuel 8 records the account of Israel asking Samuel for a king. They rejected God’s organization despite warnings of how difficult a king would make their lives. Hundreds of years later, evil kings lead God’s people to destruction and captivity. Christians should be satisfied with God’s organization for the church, namely that elders oversee and feed the local congregation under the authority of Jesus the Christ (Acts 20:8, Titus 1:5, Colossians 1:18). They should also be satisfied with God’s description of who is qualified to serve in this role. Consider these reasons why the qualifications are so important.

To fail to emphasize the qualifications is to fail to emphasize the authority of God. The church does not belong to Christians, but to Christ. Jesus said that he would build His church (Matthew 16:18). This same church is described as “the church of God” in 1 Corinthians 11:22. We are to do all things according to Christ’s authority (Colossians 3:17).

These decisions will shape the future of the congregation in more ways than can be counted. The qualifications given hold men who desire the office to a very high standard because they are given the responsibility of shepherding the people of God. The type of men who meet these qualifications will lead the church in ways that will be beneficial. The congregation must emphasize the qualifications so that the right men are leading.

Be careful and precise because the devil is working. Because Satan wants elderships to fail he works to ensnare them. Elders can fall from grace just as easy as any Christian. Congregations should appoint men who will remain steadfast and stand against “the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Some congregations with unqualified men in the position of elder have fallen prey to the temptation to use unauthorized practices to remove them. The consequences of unscriptural elders are destructive and far-reaching.

God wants there to be elders in every congregation. While it is difficult to meet all of the qualifications, it is not impossible. Some might be fearful of the consequences of unqualified elders and add qualifications of their own in an attempt to reassure themselves. But it is important to stress each qualification for what it says, no more and no less. Remember the ultimate warning of the Bible that no man shall add to or take away from the word of God (Revelation 22:18-19). God did not make the office of elder an unattainable goal, rather a position of great honor that can be met with experience and hard work.

Elders are not perfect, but they are to be obeyed. Becoming qualified does not mean becoming sinless and elders can certainly make errors in judgment. Consider that with Christ as the head of the church, the elders have no authority to change any part of God’s word. However the scriptures give them authority by admonishing Christians to, “obey them that have the rule over you” (Hebrews 13:17). We can infer that the elders have authority only in matters of judgment and opinion. A Christian may disagree with the opinion of the eldership, but he must obey. The qualifications are to ensure that the congregation appoints men that will lead us in the heavenly way and make it easy to submit to their rule (1 Peter 5:3).

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Doctrine, Evangelism, General, Holiday — No Comments ↓

Christmas is a wonderful holiday that can be observed by Christians in a godly way that uplifts the good it offers. Time spent with family, charity, recreation, and joy are all biblical ideals that should be part of our lives. However Satan has used this festive time of the year to create dangers for those seeking to live according to Holy writ.

1. Spreading a Lie. The Bible does not tell us that Jesus was born on December 25th. Because there were shepherds out at night with their flocks, Jesus’ birth was likely sometime in the spring (Luke 2:8). There is also the issue of the number of wise men who brought gifts to Jesus after He was born. The Bible tells us that three gifts were brought, but never mentions how many wise men there were (Matthew 2:11). It’s important to be factually accurate concerning biblical things but the real danger is present in the lie that we should celebrate the birth of Christ as a religious holy day. There is no authority in the pages of scripture to do such (Colossians 3:17). Those who created their own holy days in Galatia were reprimanded (Galatians 4:10-11). If God wanted us to celebrate the birth of Christ wouldn’t He have commanded or recorded accounts of such in His word?

2. Christmas Pageants, Plays, etc. Many religious organizations center events around Christmas because they have fallen prey to the idea that we must celebrate Christ’s birth. These are generally filled with false doctrine and help to spread the lie that Christmas should be observed as a holy day. One denomination created a musical based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The subtitle was, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ Told Through the Story of Ebenezer Scrooge.” Within this “innocent” musical the doctrine of a faith-only salvation was taught (James 2:17). Christians should not promote or participate in these events that teach false doctrine.

3. Becoming Materialistic. So many things about the holidays are good for us. I treasure the time spent with family and joy of giving that is associated with Christmas. However we can place too much emphasis on the gifts. Our treasures are laid up in heaven so we shouldn’t come to love these physical things (Matthew 6:19-21). Remember that all these things will be burned up at the judgment (I Peter 3:10). This Christmas, let your conduct be without covetousness (Hebrews 13:5).

4. Bad Stewardship. Along the lines of the section above, we must beware the temptation to spend too much this time of year. Some overspend in the name of generosity and stretch their credit accounts to the point that they are no longer able to give cheerfully (II Corinthians 9:7). Remember that the presents you buy this year do little to promote what is truly important. I suggest making a Christmas budget and sticking to it.

5. Teaching your Kids the Wrong Message. If we aren’t careful our children can learn from our mistakes and place too much importance on holidays. One of the keys to good parenting is to stress a love of God and His word everyday (Deuteronomy 6:4-12). Don’t allow holiday traditions to come between your children and the activities and doctrine of the Lord’s church. Otherwise your actions teach that Christmas is more important than Christ.

6. Teaching a Lie as a Truth. With Christmas come the popular myths of Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, etc. These stories are as harmless as Cinderella and Snow White, but some have expressed concern because they feel pressure to lie to their kids about Santa Claus and his role in the gift-giving. They don’t want to encourage older children who understand the myth to lie to the younger children in order to protect the “magic of Christmas.” As Christians we understand that lying is wrong (Revelation 21:8). There’s no need to lie to your children but that doesn’t mean we have to do away with Santa all together. There needs to be balance here. Treat Santa as you would Mickey Mouse. When you see “Mickey” at Disneyland do you call him “Mickey” or “man in suit?” Santa can be part of a game of make-believe for your child without lies or damage to their psyche.

7. Offering Vain Worship. Many traditional Christmas songs emphasize Christ’s birth. Some contain false doctrine and are therefore not beneficial to be sung in any capacity (Colossians 3:17). Some simply praise Christ as our Lord. These could be sung without any affiliation to the national holiday at any period of worship in the Lord’s church. Of course this would be without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music which are not authorized in the New Testament. Beware of the unscriptural songs that Christmas time brings.

8. Supporting False Doctrine. Many stores have the representatives of The Salvation Army at their front door. They ring  their bell, wear a Santa hat, and provide a red bucket for you to deposit your donations for the needy. Many well-intentioned Christians give thinking they are pleasing God by giving to those less fortunate than themselves. While the Salvation Army does many charitable things, they also teach many false doctrines. The Salvation Army is a religious organization with its own creed book. According to this book, some of the “official” false doctrines of the Salvation Army include: total hereditary depravity, direct operation of the Holy Spirit, denial of the necessity of baptism, mechanical instruments of music in worship, and the acceptance of women preachers. Giving is a wonderful part of the Christian faith (Galatians 6:10). But supporting The Salvation Army  puts one in fellowship with “unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11).

9. Forsaking the Assembly. There is so much to do in the Christmas season! Parties to plan, relatives to host, presents to buy, and cookies to bake are some of the most treasured activities of December. Sadly, many will forsake the assembly to provide enough time for these endeavors (Hebrews 10:24-25). Where you choose to be Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening reveals your priorities. Instead, use these activities for good!

10. Missing Opportunities. With all the hustle and bustle comes many wonderful opportunities to do good. Instead of your family keeping you from worship services or Bible class, invite them to hear the good news with you. Surely you can spare a plate of the cookies coming out of the oven to talk to a neighbor and invite them to services. When you budget for presents, leave space to give to someone in need. Always attempt to meet their spiritual needs along with their physical ones.

11. Alcoholism. With the Christmas party generally comes the alcohol. The Bible commands us to be sober (I Thessalonians 5:6). The word for sober is nepho which means to completely abstain from alcohol. When tempted to take part in the alcoholic rituals of Christmas, you should choose to completely abstain. There are many delicious holiday non-alcoholic beverages to choose from.

12. Pharisaism. Some in the church have decided not to celebrate Christmas because of these dangers. There is nothing “unChristian” about ignoring Christmas. It is a man-made holiday and should be treated as such. However, this is a personal choice. To bind as a command the decision not to celebrate Christmas is an act akin to the doctrine of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. We have the right to esteem one day over another as long as we don’t bind it as doctrine (Romans 14:5). God’s law does not keep us from the secular observance of Christmas.

by Ross HaffnerPosted on Posted in Bible, Faith, God, Reverence, Salvation — No Comments ↓

Bible believers recognize that a closeness with God is necessary. A nearness to God will keep us from sin (James 4:8). His presence brings comfort in the darkest of times (Psalm 139:1-5). All say that a close relationship with God is essential for the Christian, but how that closeness is attained and manifested is a different matter. How are we to draw near to God?

We do not draw near to God with trite sayings, empty confessions, or verbose theological statements. Some think by uttering shallow statements that are pleasing to the ear but bereft of any substance they become closer to their Creator. Others seek to impress with flowing sentences of theological jargon. Still, others think that as long as they claim Jesus as Lord they are wrapped close in His salvation. None of these help man grow closer to His God. Matthew 7:21 teaches that not everyone who claims Jesus as Lord will be saved. Likewise we are warned of “vain babblings” (I Timothy 6:20; II Timothy 2:16).

We do not draw near to God with casual prayers. Some believe that if they treat God as a close friend in their prayers they are exhibiting a great level of closeness. Some have even dared to address Him as “daddy.” While God is our Father and loves us as children, He commands our deepest respect as the all-powerful Judge and Creator of all. Reverence is lost when we become casual with God. When Israel came to Mount Sinai God spoke to Moses saying, “Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death” (Exodus 19:10-12). You do not run up to God to give Him a hug. You love Him as your Father, and He loves you as His child, but you  must respectfully fear His boundaries.

We do not draw near to God with emotion. We will experience emotion as we live the Christian life, but we cannot mistake that as a sign of holiness because emotion will betray us. Through Jeremiah’s pen God said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

We draw near to God with our obedience. Trite sayings, empty confessions, and verbose theological statements may fool man into thinking that we are holy. When Jesus warned against those who only call on His name He also noted that “he that doeth the will of My Father” would enter the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21). Obedience draws us to God. Casual prayers approach the Father irreverently. Those same Jews who feared God and honored His boundaries around the mountain drew near to Him by becoming His people (Exodus 19:5). Emotions do not bring us closer to God. Instead we will be judged according our deeds (Jeremiah 17:10; II Corinthians 5:10). A close, loving relationship with God can only be had by obedience.