Authority In Religion (No. 1)

                                                   


                                  What Is Authority?

     Authority is important in both the physical and spiritual aspects of life.
It is especially important in the realm of religion. In the absence of authority
anarchy will reign. There will be lawlessness and disorder. This was true
at one point in the history of ancient Israel. "In those days there was no
king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (Judges
17:6; 21:25) Those who desire to please the Lord, never want to "do
what is right in their own eyes." They want to know, believe, and do the
will  of  the  Lord, and  in doing so, they must act by his authority. I want
to re-emphasize some of the sacred principles pertaining to authority in
this series of articles. Each generation must be taught all the truth all over
again or apostasy will be the inevitable result. (Judges 2:6-15)

     The English word authority means, "the power or right to give commands,
enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions; jurisdiction."
(Webster's New World Dictionary, page 94) Therefore, the basic concept 
involves having the power or right to act.

     The idea of authority is also taught in the sacred scriptures. We read in
the Old Testament that Joseph told Pharaoh to "appoint overseers" over the
land of Egypt, who during the seven years of plenty, would "store up grain
under the authority of Pharaoh." (Gen. 41:35; ESV, NIV-2011, NASB)
The ASV chooses to be literal and says, "under the hand of Pharaoh." The
Hebrew word translated "authority" or "hand" is yad and it has a wide range
of meanings. In the Genesis text it means authority, jurisdiction, or command.
There are various ways the Hebrew text connotes the concept of authority.
It may as in this case use a word, or an entire phrase may suffice. In Isaiah
22:21 Yahweh says, Shebna's "authority" (ESV) would be committed to
Eliakim the son of Hilkiah , and on his shoulder would be placed "the key of
the house of David." The ASV uses the word "government" instead of authority.
The Hebrew word translated "authority" or "government" is memshalah. It
refers to dominion, government, rule, and by extension, authority.

     The New Testament also contains the concept of authority. Jesus taught as
one having authority. (Mat. 21:29) The chief priests and elders of the people
questioned the authority of Jesus. (Mat. 21:23-27) A centurion told Jesus
that he was a man "set under authority." (Luke 7:8) Jesus said that all authority
had been given to him. (Mat. 28:18) The Greek word translated authority in
all these instances is exousia. It means power, right, authority. Exousia can
connote a state of control over something, freedom of choice (Jno. 10:18);
potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power
(Mat. 9:8); the right to control or command, authority, absolute power, warrant
(Mark 6:7); power exercised by rulers or others in high position by virtue of their
office, ruling power, official power (Luke 20:20); bearer of ruling authority...
officials, government (Rom. 13:1,2,3) ; and the sphere in which power is
exercised, domain (Col. 1:13). (cf. A Greek-English Lexicon Of The New
Testament And Other Early Christian Literature, Third Edition, BDAG,
pages 352-353)

     The idea of authority is also conveyed by the use of phrases in the New
Testament. Paul said that God "seated him (Christ) at his right hand in the
heavenly regions, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion."
God "put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head
over all  things..."  (Eph. 1:20-22)  Paul  is  writing  about  the  supreme
authority  that  has been granted to our blessed Lord Jesus. Paul  told  the
brothers and sisters in Colossae, "And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him." (Colossians 3:17) When a person does everything "in the name of the
Lord Jesus, he does it by the authority of the Lord Jesus. He acts by divine
warrant or right! Christians are followers of Christ, and as such they come
under the authority of the Lord. Everything the believer does or says ought to
be in harmony with the lordship of Jesus. Therefore, the entire life of the
believer is placed under obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
                                                                                                         RD
 Copyright 2011
     

The "One" Body

     Paul, the Lord's apostle, said "There is one body" in his masterful letter
to the Ephesians. (Eph. 4:4) Most  of  the denominational  world  agrees
in general terms with Paul's words.  As a matter of fact, I do not recall ever
having discussed Paul's statement with a denominationalist who disagreed
with it. The reason is, most people who are in sectarian churches believe
the  "one body"  is   the  universal  body  of  Christ  that  consists  of  all
denominations.They believe that the spiritual body of Christ is made up
of Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian,
Pentecostal, and all other denominational churches. Can this belief be
sustained by the sacred scriptures?

     First, Paul himself plainly identifies the "one body" of (Eph. 4:4). In the
same letter he says, "And he put all things in subjection under his feet, and
gave him to be head over all things to the congregation, which is his body,
the fulness of him that fills all in all." (Eph. 1:22-23) What is commonly called
the church (that is assembly, congregation, or group of the saved) is the one
body. So, when Paul says that there is "one body," the meaning is there is one
church or congregation of saved people! The Lord's congregation does not
consist of churches, it is made up of individual members. Therefore, we do
not read of "congregations of the church of Christ" in the New Covenant.
We do read that "the congregations of Christ greet you." (Rom. 16:16) The
reference is to local congregations that are independent and autonomous.
There is no hood of churches. We read of a "brotherhood" not a "churchhood."
(1 Pet. 2:17)

     Another point for us to consider is, Paul said, "There is one body." He
did not say there are two, three, a hundred, or a thousand bodies. He said
there is one body. One is one more than zero and one less than two, hence
it is singular! The apostle has already identified the "body" as the "congregation"
or "church," so when he says there is one body, he is saying there is one
church or congregation of saved people. There was a time when the Lord's
disciples believed and taught this important truth. Now, there are some who
are determined to appear peaceful to the denominational world and they
rarely   preach  sermons or teach  Bible  classes  devoted  to  discussing
this fundamental doctrine. I believe with all my heart that the New Testament
teaches there is only one body, which is the church or congregation of Christ,
that Jesus is its head, and that no other religious body is acceptable to the
great God of heaven. (Matthew 16:18; Eph. 5:23-27; Col. 1:18,24, et.al)

     Second, we can also be certain that the "one body" does not consist of
any denominations because no denominations existed when Paul wrote
those words. If  you  believe  they  did  exist, what passage in the New
Testament identifies them? Which passage implies that they are authorized
to exist? No denominations existed for several centuries after the apostolic
age! They were all started by human beings; they are perpetuated by
human beings, and they will partake of the same judgment that the schemes
and doctrines of men will receive on the last great day of human history!
(Matthew 7:21-23; 15:13-14)

     There was "one body" when the apostles lived, and there is "one body"
now. Denominations are not part of the one body now, they never have been
part of that for which Jesus Christ died, and they never will be part of the
one body of Christ.
                                                                                               RD

Copyright 2011

The Importance of Context

     What is context? The Second College Edition of the American Heritage
Dictionary says on page 316, that context is, "The part of a written or
spoken statement in which a word or passage at issue occurs and that often
specifies its meaning." (emp. mine RD) The part of the definition that says
"and that often specifies its meaning" is true in the field of biblical studies
as it is in political, historical, and linguistical studies.

     It is impossible to overstate the importance of observing the context when we
study the sacred writings. Studying the context is one of the key elements that
assists in understanding and applying the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) If a person
does not pay careful attention to the context of a passage of scripture, he will
almost certainly reach an uninformed interpretation. No one has the right to
mishandle the word of God. (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2)

     Sometimes people see things in the biblical text that are not there. Sometimes
people "snatch" a word, phrase, or text from its context and build a system of
doctrine that has no scriptural basis in fact! It has been rightly said that, "A text
taken out of context becomes a pretext."

     I have heard Pentecostals quote 1 Cor. 14:1 and say, "The Bible says, 'desire
earnestly spiritual gifts,' so we should desire to speak in tongues, prophesy, and
heal the sick." The relevant issue is not what the verse says. The problem with
the Pentecostals is, they ignore the fact that when the verse was penned by Paul,
the Corinthians could desire spiritual gifts because people could perform miracles.
The exhortation to "earnestly desire spiritual gifts" no longer applies because the
means of receiving and performing such powers has ended. The is what the
context of 1 Cor. chapters 12, 13, and 14 teaches. (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8-10)

     I have heard members of denominations and their preachers attempt to prove
that denominations have the right to exist by quoting Jesus' statement, "I am the
vine and you are the branches." (Jno. 15:5) They argue, "The branches are all
the churches, therefore all the various churches have the right to exist." They
ignore the context of Jesus' statement. Jesus was not talking to nor about
churches. The very verse they quote proves this point. It says, "I am the vine,
you are the branches: the one who abides in me, and I in him, the same bears
much fruit: for apart from me you can do nothing." Jesus is talking to the apostles
about their relationship to him.

     Sometimes people who seek to find authority for instrumental music in
worship say, "Paul speaks of the pipe, harp, and trumpet in his first letter to
the Corinthians (14:7), so it cannot be wrong to use instrumental music in
our worship." If they would pay close attention to the context, they would
notice that Paul is speaking about the secular use of such instruments, not
the religious use in the assembly. "Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear
call, who will get ready for battle?" (1 Cor. 14:8) He uses the pipe, harp,
and trumpet as examples of instruments that must play distinct sounds or
notes in order for a person to know what is being played. Just so, what
edification would result if a person in the assembly at Corinth speaks in a
language that is not known to those assembled unless someone interprets?
(1 Cor. 14:9)

     If a person has the right to indiscriminately snatch a word, phrase, or text
from its context, and interpret it accordingly, then the Bible can be forced to
mean anything that anyone wants it to mean. Such would be a great injustice
against God's holy word.

                                                                                                         RD

Copyright 2011

    

The State of the Nation

     This is not political meandering in order to bolster any political party or
agenda. I want us to stop for a moment and ask from a biblical perspective,
"What is the state of this nation?" How does God view this country?" "Is this
really a God-fearing nation?" Yahweh's view of this nation is what matters
most. It is fundamentally and eternally important!

     When we look around us we see a nation in which those who are sworn
to protect and preserve life are granted legal license to destroy it. The fact
that abortion is a reality in American society proves this. The Bible teaches
that human life begins in the womb from the earliest stages of conception.
King David gives a beautiful poetic description of his life in his mother's womb.
David speaks to Yahweh and says, "You created my inmost being; you knit
me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know it full well. My frame
was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was
woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them 
came to be." (Psa. 139:13-16; NIV 2011)

     Did  you  notice  how  David  credits  God  with  "knitting him together,"
"weaving his body together," and seeing David's "unformed body?" All of
the phrases describe the conception and development of human life in the
womb. Even before David's body had all of its members, from the earliest
stages of  his body's development, Yahweh's merciful, patient, and loving
hands were providentially preparing the way for the birth of one who would
kill a lion, a bear, and a giant! Then he would be king of God's nation and an
ancestor of the Messiah!

     Have you noticed that the pro abortionists must devaluate that which is
in the womb in order to set the stage for the slaughter of the fetus? They often
refer to the fetus as a mass, blob, matter, or some other substance. The reason
is, if those who favor abortion admit that there is human life in the mother's
womb, then the act of destroying that human life by abortion becomes murder.
According to the sacred scriptures, that which is in the mother's womb is a
"baby." (Lk. 1:41,44)

     Since, at conception, there is life in the mother's womb, and since it is human
life, and inasmuch as the life is that of innocent little human beings, then abortion
is the murder of little ones who have done nothing worthy of death. No nations
are as guilty before Yahweh as those who slaughter their innocents!

     When we look around us we see a nation in which homosexuals have more
"rights" than unborn babies. God's viewpoint of homosexuality is straightforward
and clear. In Rom. 1:26-27 God says homosexuality is impure, degrading,
shameful, and unnatural. "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts
to uncleanness, so that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves...
for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and
likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust
toward  one  another,  men  with  men  working  indecency..."  God classifies
homosexuality and lesbianism as sins against oneself, humanity, and God!

     Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians that sodomites and homosexuals will
not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) God says homosexuals, lesbians,
and other sexual perverts must turn away from their ungodliness in order to be
forgiven and have the hope of heaven.It is not an acceptable alternate lifestyle.
God did not present a male to Adam in the garden of Eden; he presented a
woman to Adam. (Gen. 2:22-23) And the name was Eve not Steve! (Gen. 3:20)
It is not Yahweh's will for men to have sex with men, nor for women to have
sex with women. God's word teaches that such is perversion. Yet, this is the
state of the nation.

     When we carefully observe the state of the nation, we also see a place in
which laziness is rewarded. We see a welfare system that virtually rewards
people for being lazy. This is not to say that some of those who receive
food vouchers and special government subsidized housing are not truly in
need, but there are many young, strong, able-bodied blacks, whites, and
hispanics who are deadbeats, triflers, and irresponsible. They steal from
the system. They, by their "beg, beg, beg...take, take, take,...no put back
into the system attitudes" are making it hard for those who really need help
to get it. I am appalled at the alarming numbers of young girls who are having
babies only for the system to "kiss their hands" and welcome them into the
cesspool of social and financial slavery! Often, they are afforded better
medical and financial treatment than people who have worked hard all
their lives.

     The  most  abject  kind  of  slavery  that  this  nation has ever tolerated
is the kind that we see unfolding before our very eyes; generations of so-
called minorities, (particularly blacks and hispanics) are enslaved to a system
that rewards them by making them slaves, and the recipients do not even see
it! As long as a person is given a fish without being taught how to fish he
will be a slave with no self respect. Give a person a fish, he eats once; teach
a person how to fish,  he eats often and when he wipes his mouth he does so
with pride.

     God's word teaches us that people who can work should work, and
those who cannot work need our help. We should teach our children and
those around us to work with their hands. (Eph. 4:28) God says, "If a
person does not provide for his own family, he has denied the faith and is
worse than an unbeliever." (1 Tim. 5:8) Those who are at the top of the
nation's welfare system would do well to heed God's command, "If any
will not work, neither let him eat." (2 Thess. 3:10) Stop feeding those who
are willfully lazy! The best way to help the lazy is to stop helping the lazy.

     Well, beloved, this is the state of the nation. It is a place where the
little unborn human beings are aborted, homosexuals and lesbians have
more rights than babies in the womb, and the lazy are rewarded and
consequently enslaved by the system. Oh how the Spirit of God must be
grieved at such ungodliness. One day human history will come to an end,
and those who have mocked God will realize that they did  the wrong
thing, for "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of human beings who suppress the truth
in unrighteousness!" (Rom. 1:18) 
                                                                                                      RD

Copyright 2011

The Man Who Knows What Jesus Doesn't Know

     According to Harold Camping, a denominational preacher, the second coming
of Christ will take place on May 21, 2011. If he really does know when the second
coming  of  Christ  will  take  place,  he  knows  something  Jesus  doesn't  know!
If he really does know that the second coming of Christ will take place on May 21,
2011, then he  has  knowledge  that  not even Jesus Christ has.  Jesus said, "But
concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor
the Son, but the Father only." (Mat. 24:36; ESV) Wouldn't it be interesting to
find out how Mr. Camping found out what only the Father knows? There's a dead
cat on the line somewhere!

   The writers of the New Testament clearly stated that the "day of the Lord will
come like a thief in the night." (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10) Notice that Paul says in
the Thessalonian passage not only that it will come like a thief, that is unannounced
with no preceding signs, but it will come like a thief in the night----suddenly and
accompanied with destruction. (cf. verse 3)  Since the Lord's second coming will
be unannounced and sudden, how does Mr. Camping know it will be on May 21,
2011? The dead cat on the line is starting to stink.

     One pathetic element about  this whole  scenario  is,  regardless  of  what  the
scriptures teach there are people who will swallow Mr. Camping's irresponsible
date setting "hook, line, and sinker." People do not like to think for themselves.
They would rather be told what to believe and practice. Jesus said, "If the blind
lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." (Mat. 15:14) Many people would rather
follow a blind person into a pit, than to follow a seeing person into the truth!

     If Mr. Camping really knows when the second coming of Christ will occur,
he is  the  smartest  man  who  ever  lived, or he has access to the mind of God
that   not   even   Christ   Jesus   has.  But,  the  truth   is,   he   really doesn't
know when that day will occur. Now, what  does  that  make  him? Yahweh
said,  "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of Yahweh does not take place
or come true, this is a message Yahweh has not spoken. That prophet has spoken
presumptuously, so do not be alarmed." (Deut. 18:22; NIV 2011)   Instead of
being the man who knows something that Jesus doesn't know, Mr. Camping joins
the ranks of  false prophets who have set dates relative to the Lord's second
coming and they all missed it by a "country mile."
                                                                                                            RD

Copyright 2011 

Singing Hymns To God

     Singing hymns to God is as important as any other act of worship. Yet, it is
often taken for granted. Apparently, many congregations and song leaders are
not aware that we are to sing about God and we are to sing to God. Let us
take note of the following passages of sacred scripture.

     "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God."
(Acts 16:25) "I will sing the praises of your name." (Rom. 15:9) "Singing and
making melody with your heart to the Lord." (Eph. 5:19) "Singing to God
with gratitude in your hearts." (Col. 3:16) "In the assembly I will sing your
praises." (Heb 2:12) "Let us offer to God a sacrifice of praise; the fruit of
lips that openly praise his name." (Heb. 13:15)

     The New Testament unquestionably teaches us that the focal point of
our singing should be God. Sing to God, sing his praises, and exalt his name.
We "speak to one another" when we sing, but we must be certain that our
songs are songs about God, to God, and for God.

     I have heard some songs in assemblies that are not to, about, or for God.
They have beautiful melodies, are easy to learn, and are quite "catchy", but
they are not "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" that are to, about, or for
God. They are generically bland, spiritually misguided, and are about people
instead of our loving creator! Let us be as careful to select appropriate songs 
for worship as we are about the teaching, giving as prospered, prayers, and the
Lord's Supper.
                                                                                                           RD

Copyright 2011

    

Worry

     Read Matthew 6:25-34. In this pericope of scripture a key word appears
six times. In the older versions we see the word "anxious" (KJV, ASV, RSV,
ESV), but in more recent versions such as the NRSV and NIV 2011 we see
the word "worry."

     Worry   is   a  translation of  the  Greek  word   merimnao. It  means  to
be uneasy in mind or spirit, and it extends the focus to worrying about meeting
one's  needs;  to  be  overly  concerned  about  things. It is appropriate to be
concerned  about  one's  health,  family,  work,  and  other  relationships and
responsibilities. The  "tricky"  part is knowing where to draw the line without
wallowing in worry.

     Most  people  never  consider  the  fact  that Jesus forbids worry just as
certainly as he forbids lying, stealing, and committing adultery. Matthew 6:25
says, "Therefore  I  tell  you, do not worry about your life..." Verse 31 says,
"Do not worry..." Verse 34 says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow..."
Why is it wrong to worry? 

     First,  worry shows a lack of confidence in God. Jesus says our heavenly
Father  feeds  the  birds,  "Are   you   not  much  more  valuable  than  they?"
(v. 26) He also says God clothes the grass of the field, "Will he not much more
clothe     you? "     (v.30)    His    point    is,    God   will      always   provide
for his own. So, why worry about that which is in God's hands? This  does  not 
mean  that we do not have  certain  responsibilities  in "making things happen."
God will feed and  clothe us through the work  of  our  own  hands (2 Thess.
3:7-10), or by assistance from others (Eph. 4:28; Jas. 2:14-17), but it is he
who provides the strength. (1 Pet. 4:11)

     Second, worry doesn't change anything in a positive way. It will change
one's mind from sound to unstable; it will change one's health from good to bad;
and it will change one's relationships. Worry-warts will find that people do not
enjoy being around them. Jesus asks, "Can any of you by worrying add a single
hour to your life?" (Mat. 6:27) Worry does not add an hour to one's life! Take
note  of  the  alternative. Worry  cannot  pay  a  debt,  save a life, strengthen a
relationship, or help a person be more faithful to God.

     Third, worry is a killer. It is a proven fact that many cases of heart attacks,
strokes,   and  some   forms  of  cancer  appear  to  be  stress  related.  Worry
compromises the  immune  system. It makes the body waste away. Worry will
make a  person   rot from  the inside out. Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry
about tomorrow, for  tomorrow  will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own." (Mat. 6:34) One  of  the greatest lessons we can learn is,
don't worry about things you cannot change. If something needs changing and
can be changed, change it, and don't worry about it. Get over it and get on with
life.

     Fourth,  people  who  worry  focus  on  the  negative  side of human 
existence. When it rains they see a flood. When it snows they see a blizzard.
When they experience pain, they see death. In their mind there is no balance.
They only see extremes. It is sad that many people allow worry to rob them
of the joy that God wants them to experience. Heaven will certainly be a place
of ultimate comfort and joy, but life on earth can also be enjoyable. Paul said,
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...Do not worry about
anything, but  in  every  situation,  by  prayer  and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding,  will  guard  your  hearts  and  your  minds  in Christ Jesus."
(Phil. 4:4-7) Let all of us remember the words of Jesus, "Do not worry."
                                                                                                 RD

Copyright 2011