Who Will Stand in the Gap?

By Joe Slater     Ancient cities relied on fortified walls for security. Unlike brick walls on modern houses, these walls were scores of feet high and thick enough for residences to be located within them.     Punching through such a wall required siege engines, battering rams, and a great deal of time! But once a gap (breach) was made, enemy troops could pour into the city. Defenders needed to stand in the gap to prevent such a calamity and repair the breach. Such work endangered one’s life, but an open breach spelled the end of the city.     God’s word likens the wickedness of His people to a gap in the wall. “Therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach (gap) ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly in an instant” (Isaiah 30:9). God would send enemy nations to chasten them, endangering their physical wellbeing. But of greater concern, was their spiritual, eternal condition. Therefore, He sought faithful people to stand in the gap, promoting righteousness by example and by teaching. Tragically, “I sought for a man . . . who would . . . stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30).     Where are the men and women of God today who will stand in the gap? We have a morality gap where good and evil are reversed. We have a doctrine gap where the word of God is sacrificed on the altar of cultural change. We have an integrity gap where professing Christians, especially religious leaders, are fleecing the sheep rather than feeding them, often being caught up in criminal activity and sexual misconduct.     Indeed, where are the men and women of God today who will stand in the gap? Will you?

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Lakeside Church of Christ in Springfield, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://www.lakesidecoc.us/

Thoughts on Threescore and Ten

By Joe Slater “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10, KJV).     I reached my threescore and ten a few days ago. That milestone gives me pause to reflect a bit. By God’s grace I’m in fairly decent health, so look out, fourscore, here I come!     When Moses wrote that Psalm, he was already well above eighty years old. He would survive to 120! But he had lived through some frightfully difficult times as he led the Israelites through the wilderness. Their persistent rebellion had brought God’s wrath down upon them again and again! Multitudes had died before their time. The average human life span would continue to plummet for a good while.     My own life has been far less turbulent, though not without its trials. I’ve been blessed to do the work I love for over 46 years. I’m not naïve enough to think I have 46 more to continue working! If I’m to accomplish anything for the Lord, the time is now. Then again, that has always been the case.     Only one life         Twill soon be past     Only what’s done         For Christ will last (C. T. Studd)     Faith, family, and friends surpass all else in importance. I’ve always “known” that, but every passing year makes it clearer. I hope that’s true for you as well.

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Lakeside Church of Christ in Springfield, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://www.lakesidecoc.us/

Love for the Lost

By Joe Slater “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).     September is upon us; autumn will arrive before we know it. Any fall crops still in the field will be harvested.     Jeremiah, “the weeping prophet,” lamented the condition of the immoral idolaters in Judah by comparing it to a crop failure which would, of course, result in famine. Jeremiah’s people had ignored innumerable warnings. Now it was too late. The prophet envisioned invasion by the Chaldeans and the unspeakable suffering and destruction it would bring.     True to his calling, Jeremiah had thundered God’s judgments against His rebellious people. Nevertheless, as he contemplated the impending bloodbath coupled with the misery of the survivors, it broke his heart. “Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jeremiah 9:1).     Paul echoed Jeremiah’s spirit as he wrote, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). Unbelieving Israel’s lost condition caused “great sorrow and continual grief in my heart,” he wrote in Romans 9:2. Like Jeremiah, Paul had faithfully proclaimed God’s word to his fellow-Jews; and he had paid the price for it as they persecuted him.     Do you understand that every responsible person outside of Christ is lost? Does it bother you? Do you love the lost enough to speak the truth of the gospel of Christ to them? “How shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?”“ (Romans 10:14).     Think about it!

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Lakeside Church of Christ in Springfield, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://www.lakesidecoc.us/

Forget It!

By Joe Slater     If you want me to do something and I say, “Forget it!”, it means I’m not going to do that. I don’t expect you to erase your memory of what you wanted. If you tell me of a trivial offense someone committed and I say, “Forget it!”, it means put it behind you and move on. I don’t expect you to develop amnesia regarding the slight.     Forget, as used in the New Testament, doesn’t mean to erase your memory; it has more to do with not being concerned or being neglectful. After detailing the rich past he had enjoyed in Judaism Paul wrote, “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal . . .” (Philippians 3:13-14). Obviously, he still was aware of his past – he had just written about it! But it was no longer of much concern to him. In that sense he “forgot” it.     Hebrews 6:10 tells us that “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love.” God, being omniscient (all-knowing), doesn’t literally “forget” anything. But we need not be concerned that God might cease to care about the good works we do. They will always be important to Him.     Similarly, Hebrews 13:16 exhorts us not to “forget to do good and to share.” It’s highly unlikely that a Christian would become unaware that God expects us to do good and share; but we certainly can and sometimes do become neglectful of that obligation.     Should you forget some past grievances and worldly honors? Should you strive not to forget to do God’s word, practice hospitality, and labor in service go God and His people? The point isn’t mere awareness; it’s caring about truly important things while letting others go.

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Lakeside Church of Christ in Springfield, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://www.lakesidecoc.us/

How Much does Being a Christian Cost?

By Joe Slater     Eons ago, an elderly brother asked me, “what are my dues?” His physical condition and diminished mental capacity prevented his regular attendance, but on the one occasion his wife brought him to the assembly he wanted to make a financial contribution. I explained as best I could that the amount of any contribution wasn’t up to me or the church; it was between him and the Lord.     I used to be a member of a civic club. I knew exactly what the dues were to maintain my membership. But the Lord’s church isn’t a civic club. When I obeyed the gospel, nobody was standing there with his hand out to receive money. No one asked for my credit card. No one sent me an invoice.     Does it cost anything to be a Christian? No! and Yes! In one sense it costs you nothing; in another sense it costs you everything.     All the gold in Fort Knox couldn’t pay the interest on a down payment for salvation from sin. Jesus’ blood paid the atonement price; how do you put a dollar value on that? God certainly expects His people to finance His work, but we ought never to think of our contribution as purchasing a right relationship with God. Salvation really is by grace!     Yet Jesus Himself cautioned would-be disciples to “count the cost” before committing themselves. He spoke of self-denial and cross-bearing, concluding with these haunting words: “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-33).     Upon obeying the gospel, one is made free from sin, but also becomes a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). The song is true: “I am mine no more!”

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Lakeside Church of Christ in Springfield, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://www.lakesidecoc.us/

One Baptism (Part 1)

By Clifton Angel     "There is ... one baptism" (Ephesians 4:4–5). Baptism is not a mysterious word. It is simply an immersion or submersion. Therefore, sprinkling and pouring—which practices many denominations have adopted—cannot be baptism. Interestingly, though, if you search the New Testament for this word, you will find that there are multiple different baptisms, or immersions. How then can Paul say, "There is ... one baptism" (Ephesians 4:4–5)? And to which of these multiple baptisms is Paul referencing?     In your search, you should be able to find (1) baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), (2) baptism in fire (Matthew 3:11), (3) a baptism of suffering and persecution (Matthew 20:22), (4) the baptism of John (Matthew 21:25), and (5) the one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). Further study will reveal why I listed the one baptism as its own and not one of the other four.     Immersion in the Holy Spirit applied to a limited group. John said that Jesus would be the one to administer said baptism (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). Jesus told His apostles that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit a few days after His ascension (Acts 1:4–5). On said occasion, the apostles would receive "power," or abilities, from God when the Holy Spirit came upon them—immersed them (Acts 1:8).     All of this occurred and was fulfilled on that special Pentecost day, which events are recorded in Acts 2. Simply put, Christians today are not immersed in the Holy Spirit—it was for a particular and limited group.     Immersion in fire is believed by many to refer to eternal punishment in hellfire. Since Jesus is the Judge (2 Corinthians 5:10; John 12:48), then it will be He who administers baptism in fire, just as John said (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16).     The baptism of suffering and persecution was specific to the suffering and death of Christ and that which His apostles would suffer thereafter for His sake. See Matthew 20:20–23, Mark 10:35–40, and the context surrounding Luke 12:50 for further study of this baptism.     The baptism of John was immersion in water (Luke 3:16; John 1:26; 3:23; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16). It was a "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4). Paul simply called it "the baptism of repentance" (Acts 19:4). John's baptism was a preparatory baptism and not a permanent one; for, following the resurrection of Christ, John's baptism was no longer authorized (Matthew 28:18–19; Acts 2:38; Acts 19:1–5).     So, what is the one baptism, and how important is it?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

One Baptism (Part 2)

By Clifton Angel     Last week, we noted that in the New Testament, there is (1) baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), (2) baptism in fire (Matthew 3:11), (3) a baptism of suffering and persecution (Matthew 20:22), and (4) the baptism of John (Matthew 21:25). However, Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, “There is ... one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4–5). So, what is the one baptism, and how important is it?     The "one baptism" of Ephesians 4:5 is most akin to John's baptism, yet it is not John's baptism (Acts 19:1–5). Like John's, it is immersion in water (Acts 8:36–39; 10:47; 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5; John 3:3–5), but the "one baptism" is specifically in the name of—by the authority of—Christ (Acts 2:38; 19:5), which authority is united with that of the Father and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18–19). Furthermore, the "one baptism" is for (in order to obtain) remission (forgiveness) of sins” “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).     The "one baptism" is the point at which a person contacts the blood of Christ: “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16) “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation 1:5; cf. Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Romans 6:3).     The "one baptism" is the point at which a person is added to the "one church" by the Lord: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls ... Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:41, 47).     Finally, the "one baptism" is the point at which a person may confidently say, "I am saved.” “Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Some of Jesus’ final words upon the earth before He ascended to the right hand of God were these: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).     How important is the “one baptism”? It is a matter of eternal life or eternal death. What will you choose?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

One God – Part 1

By Clifton Angel     To conclude his list of items which are conducive to church unity, Paul writes, "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:6). Grammatically and contextually, "God" and "Father" are referring to the same Being—the One we sometimes call "God the Father." However, for special study purposes, I want to address these words in separate articles. So, first, we will note that there is "One God."     First, I am convinced that "God" is a description more than a name. Similarly, "human" is a description, not a name. Interestingly, He was known as “El Shaddai” (God Almighty) under the Abrahamic covenant (cf. Exodus 6:3), and the revered and oft unpronounced name under the Mosaic covenant was Jehovah (YHWH, or “Yahweh”) (cf. Exodus 6:3; Isaiah 48:2; 51:15; 54:5; Amos 4:3). “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them” (Exodus 6:2–3). “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations” (Exodus 3:13–15).     Second, "God" is a nature which only three Beings possess (Romans 1:20). Our Heavenly Father possesses God-nature. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, Who is the Word which became flesh (John 1:1, 14), possesses God-nature. The Holy Spirit, who is a Person and not an "it," possesses God-nature (Acts 5:3–4; Genesis 1:2). They are three distinct Beings, with distinct roles and works, yet They are One in nature and purpose. They never contradict One Another. Certainly, I would not be dogmatic in saying that a person is incorrect in beginning a prayer with "Dear God,” but we are specifically and exemplarily taught to pray to the "Father" (Matthew 6:9; Ephesians 3:14). We are not authorized to pray to the Holy Spirit, nor are we authorized to pray to Jesus. Rather, Jesus and the Spirit have specific roles and are involved in our prayers to the Father (cf. Romans 8:26–27, 34; 1 Timothy 2:5).

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

One God – Part 2

By Clifton Angel     There is "One God” (Ephesians 4:6). Last week, we considered how that "God" is not a name, but a description, or designation. It refers to God’s position and authority. Second, we considered how the “One God” is a nature only possessed by three: the Father (Ephesians 4:6), the Son (John 1:1, 14), and the Spirit (Acts 5:3–4). Furthermore, let us consider the unity referenced by the reality of “One God.”     "One God" or "One LORD" in many passages refers to the unity and exclusivity of the Godhood, not the quantity of Beings which possess It. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6:4, KJV). In the ASV, this passage is translated more literally: "Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah." Furthermore, in the ASV, there is a footnote that provides other ways to translate this passage in the English: "Or, Jehovah our God, Jehovah is one Or, Jehovah is our God, Jehovah is one Or, Jehovah is our God, Jehovah alone."     Why did Moses have to give this message to the children of Israel? First, they were once under bondage to a people—the Egyptians—who idolized earthly things and beings as if these had God-nature. Second, the Israelites were about to enter a land flowing with milk and honey, which was inhabited by people—the Canaanites, et. al.—who idolized earthly things and beings as if these had God-nature. In our English Bibles, they are often called "other gods." Notice the words of the prophet Jeremiah, "Shall a man make unto himself gods, which yet are no gods?" (Jeremiah 16:20, ASV). Furthermore, consider Paul's words to the churches of Galatia: "When ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods" (Galatians 4:8). "No gods" in those passages could also be translated "not God." They do not have God-nature, nor are they even living beings. They are purely manufactures of the mind of man. Furthermore, I encourage you to notice how much disunity and contradiction there is within systems of idolatry. Many "gods" of man's manufacture are beings which fight each other, contradict each other, and are quite limited in their abilities. Such is not the case with the one, true, almighty, and eternal God of heaven.     The reality, exclusivity, and unity of our God should cause us to want to know Him, grow closer to Him, communicate with Him, and serve Him, and be united with Him. There is "One God" (Ephesians 4:6). Is He the God that you serve (cf. Joshua 24:15).

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

One Father: Part 1

By Clifton Angel     There is "One ... Father" (Ephesians 4:6). Spiritual unity can only be obtained by submitting ourselves to the will of the One Father of Heaven (Matthew 7:21). Sadly, many call Jesus their Lord but do not do the Father's will.     Some claim Jesus as their Lord but follow the will of their earthly father. Obedience to parents is a command from God (Ephesians 6:1). Family allegiance is natural and important. However, when a person places their earthly father's will above their Heavenly Father's will, God is not obeyed and God is not pleased. Many do this by choosing a church because their family went there, instead of it being a choice based upon Biblical conviction. Many do this by avoiding the church because their family never went to church. Many do this by refusing the truth, because it would mean their family before them was wrong. Earthly fathers are important and needed; yet, they are not to be placed above our Heavenly Father. Jesus said, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37).     Some claim Jesus as their Lord but follow a spiritual father upon this earth. Spiritual leadership is so important. Growing Christians need guidance and support, like that which Paul provided Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2). Sadly many leaders are leading their "sons" in a faith which is not God's. One of the most explicit examples would be Catholicism. For, the adherents even call their spiritual leaders "father." Unfortunately, they may be the closest thing to a modern-day sect of Pharisees. Jesus said of the Pharisees, "all their works they do for to be seen of men" (Matthew 23:5). It is apparent that they taught their followers to refer to them as "fathers," for Jesus plainly rebuked them: "call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" (Matthew 23:9). Others in the religious world have spiritual "fathers," whom they may not refer to as father, that lead them contrary to the will of our Heavenly Father. Oftentimes, they refer to them as "my pastor," or "my preacher." If ever a spiritual "father" is made one's sole authority for what one believes, said follower is in tremendous danger.

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

One Father: Part 2

By Clifton Angel     There is "One ... Father" (Ephesians 4:6). Spiritual unity can only be obtained by submitting ourselves to the will of the One Father of Heaven (Matthew 7:21). Sadly, many call Jesus their Lord but do not do the Father's will. Last week, we noted that some claim Jesus as their Lord but follow the will of their earthly father (cf. Matthew 10:37), and some claim Jesus as their Lord but follow a spiritual father upon this earth (cf. Matthew 23:9).     Some claim Jesus as their Lord but follow their father the devil. The latter two scenarios are both under the umbrella of this fatherhood, if they found in contradiction with will of the One Father in Heaven. Jesus plainly said to the Pharisees, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do" (John 8:44). Those who make the devil their father are dishonest and deceived. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day ofter were looked to as religious leaders. Yet, dishonestly and deceivingly, they added to and took away from the law of God in order to establish their own standard of righteousness. Jesus said, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). He would then go on to teach His listeners how to combat and overcome the dishonest and deceiving teachings of the Pharisees (cf. Matthew 5:21–7:27). Furthermore, those who make the devil their father are those who love the world. "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:15–17). In order to combat the desires of the things of this world, we must grow closer to our Heavenly Father and set our minds on the things where He is: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1–3).     Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Do you claim Jesus as your Lord? Do you follow the Heavenly Father Who sent Him?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/