FROM ATHEIST TO CREATIONIST

If you don’t believe that all of creation had a creator, then the only alternative is to believe in evolution.  Rejecting the idea of “Intelligent Design,” one, of necessity, must believe that all things came into being by unimaginable numbers of happy accidents.  To do so, however, requires that one conveniently ignore facts of science.  Those who advocate the religion of evolution maintain their hold of the public’s minds by declaring evolutionary theories as facts.  Scientists who question these “facts” are ridiculed and often denied positions of influence, such as in schools where evolution is taught as reality, while evidence of creation is never to be voiced.

However, occasionally there are those who value truth above assumptions.  Such is the case with Dr. Jerry Bergman, Adjunct Ph.D, Associate Professor of Toledo Medical College in Ohio, who described his transfer from being an atheist to being a creationist in Acts & Facts Magazine (Feb., 2016).  After graduation from Wayne State University he relates that he was “involved in the atheist movement” for a time.  Along with evolution, he had accepted atheistic philosophy which came with it.  He told of the many lectures given in college supporting not only evolution but also speeches negative to Christianity.  He referred to one speaker who said “we have given Christianity 2,000 years to fix up the world, and it is high time to try atheism.”  Christianity was portrayed as the primary source for all the evils of the world.  He said, “What especially bothered me was that my atheist peers were determined to suppress Christianity by any means, legal or illegal—first by running it from the public square, then in the private domain.  Atheists seemed to feel that the ends justified the means, so they ruthlessly thought to crush Christianity.  I soon realized this goal was evil because in the end it always did more harm than good—and yet it has been tried in many places.”

He relates that he began to see many major problems with evolution and atheism.  Among these is the scientific fact that mutations, which are essential for the evolutionary hypothesis, are 99.9% “neutral, harmful, or lethal,” not beneficial.  He writes, “Consequently there is no way that life could have first evolved 3.5 billion years ago and still be around today because life would have become extinct long ago from genetic meltdown and cell catastrophe.”  He also referred to “the discovery of soft tissue in dinosaur bones that were claimed to be over 65 million years old.  This is a problem because destructive forces such as cosmic rays would have destroyed soft tissue long ago.”  He concluded by saying, “Like many scientists who came before me, I discovered that the evidence supports the truth of the Bible.”  It pains me to think that children in our tax-supported schools and universities are daily shielded from the evidence for creation, and their minds are being warped to accept atheistic philosophy which would darken their minds against God and His word.  Parents who speak out against such are branded as ignorant and even abusive to their children.      

Ron Bartanen                                              

The Hammer God Chose

Jeremiah 51:20-23

Most of us have been handed a job we didn’t feel ready for. Not enough training. Not enough confidence. Not enough of whatever the moment seemed to require. We look at what needs doing and wonder why anyone thought we were the right person for the job.

Jeremiah closes his book with a long oracle against Babylon, the empire that had crushed Jerusalem and carried God’s people into exile. Chapters 50 and 51 promise that the empire’s day is coming. And in the middle of that promise, God names the exact instrument He will use to bring it down.

“You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms” (Jer. 51:20, ESV). Most who study this passage agree God is speaking to Cyrus, king of the Medes and Persians, the man who would eventually conquer Babylon. Four times in three verses the same phrase repeats: with you I break in pieces. Horse and rider. Old man and youth. Shepherd and flock. Farmer and team. Nothing Babylon depends on survives what this hammer touches.

Here’s what should stop us. Cyrus didn’t know this God. He wasn’t a covenant king. He wasn’t seeking Israel’s Lord, and he almost certainly had no idea he was being used by Him. And still, God calls him mine. My hammer. My weapon.

If God could take a pagan emperor who didn’t know Him and use him to reshape the ancient world, what does that say about the excuse we reach for? I’m not spiritual enough. I don’t have what this needs. Someone else should do this, not me. Read that carefully. If God can use Cyrus, with all his ignorance and none of his allegiance, He can use you. You’re not the exception to what this verse proves. You may be the reason it’s in your Bible.

The difference for us is what kind of instrument we are. Cyrus was a hammer wielded from a distance, useful but unaware. We are children, cleansed from our sin, made new in Christ, enlisted in a war He has already won. And the battle we’re equipped for isn’t against flesh and blood. It’s against Satan’s kingdom, fought to free people and bring them into Christ’s instead. Every piece of armor Paul lists in Ephesians 6 is really just another name for Jesus. We don’t bring the strength to that fight. He does. We just show up wearing it.

Jeremiah has spent fifty-one chapters telling Judah what happens when a nation forgets whose hammer it is. Babylon fell because it mistook God’s power for its own. We don’t have that excuse. We know who’s holding us and what He’s already won.

So the question isn’t whether you’re strong enough for what’s ahead of you this week. It’s whether you’ll let Him swing you. -Jeff Arnette

The Hammer God Chose – Central Haywood Church of Christ

Baptism in the New Testament (2)

Baptism is a Burial

Last week we gave attention to the purpose of baptism, today we will give attention to the mode or manner in which one is baptized.

To begin, the word baptism comes from a Greek word (noun: baptisma; verb: baptidzō) that means to dip, plunge, immerse. The word does not mean and is not associated with pouring or sprinkling as a form / mode / manner of baptism. This is important to recognize because, biblically speaking, if one was “baptized” by the manner of having water poured over him or sprinkled on her, they (or that person) was not baptized after the pattern of New Testament teaching.

This makes perfect sense when one thinks about how the Holy Spirit used the word. In Romans 6, Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (6:3-4, ESV, bold added, RT).

A burial is complete covering of the deceased in a tomb above or below ground. Can you imagine seeing a limb or a portion of a cadaver sticking out above ground and hearing another saying, “Yes, we buried him yesterday!”? 

So, as one reads Colossians 2:12, we learn ... having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead (ASV). 

Not only is it used in the symbology of a burial, but also with respect to clothing. In Galatians 3:27, we learn that by faith when one is baptized he/she put on Jesus as one would put on clothing. In both figurative expressions, the idea is being fully covered, protected, and, thus, a new creation.

The aim of baptism, because of one’s faith and penitent heart, is the forgiveness of sins. Without submitting to the Lord’s teaching on the topic, one’s sins are not forgiven. Not only have we learned the aim of baptism, but we also learned the manner in which one is baptized, that is, by immersion, a burial of one’s old life (death) and resurrection of one into a new life.

JUST CHRISTIANS

If you were asked what you are religiously, what would be your answer?  Most, if they would be members of any “church”, would probably reply by giving the name of their denomination.  This, however, would not have been so in the first-century church, for denominations were then non-existent.  While, at first, the early converts to Christ were Jewish, the gospel soon was preached also to gentiles, but the idea of a “Jewish Church” and a “Gentile Church” would have been completely foreign to God’s plan for “one fold’ (the church) and one Shepherd (Christ)” (John 10:16).   Jesus, on the evening He was betrayed, prayed for believers: “That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us,, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me” (John 17:21).  While there were different terms used in relation to believers in Christ, such as “body of Christ,” “the Way,” and “disciples” of Christ, the one that would be most significant was the name “Christian,” designating those who were followers of Christ.  As the church began to include gentiles in the fold, and the apostle Paul began fulfilling his calling to “bear (Christ’s) name among the gentiles” (Acts 9:15), Luke tells us that “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).  Peter would later admonish suffering believers, writing that  if any would suffer as a Christian, he should not be ashamed, but rather, “glorify God in that name” (1 Pet. 4:16b, ESV).  Denominational names are divisive and sectarian in nature, and are far from glorifying God.  The name “Christian” in no way should divide true Christians from one another, but only to recognize the believer’s separation from a non-believing world. 

In the New Testament, which is our authority for our faith and practice, all who believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God who died for their sins and was raised again, repented of their sins, unashamedly confessed Him, and were buried with Him in baptism were just Christians—neither more nor less.  (cf. Acts 11:26; 28; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39).  Why should it be otherwise today? If you respond in faith and obedience to the gospel as they did, you would become what they were Christians.  If you would “in word and deed, do all in the name of (by the authority of) the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17), continuing in His word, you will continue to simply be what they were—Christians.  Jesus’ words to His followers then should yet be heeded today: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31), and as a disciple, bear the name “Christian” (Acts 11:26).            –Ron

 

THE SOWER: Ron Bartanen (Milton, Florida; Email: ron33dor@yahoo.com)

Baptism in the New Testament (1)

The other day on the Facebook page Friends of the Restoration, there was a post concerning Alexander Campbell on the topic of baptism / rebaptism, something to which I want to give attention. Before I do, however, I want to briefly consider the purpose of baptism in the New Testament.

First, there is the baptism of repentance preached by John. I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire (Matthew 3:11, ASV). What is the baptism John preached? The word unto in this passage means with a view to or, in other words, baptism with a view to (toward) repentance. John called upon the community to change their way of thinking and living, looking forward to the One he proclaimed, for with Him, He brings the kingdom of God.

Second, there is the baptism unto remission of sins Peter preached in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost. The word unto is a significant word here also. Years ago Mac Layton produced a track “What Does Acts 2:38 Mean?” wherein he gave us 37 renderings of the verse in languages such as Syriac, French, Indian, English, German, Spanish, etc. How did the verse read in all these translations? Not once did it ever read, And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ because your sins have already been forgiven.” The English word for has been manipulated by many to mean because, something the New Testament does not (never did) teach. The ESV reads this way, “And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If the English word for meant because then one can be certain an English translation would have so rendered it – but not one did (in so far as I am aware).

This is not an unimportant point of emphasis! There are some denominations that teach one is baptized because their sins have already been forgiven, refusing to see that the wording of Acts 2:38 corresponds exactly as the words of our Lord in Matthew 26:28. Notice: …for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (ESV, emphasis added, RT).  If it means because one’s sins have already been forgiven in Acts 2:38, then it means the same in Matthew 26:28.

If people would just read and obey the Lord’s will as He expressed Himself on the topic and in the way He said we are to do it, there would be no questions concerning what He meant. As it is, because of a theological position to maintain, people miss the simple teachings of the New Testament. 

-Ron Thomas

Preacher, Rio Grande Church of Christ (etsop95@gmail.com) 

Living in the Now

As a child, we are familiar with longing for the next age. When I was 15, I couldn’t wait to be 16 and drive. When I was 17, I couldn’t wait till 18. Then, I could vote and go off to college. As a parent, it’s a similar view. If we can just get to that next stage, when she sleeps through the night, or he is out of diapers. Now, the stages are getting a child trained through high school, getting another child through college, and continuing to be a source of encouragement for one whose schooling is completed! If I am not careful, I can still look forward to the next stage view. As a Christian, I need to learn to live in the now.

This is a complaint against Christians. We tend to look back or look ahead and miss what is right before our eyes. Honestly, the same complaint could be leveled at all people. As Christians, we look back to the cross. We look forward to heaven. Those are great blessings and should not be taken for granted. Keep in mind, there are many blessings right before our very eyes.

Here are some passages that come to mind. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 NIV). When I worry, I am borrowing tomorrow’s troubles today. “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24 NIV). Be thankful for your food. Enjoy it. Hopefully, you find satisfaction in your work. I have always felt for people who did not find pleasure in their profession. A person has to work, but it is really a chore when you don’t gain satisfaction from a job well done.

Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the door,” “I am the gate,” “I am the bread of life,” and “I am the good shepherd,” just to name a few. Notice, he does not state it, “I was,” or “I will be.” He always uses the present tense. In our hymns we sing, “Bow before the Great I Am.” “The Great I Was,” or “The Great I Will Be” doesn’t have the same ring to it. As Christians, we should reflect on the past of Christ on the cross. We should look forward to eternity in heaven. God has also blessed us to enjoy the present. As the old saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Whether it’s gathering for worship, an evening with friends, a family get together, working on a project, reading a good book, taking a hike in the park, fishing at the lake or watching a ball game; time flies and you are taking in the now. Be thankful to God for it!

Jimmy Hodges

The Church was Established at the Right Time

We live in a world where complaining comes easily. We complain about slow service, frustrating work situations, government inefficiency, and any number of daily inconveniences. Sadly, that same spirit can sometimes find its way into the church. Members may complain about leadership; leaders may complain about members. Yet Paul wrote, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Phil. 2:14). If we are going to help the church grow, grumbling will not do it. Instead, we need to focus on what is right with the church.

One great truth is this: the church was established at the right time. Long before Acts 2, God had revealed both the time and place of the coming kingdom. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a great image representing successive world kingdoms. Daniel identified Babylon as the first and then spoke of kingdoms that would follow. During the days of the fourth kingdom, God would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed (Dan. 2:44). History shows the succession of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. It was during Roman rule that Christ came and His kingdom began.

The place was also foretold. Isaiah said that “the word of the Lord” would go forth from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:1-4). Jesus confirmed this when He told His apostles that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-48). He told them to wait there until they received power from on high (Acts 1:4-8). Mark 9:1 promised that some standing with Jesus would live to see the kingdom come with power. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles in Jerusalem, Peter preached the gospel, and about three thousand souls were added. The church had begun—at the right time, in the right place, and according to God’s promise.

This was not an accident of history. Paul wrote, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4). God’s timing is never late and never premature. He had prepared the world for the spread of the gospel. The great empires had contributed to the conditions of that day. The Greeks spread a common language, Koine Greek, which made communication across nations easier and preserved the New Testament message with clarity. The Romans built roads and provided a measure of order that allowed the gospel to travel rapidly throughout the empire. Even the Jewish dispersion had placed synagogues in many cities, giving early preachers places to begin teaching about Christ.

God’s plan unfolded exactly as He intended. The church was not a last-minute response to human failure. It was part of His eternal purpose, revealed through prophecy and fulfilled in Christ. In the church, Jew and Gentile are brought together in one body and reconciled to God through the cross (Eph. 2:14-16). In Christ, we have redemption through His blood, and God is gathering all things together in Him (Eph. 1:7- 10). We may find plenty of things in life to complain about, but the Lord’s church should not be one of them.

It was established by God, promised by the prophets, purchased by the blood of Christ, and opened to all who will obey the gospel. Just as the church was established at the right time, now is the right time for us to be in Christ. Why wait? Come to Him, and be added to the body of the saved. 

Dale J. Babinsky

Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ; 3078 Veterans Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 865.428.9749; Church@gsmchurchofchrist.com