Back To “The Way” Through Bible Authority XII
Carlos Aguilar

Continuing in our description of church membership as practiced in the New Testament times we have covered, “hearing” the word of God, “believing” that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God, and “repentance.” These steps put you on the road to membership and salvation. I have also mentioned the latter part of Acts 2:47 in each of theses articles. It says, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” It is God who adds to the church those who are going to be saved. The next step we see non-Christians in the New Testament engaging in is “confession.”

Jesus states in Matt 10:32, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Jesus loudly and clearly proclaims that confession is a necessary part of salvation, necessary because of the commitment, which it evokes from the one doing the confessing. There is no longer any doubt whose side you are on. You have publicly acknowledged that you are a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ your Lord and the Son of God.

The term defined confession means, "to say the same thing as another, to agree with, assent, to profess, not to deny. All the word really means is that when someone says something, you agree with it, and go forth speaking the same way, and the same things. Notice what Paul said in Rom 10:9-10-“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Confession is crucial to our souls salvation.

Like faith and repentance, confession is not a one-time thing that never needs to be repeated and has no influence upon our life as a Christian. In I Tim 6:12-14 Paul uses the confession that Timothy made so many years earlier as motivation for him to keep the commandment. Paul says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing.” What is he referring to here? Timothy, as have all Christians confessed that Jesus is Lord, Christ, and King. Upon that confession the individual automatically binds upon himself all laws and commands of Christ. Jesus said in Matt 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (See also Luke 6:46).

Note the thought of Heb 3:1-3, “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.” These verses stress faithfulness in the high priest of our confession. Notice the emphasis in Heb 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This is part of what God has decreed will make you a member of His church and save your soul.

Are you willing to make this great confession before mankind? If so Jesus will confess your name before the Father in heaven.

Hindered Prayers
by David Lemmons

As all could see, Heather's response to the invitation on Sunday night brought several emotions to my heart.  I am grateful for the warm way in which the saints at North Marshall responded to her on that occasion. You certainly have helped Diane and me greatly in rearing up three lovely children.  Thank you so much for your loving words of encouragement spoken toward me and my family on so many occasions during the past five years.

One thing that Heather said to me Sunday night is an indicator of a high degree of spiritual maturity.  I was so proud to hear her state it.  That statement, I think, is what caused me to be unable to speak for a few seconds, but  for what must have seemed like several minutes to the assembly.  She expressed the desire that her prayers would be heard by God.  I believe her statement reveals that she was indeed listening to the sermon of the evening about intercessory prayer. 

As we go about our daily affairs, we come into contact with so many precious souls for whom we feel great sympathy and concern about the
problems they are facing.  What an advantage it is to know that, as children of God, we have the blessed privilege to intercede in behalf of
those with special needs.  Does it not help us, and is it not a special perk, to be able to say to our friend, neighbor, or relative, "I'LL BE
PRAYING FOR YOU?"  Is it not an exceptional delight to know that we can go before the very throne room of God with boldness in the behalf of our burdened companions (Heb 4:16)?

However, let us understand clearly that this privilege of prayer is not one universally available.  The mindset of our society is that just anyone and everyone has the right to pray.  The view that anyone can pray to God and expect those prayers to be heard is a thoroughly popular one, but it is also, a view that is quite unsubstantiated by Bible teaching.  It is no part of the doctrine of Christ.

Does God hear the prayers of an alien sinner?  An alien sinner is one who has never obeyed the gospel of Christ.  Paul defines an alien sinner this way. Eph 2:12--“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from
the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”  Are we to believe that such a person is on praying terms with the holy and righteous God of heaven (Isa 6:3; 59:1-2)?  An alien sinner is one who has never become a child of God--God is not his father.  God is his Creator or Maker, but NOT his
SPIRITUAL FATHER!  Surely no one would deny that God's hearing or answering prayer falls into the category of spiritual blessings.  Paul teaches clearly that all spiritual blessings are IN CHRIST.  Consider how we are taught to address God in prayer.  Jesus teaches us we are to pray. Our Father which art in heaven (Mt 6:9ff).  The alien sinner cannot so
address God because he is not yet a child of God.  Consider in whose name the prayer is being prayed.  Does the alien sinner really think that he can approach God in prayer through Christ as Mediator, when he has spurned
the very truth that saves?  We are taught in 1 John 2:1 that Jesus is an Advocate, but only to Christians, not to aliens.  Consider for what a
sinner might pray.  He may not pray for remission of sins for this comes to believers by repentance and baptism according to Acts 2:38.  Aliens may not pray for SONSHIP.  Aliens may not pray for KINGDOM ENTRANCE--that
comes only through the new birth (Jn 3:3-5). Aliens may not pray for salvation--BELIEF AND BAPTISM are the conditions for salvation (Mk 16:16).

Furthermore, consider the following texts which deny that sinners have the right of prayer (Ps 34:15-16; Ps 66:18; Prov 15:29; 28:9; Jn 9:31-33; 1 Pt 3:12). Alien sinners are not the only ones who are excluded from having prayers to God heard.  Listen to the Apostle Peter. 1 Pet 3:7-- “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” This statement makes clear that the prayer of the Christian can be hindered.  Satan knows the power of prayer and he knows how to put temptations to sin before saints to cause their prayers to be hindered.

Brethren, the only way for a Christian to deal with sin is to turn from it and confess it.  It was necessary for brother Simon to do so in Acts
8:22-- “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”  It is likewise required for us to do the same if we would maintain an open channel of communication to the Father in heaven.  Listen to what the beloved Apostle John wrote. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 Jn 1:6).  In order to
communicate with the Father in prayer, we must be walking with Him in the light (v. 7).  We must be willing to confess our sins if we wish to have
forgiveness of them and fellowship with the Father-- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9).  The sin needs to be confessed and acknowledged as widely as it was committed.

The person who has obeyed the gospel and then become unfaithful to the Lord has done a very ugly thing else Peter would never have selected the word picture he did in describing this behavior in 2 Peter 2:20-22.  When the erring Christian "comes to himself/herself" (cf., Lk 15:17), perhaps by considering what great harm his polluted influence has done to the precious body of Christ (precious because of the ransom paid to purchase it, (Acts 20:28), a godly sorrow will overcome the person and bring about a
change in the mind (2 Cor 7:10) about the sins committed. 

It would be only natural that the Christian who has experienced this turning away from Christ and then coming back to Him, would want to let other members of the body know about that and rejoice with them (Lk 15:8-10).  In fact that would be a tremendous aid in getting the fallen
brother or sister back into the active participation of the works of the church in the spread of the gospel.  The members of the church need to be aware of the fallen member's return so that they might come to their defense if someone criticizes this brother or sister for the PAST behavior.  It is simply a convenient way to accomplish these worthy goals to give opportunity at the singing of an invitation song during our assemblies. 

There certainly is nothing "magical" about walking down an aisle to make a public confession of sin.  I have helped erring Christians on numerous occasions to make an acknowledgment of sin to God and the church by
reading or telling the church at some assembly, on their behalf--said Christian not having gotten up from their seats.  On other occasions I have read similar statements from erring brethren who were unable, due to sickness or some other  circumstance, to be in the assembly.  I like what James writes in James 5:16  "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

It does indeed take some degree of courage to admit that I have done wrong, and to say so publicly, but not being willing to do so may even indicate a lack of full understanding about the seriousness of the offense.  When we have rebelled against the will of Almighty God, we NEED to be humbled and understand how foolish we have been. Surely going through with such practice of openly acknowledging sin will be a spiritually strengthening and soul uplifting enterprise.

If it is the case that my prayer life does not seem to be what it ought to be, perhaps it is the case that I need to examine self.  Perhaps there is sin in my life that I have not confessed.  Surely the blessing of UNhindered prayers as I intercede on behalf of others would powerfully motivate me to make such an examination!

The Bible records of only two places where Holy Spirit Baptism occurred. The first in found in Acts 2, and the second place can be found in Acts 10. It is here that we find the gospel being preached to the Gentile world through Peter the apostle unto Cornelius and his house. In verse 44, "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word ... because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit" (44,45). The account of this event is given by Peter at Jerusalem to verify that what had happened to the Jews had also happened to the Gentiles. "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning" (Acts 11:15).

The point that we need to be reminded of is this: The purpose of Holy Spirit Baptism was to confirm the word of God through the agency of men, namely the Apostles. This is what Jesus had confirmed to the apostles would take place after He ascended back to the Father.

We hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study.

2 Sam 22:31
 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. NKJV

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