November 18, 2001 Volume 2 Number 46
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1 Cor 10:1-13 is a section of scripture which describes some OT examples; namely concerning the children of Israel. This passage is intimately related to the last few verses of chapter 9:24-27. Paul had shown that self-denial is necessary to obtain one's own salvation. Apparently some felt that they were perfectly secure and had nothing to worry about so far as their own salvation was concerned. At the back of this passage there lies the over-confidence of some of the Corinthian Christians. Their point was, “We have been baptized and we are therefore one with Jesus Christ; we have partaken of the sacrament and therefore we have partaken of the body and blood of Christ; we are in Christ and Christ in us; therefore we are quite safe; we can eat meat offered to idols and take no harm; there is no possible danger for us.” But note what the apostle had to say in Ch 10:1-10. Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, (2) all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, (3) all ate the same spiritual food, (4) and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (5) But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. (6) Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. (7) And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." (8) Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; (9) nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; (10) nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.By recalling the example of Israel, Paul showed that being recipients of special privileges did not guarantee one's salvation. Thus, he showed that Israel had received a "baptism" and a "supper" just the same as the Corinthians had; nevertheless, the greater portion of them were lost. Hence, the fact that one is a recipient of special favors from God is no guarantee that he will be saved. From the example of Israel, Paul gave evidence that one can fall away from God's grace so as to be lost eternally. From that example, the Corinthians were admonished to consider that the same thing could also happen to them---they could fall from grace so as to be eternally lost. 1 Cor 10:11-13- Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.Paul related Israel's deliverance in the first four verses, than he related their overthrow in the wilderness: In verses 7-10 he brings to light some of the similarities between the children of Israel and the Corinthian brethren. He writes of their like fondness for idolatry, fornication, trying the Lord, and finally murmuring. All of this history is for our example. Certainty of Encountering Temptation None ever lived above it-David, Solomon, Moses, or any of the men of old, all had to face it. If Christ was tempted, mortal men are not exempt (John 15:20; Heb 4:15). The more active we become the more active devil becomes. There is certainty in encountering temptation because temptation plays on our weaknesses. John writes in his first epistle, “For all that is in the world-- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-- is not of the Father but is of the world. (17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn 2:16-17). Peter also writes, “For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error” (2 Pet 2:18). These were the same tactics used in Gen 3:6 when the devil tempted Eve. We read, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, [lust of the flesh] that it was pleasant to the eyes, [lust of the eyes] and a tree desirable to make one wise, [pride of life] she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate” (Gen 3:6). Another use of this plan of attack was perpetrated against our Lord in Matt 4:1-11 when he was being tempted by the devil. Satan is behind every temptation. James tells us, “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.(14) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (15) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:13-15). Paul also writes, “For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain” (1 Thess 3:5). To Be Continued ...
"You didn't say it right!" This charge is often leveled against faithful teachers of God's word. The accusation comes from those who are upset with strong Bible teaching. Circumstances may vary, but the blame game and finger pointing seem unrelenting. After Jesus resoundingly condemned those who transgressed the commandment of God for the sake of human tradition (Mat 15:1-11), the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” (Mat 15:12). Did Jesus do anything wrong? No. Did he back down? Not hardly. Instead, he further upbraided them, saying, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit” (Mat 15:13-14). Did Paul offend his astute audience on Mar's hill? Yes. Not only did he accuse them of worshipping in ignorance, but he also preached the resurrection, a doctrine that many of them considered nonsensical. Afterwards, some sneered, mocked and made fun of Paul (Act 17:32). Obviously, the apostle did something wrong -- at least the modern-day sensitive types would think so. What do we make of the charge, "You didn't say it right!"? The denominationalist will be offended when we preach on the One True Church. The faith-only advocate will be offended when we affirm the importance of baptism. Those who would involve the church in unauthorized practices will not like our approach to the issue of authority. Those who accommodate the culture will be offended when we confront the same. Those who drink, smoke, dance and gamble will not be pleased with forceful sermons on worldliness. Those who condone unscriptural divorce and remarriage will get upset when we expose their fallacious doctrines. Those who affirm that we can fellowship proponents and practitioners of error do not like old-paths preaching that clearly delineates true doctrine from false. The modern mind is far too sensitive for its own good, perceiving slights -- real or imagined -- whenever the truth is proclaimed. In contrast, divine messengers of old did not mince words. Referring to the Pharisees and Sadducees, John said, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Mat 3:7). Jesus was even more caustic, describing the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites, fools, blind guides, whitewashed sepulchers, etc. (Mat 23:1ff). In like manner, Paul addressed Elymas the magician, saying "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?” (Act 13:10). No one today, even the most militant and aggressive of preachers, is wont to use such language. Yet, such men are routinely criticized because they take a firm stand on the doctrinal and moral issues confronting the church. Yes, we must preach the truth in love, but we must preach the truth (Eph 4:15). Our speech must be seasoned with salt, but we must say what needs to be said (Col 4:6). However, we must accept the fact that our words will never be loving enough or seasoned enough to satisfy those who have compromised the word of God. Accomodationists will always fault an uncompromising messenger. They will inevitably take exception to his message, or the manner in which he presents it. Compromisers become apoplectic merely because their error is exposed. On their part, sore toes become an excuse for character assassination. When men charge "You didn't say it right!" what they really mean is "Go away and leave us alone!" Nevertheless, their true complaint is not with the messenger, but with the divine message itself. Jesus said, "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (Jn 3:20). He comforted his disciples by saying, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (Jn 15:18-19). Therefore, let us put on the whole armor of God, and stand firm in defense of the truth (Eph 6:13), earnestly contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jud 1:3). There is no reason to "beat around the bush," "soft-peddle" the truth, or preach in muted tones. Those with good and honest hearts will be receptive; those who are defiant and rebellious will be resentful. These alternative responses are not determined by the method or manner in which truth is presented, but rather in the attitude and outlook of the hearer. Remember that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12). Sometimes opposition comes from without, sometimes it comes from within. Regardless of the source, let us not be swayed or intimidated by such criticism. Whether the enemies of truth hurl slings and arrows, or the verbal equivalent of the same, let us be willing to suffer hardship as good soldiers of Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:3) "Nebraska
Man" Nebraska Man was discovered in 1922 by Harold Cook in the Pliocene deposits of Nebraska. A tremendous amount of literature was built around this supposed missing link which allegedly lived 1 million years ago. The evidence for Nebraska Man was used by evolutionists in the famous Scopes evolution trial in Dayton, Tennessee, in 1925. William Jennings Bryan was confronted with a battery of "great scientific experts" who stunned him with the "facts" of Nebraska Man. Mr. Bryan had no retort except to say that he thought the evidence was too scanty and to plead for more time. Naturally, the "experts" scoffed and made a mockery of him. After all, who was he to question the world's greatest scientific authorities? But, what exactly was the scientific proof for Nebraska Man? The answer is a tooth. That's right; he found one tooth! The top scientists of the world examined this tooth and appraised it as proof positive of a prehistoric race in America. What a classic case of excessive imagination! Years after the Scopes trial, the entire skeleton of the animal from which the initial tooth came was found. As it turns out, the tooth upon which Nebraska Man was constructed belonged to an extinct species of pig . The "authorities," who ridiculed Mr. Bryan for his supposed ignorance, created an entire race of humanity out of the tooth of a pig! What an embarrassment to the scientific community and a noteworthy commentary on our human nature. Needless to say, little publicity was given to the discovered error. Surely, there is a lesson here for us concerning the reliability of so-called "expert testimony," which is so often used to manipulate and intimidate the layman. A similar discovery, which was also based upon a tooth, was the Southwest Colorado Man. It is now known that this particular tooth actually belonged to a horse! How resourceful and imaginative scientific "experts" can be at times. Give them a tooth, not necessarily human, and they can create an entire race of prehistoric humanity. (Scott M. Huse, The Collapse of Evolution, pp. 97-98.) The Spirit Expressly
Says ... Who is A Christian? Are you a "Christian?" Are you willing to let the Bible to decide the answer to this question? The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us just who is a Christian. Christians are: "...those who have been enlightened" (Heb.6:4). "...and have tasted of the heavenly gift" (Ibid). "...and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit" (Ibid). "...and have tasted the good word of God" (Heb.6:5). "...and the powers of the age to come" (lbid). Come learn more about New Testament Christianity from the Bible. We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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