March 4, 2001 Volume 2 Number 9
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The Falling Away Last weeks lesson revealed for us that God had a plan from eternity to save mankind. It was made possible and accessible through our Savior Jesus Christ. However, the means by which mankind could be blessed with salvation was to be accomplished through the church that Jesus bought with His precious blood (Acts 20:28). We also learned from the lesson that referred to the church by different names such as, body, kingdom, house of God, and being in Christ. These names describe relationships that are very important. The condition of these important relationships determines one’s eternal outcome. That is why it is critical to understand God’s plan. It is also critical to understand what man did with that plan. Shortly after the establishment of the church in 33 A.D man began to altar His plan. In fact, the Bible spoke of the time and attitude that would lead to this alteration. Paul says in 2 Thess 2:3-4, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” Note also 1 Tim 4:1-4. Paul wrote there, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.” About 120 A.D. the altering of God’s plan began. The alteration period reached its’ climax in about 606 A.D. when the first pope was elected to office (Bonnaface III). The next period in history is known as the Dark Ages. Certain men rose up to protest these changes. They started what is known as the Protestant Reformation. Men such as Martin Luther, John Knox, John Weseley and John Calvin began to split away from the Catholic Church and launch this new movement. However in their efforts to protest the changes of the Catholic Church they did not go far enough. Instead of returning to that which God established they established new ways of worshipping and serving God. We have already learned from an earlier lesson that altering God’s word in any way is condemned. Man does not have the authority to take this action. Unfortunately man continued to veer away from the truth and establish more and more variations of these denominations. Obviously, this was a very brief description of the events which took place over many years but the point can be made that it started with those who altered just some areas of God’s revealed will and is continuing down the same path with those who have completely abandoned Bible authority. This poses a great problem for you and me. How do we find the truth? How do we worship God properly in a time of such confusion? Those are questions we need to ask ourselves as we search for the truth. Now, if you could find the N.T. church without any doubt, not depending on me or any other man, would you want to become a member????????? The lessons that follow will help you in that in that endeavor. Our problem is similar to the police department looking for a criminal. Imagine for a moment a local gas station being robbed. When the police are called they begin to gather evidence to locate the guilty party. They make take statements from all the witnesses. They may say, “He was 7' Tall, scar on left cheek, red hair, thin build, peg leg, etc. I dare say all of us could narrow it down with such an extreme example. I use that description to make a point. The church, which our Lord shed His blood for and God chose to save mankind through, is very distinctive. Just like the police officer that would gather reliable information to “get his man” so must we gather reliable information to find the true New Testament church. We do so by looking at the only reliable source available---God’s Word. You may ask, “Can we find the same New Testament church, which was established so many years ago”? I would answer yes! The facts are available to all of us we simply have to look and we will find. Jesus said in Luke 11:9-10, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. We only need to put forth the effort and the answers will come. We will see it. The question is whether or not you will accept it and then act upon it.
One day while driving my automobile, I came near enough to the car in front of me to be able to read the sticker on the back bumper. It read, "Don't follow me, I'm Lost." I was reminded of a personal experience of mine that occurred a few years ago. I was endeavoring to find a particular building located near a lake and I began following some people I thought were going to the same gathering of brethren where I was supposed to be making a speech; and, that they would be able to lead me safely to my destination. I was wrong. After traveling some distance on a dirt road, we came to a dead end. The car in front of me stopped and the driver got out and came to my side of the car and started to ask if I knew where the building we both were looking for was located. I answered quickly that I did not know and that I had been following them, thinking that they knew the directions. Eventually, we all arrived at our desired destination. In religious matters, we must not assume that others know the way of salvation. This would include preachers, parents, loved ones and friends. There is the probability that a blind leader could cause you to be lost (Mt. 15:14). Just because a certain way seems right does not insure that it is a safe path to travel (Prov. 14:12). The sad fact is that the majority of people are traveling the wrong highway in this life (Mt.7:13,14). Individually, we have the responsibility to search the scriptures for ourselves (II Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11). The Bible is the only road map that can safely direct us from this life to eternal bliss (Psa. 119:105; Acts 20:32). Another point that I want to emphasize is that people who are lost spiritually and know it, would do a tremendous service to others by wearing a sign that reads, "Don't follow me, I'm lost". A father who refuses to obey the gospel could lessen his influence with his children by making it clear that he was lost and that he did not want them to follow his example of disobedience. An unbelieving marriage partner, by wearing this sign would greatly encourage the other mate not to listen to his/her excuses for not obeying Christ. The moralist would no doubt keep innocent people from believing that he was safe and that they could also be saved separate and apart from the blood of Jesus Christ. The hypocrites and backsliders could really help in this matter by wearing this sign, thus informing all people that Christ was not living in them and that they were lost and doomed to eternal perdition. This might prevent others from following their ungodly examples. The only sure and safe way to travel in this life is to follow Jesus who is "the way" (Jno. 14:6). And, He is the one who says to us, "follow me" (Mt. 16:24). The Spirit Expressly Says
... The power of prayer cannot be underestimated. But, the question is not does God answer, but whose prayer does He answer and how. The Bible provides the answers to such questions. Notice:
Some conclusions must be made. First, prayer is answered in accordance to the will of The Father; not our will or wants or our time table. Second, a righteous man's prayer is heard and answered, as he is doing the will of God- The example of Elijah is used in James 5:17 to llustrate this very point that both Jesus and James are teaching. Are you doing the will of God? Food For Thought “Pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended upon you.”
We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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