From the Pen of Paul. . .

Some Things Are "Evident" (4)

For the past three weeks we have been looking at certain passages of scripture that are "evident." Paul stated in Galatians 3:11, "That no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident". Paul is simply saying that this fact, which he was proving in a number of ways in this chapter, was so clearly taught that it could not be misunderstood. We have been looking at certain other statements in God's word that also fit this statement of being "evident." We have examined passages on baptism, justification being not by faith only, the sinner's prayer, and music in the worship of the New Testament church. In this final installment, we will be looking at some "evident" statements about the church.

The first one we want to consider is Matthew 16:18 where Jesus states, "upon this rock I will build my church." We read more of this church in Ephesians 1:22-23. Paul, discussing what God has done for His Son, writes, "And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all." And, then in Ephesians 4:4, Paul states plainly, "There is one body."

By reading these three statements, what is made "evident?" What things are so "manifest, clear, obvious to the mind or eye" that they are "unmistakable?" Let's list them:

1. Jesus was going to build the church.
2. It would be His church.
3. The Father gave Christ to be head of the church.
4. The church is also the body of Christ.
5. There is only one body or church.

Who can deny that all of these things are clearly taught from these Scriptures? Then, why is it that we have a multiplicity of churches today? Why do we hear preachers say that "the church doesn't matter," and just "join the church of your choice?"

These teachings of men become even stranger when you read Acts 2:47, Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 5:25: "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47); "feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28); "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it" (Eph. 5:25). If the Lord adds the saved to the church, don't you believe that He would add them to the "one body" over which He is head and that He built and paid for with His own blood? And, is it not "evident" that the church is important and the church does matter since Christ gave Himself for it?

We hear folks today, and especially preachers say, "The name over your building does not save you." I have never heard a preacher of a church with a Scriptural name over his building make that statement. It is generally made by those who are in churches started by men, teaching men's doctrine, and calling themselves by unscriptural designations.

Wouldn't it be much easier to just accept the "obvious?" In Paul's day, as he wrote the words that have served as our text for the past three weeks, he was writing the epistle to the churches of Galatia to prove what he said was so "evident." Why did folks in Paul's day not see the obvious? It may have been prejudice, pride, or ignorance. Why do folks today fail to see these facts that we have looked at that are so obvious? Accepting them would save the false teacher a lot of labor. Denominational preachers often spend a great deal of time and effort to "explain away" and to "get around" what these Scriptures make so evident. However, that isn't new either. Peter spoke of "they that are unlearned and unstable" and he said they "wrest the scriptures" (II Pet. 3:16). Folks then and now go to a great deal of trouble to twist the Scriptures in a feeble attempt to make them fit their false teaching. The sad part about it is: (1) "Many shall follow their evil ways" (II Pet. 2:2). (2) This wresting of the Scriptures leads to "their own destruction" (II Pet. 3:16). (3) "The way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (II Pet. 2:2).

How about you? Do you accept the "evident" or do you seek to find some way to avoid it? Our destiny depends on how we treat the Scriptures.
—Paul M. Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

Is that in the Bible?

"Often people will say, 'As the Bible says' and then make a statement that is not found in it. Please mention some sayings not found in the Bible."

Quite often we hear people attribute things said to the Bible. We should be sure that the Bible says a thing before we attribute such to the word of the Lord. We would not appreciate someone saying we said a thing when we did not say it. God does not want us to say He said something He did not say.

We are commanded to speak those things which are found in the Bible (I Pet. 4:11). Let us at this time give a number of sayings not found in God's book.

1. A stitch in time saves nine.
2. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.
3. Do not count your chickens before they hatch.
4. Every tub shall sit on its own bottom.
5. Faith only saves.
6. Be saved and go join the church of your choice.
7. You go your way and I will go mine, but let us walk along together.
8. There are many faiths, and one is just as good as another.
9. Let your conscience be your guide in religion.
10. One religion is just as good as another as long as one is honest and sincere.
11. The time will come when you cannot tell the seasons of the year, except by the budding of the trees.
12. Jesus will rule and reign on the earth for one thousand years.
13. A good moral man will be saved without the blood of Christ.
14. Let the chips fall where they may.
15. Look before you leap.
16. What is to be will be.
17. Stop beating around the bush.
18. When the pigs start carrying cobs, you can know that winter is near.
19. When the cat is away the mice will play.
20. You can go to heaven without being religious at all.
21. Put your money where your mouth is.
22. Make hay while the sun is shining.
23. If you don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree.

These are only a few sayings not found in the Bible. Let me encourage you again, before you accept something as being from the word of God, make sure it is. If it is from God, it is found in the Bible. God has given His message in the grand Book. We are not to add to it nor are we to take from it (Rev. 22:18-19; Jude 3; II Tim. 3:16-17, II Pet 1:3). Read it to be wise and obey it to be saved.
—Malcolm L. Hill