From the Pen of Paul: Bible Classes are Important
Note: I cannot remember a time when I did not attend Bible classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. My first Sunday school teacher was our own Jo Priest. Since the elders have stated the goal for us as “A Bible class for every member and every member in a Bible class,” the following article written by Clarence DeLoach should encourage us and help us to see the importance of Bible classes. —Paul
The Importance of Bible Classes
“...and they gave the sense, and helped them understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8).
The above passage is taken from a paragraph in Nehemiah 8. Here’s the context. The people of Judah completed the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days. It was a colossal task wrought with many obstacles. But they were successful because they had a mind to work. But apparently during the process of building, they had neglected the Word of God. Their hearts were hungry for the law of God. So, Ezra the scribe brought the Book of the Law before the assembly and read it from morning to midday. Then there were small groups led by qualified teachers whose mission was “to help the people understand the Law” (Neh. 8:7). This was parallel in many ways to our Bible classes. When the people understood God’s Word it resulted in confession, restoration, and reform. Some apparently do not see the need for Bible classes. They don’t participate! Many think of them as a waste of time. Let me affirm the truth that Bible classes are important. But until we understand the significance of Bible classes, we will not appreciate them. When we come to appreciate their importance, then attitude and attendance will change in positive ways. Think with me about the importance of Bible classes.
(1) They promote the work of the church. Bible classes are excellent ways for the church to exercise her mission of educating her people in the Word of God. It enables the church to edify, equip, and confirm the faith of her members. Such is an on-going, never-ending process until Jesus comes.
(2) They enable the spiritual shepherds—the elders—to “feed and nourish the flock.” God has given them the charge, “Feed the flock of God which is among you” (I Pet. 5:2). When you attend an appropriate class you are helping the elders to the work God has given them, plus you are being nourished spiritually.
(3) They provide the impetus and training which will produce tomorrow’s elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, and servants. Our young people need all the teaching, training, and encouragement we can give them. Where will our future leaders be if we don’t plant the seed early in their lives?
(4) They prepare us for eternity. They encourage us in Christian living. They provide the encouragement and fellowship needed to remain faithful. Let me encourage you to begin attending a Bible class. We have several offerings. Well-prepared teachers will welcome you to their class. If you once attended, but have become dilatory, please begin again. If you are “hit or miss,” just coming occasionally, try to be more regular.
Bible classes are important!
—Clarence DeLoach
via The Proclaimer
From the Preacher’s Viewpoint. . .
“Does man suffer for sin in this life and also in the other world?”
This question has been on the mind of many from generation to generation. Today there are those who ask this question about sin and its punishment.
From the time of man’s creation to this present moment, man has suffered. His pathway has been traced by sweat, blood, tears, sorrow, suffering, heartache, and heartbreak, and then, ultimately, by death. What has caused this? The Bible says sin has caused it. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). The Bible says that all of man’s suffering and hardships are caused by sin. If someone denies this, then we would ask from whence do they come? To deny that we have sickness, death, and sorrow, is but to deny reality. Where did such come from, if it was not caused by sin? We would like a better explanation for such, if someone can give us one.
We may therefore conclude that there is punishment for sin in this life. Before we move from this point, let me be swift to say that sorrow and suffering is not passed upon man as a direct punishment for his sins in every case. But I am saying that sin somewhere back yonder has brought us to such.
Let us now ask the question, “Is there suffering for sin in the life to come?” We must turn to Jesus Christ for the answer. He was with God in eternity and he alone can tell us about this question.
In Luke 12:4-5 we have Jesus making this statement, “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear him.”
What Jesus is here saying is that there is something worse than death after death. He tells us not to be afraid of those who can kill our physical body, but to be afraid of God who can not only take life but can cast us into hell after this life has been taken.
To deny this is but to deny our blessed Lord. I have seen men die in their sins and have observed the misery in their face. If they are miserable in dying, what hope have we that it is better for them on the other side?
But, we would ask the question; “When does this punishment after death start? Again, we must let Christ answer this question. He alone knows what is beyond the grave and can declare it to us. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells of the rich man and Lazarus. He said they both died and while Lazarus went to Abraham’s bosom, the rich man went to hell. Christ said the rich man lifted up his eyes in hell and that he was in torment.
But is there a future, final, universal judgment? The Hebrew writer said, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). The judgment is just as universal as death itself. Christ said all nations would be gathered before him in judgment (Matt. 25:31-33). Paul said we must all appear before the judgment bar of Almighty God (II Cor. 5:10). We may know beyond doubt that there is a future, final, universal judgment.
But when will this judgment be? It will be after the resurrection of the dead. Jesus tells us this, “The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here” (Matt. 12:41). Those people of Nineveh had been dead for many hundreds of years when Christ spoke this, yet, He said they would be in the same judgment with the generation to which He spoke. We know from this that the judgment will be after the resurrection.
How long will the punishment for sin be after the judgment? It will be for ever and ever. Listen again to Christ, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 25:46). The thing we all should do is get rid of our sins. God does not want us to die and lose our soul in hell. He gave His only begotten Son to die on the old rugged cross to save man from sin.
We would plead with you to come out of sin and be a child of God. If you suffer eternally for your sins, it will not be God’s fault. He has done all He can to save you. It is now left up to you. What will you do?
—Malcolm L. Hill