Is Your Bible the Right Bible?

Posted on August 3, 2010 by admin

Pastor Richard Jordan

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God…” (II Corinthians 2:17)

For over 350 years the Authorized Version, commonly known as the King James Bible, was used by the Body of Christ at large and confidently believed to be the Word of God. In the last 3 or 4 decades all this has changed.

Now we are faced with a variable Babel of confusion over the various Bible versions and English translations continuously being introduced on the market. There is a serious question which must be faced: Are these modern versions really reliable – are they really versions or, as many have come to claim, perversions of the Word of God?

Our examination of this important subject will by no means be exhaustive, given the space available to us here, but we hope to give the reader enough information that as an informed believer you can make a sound decision as to which Bible is reliable and which version in not.

A bit of background to begin with: In 1881 there was introduced into public circulation a new Bible text. It came through the work of the Revision Committee which produced the (English) Revised Version, 1881, and the American Standard Version, 1901.

This new Greek text developed by the Revision Committee, under the leadership and pressure of Westcott and Hort, is the basis of modern translations. It has been used to replace the Received Text of the KJV and its predecessors. There is, however, a growing awareness that this new Greek text is not reliable-and more and more are returning, we have, to the KJV.

As we compare verses, we will see why this is true. We have objective evidence as the reliability of the KJV as opposed to the new bible versions-overwhelming evidence that new versions are not simply better translations. Nor are they simply revisions of the KJV. Rather they are new and different Bible texts which often question, discredit and water down important and vital truths basic to the Christian faith (cf. Genesis 3:1).

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE

Let’s start by understanding that there is a great deal of difference between the KJV and the modern versions. This difference is not simply a translations difference. It is in fact a basic textual difference: they are translations of two different lines of Greek texts. A few examples must suffice:

In Matthew 1:25 the words “her firstborn son” are consistently omitted by modern versions. In Matthew 6:13 the ending of “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” is omitted. This explains why the Protestant version of this prayer is more lengthy than the Roman Catholic rendition. The KJV is the text of the Protestant Reformation while the new versions embrace the Roman reading.

Verses such as Matthew 17:21 and 23:14 are omitted entirely, while in Matthew 24:36 the words “nor the Son” are added.

There are literally hundreds of these type textual alternations which have nothing to do with translation. They come because of the difference in what is being translated-the Greek texts being used are substantially different. And the difference is by no means insignificant.

In the modern versions numerous verses have been changed in such a way as to affect truths basic to the Christian faith. While many are quite subtle, they nonetheless provide the type of objective evidence which convicts these new versions of perverting God’s Word. Again, space allows only a few examples:

In John 1:27 the words “is preferred before me” are omitted, so that John is made to say only that Christ came after him. In John 6:47 “he that believeth on me hath everlasting life” is changed to read: “he who believes has everlasting life” (NIV) The words “on me” are left out [footnote 1] .

John 6:65, 14:12 and 16:10 , have Christ calling to God “the Father instead of “my Father,” as in KJV. In Revelation 1:11 the phrase “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,” referring to Christ-and an obvious proof that Jesus Christ is the Jehovah of Isaiah 44:6-is omitted. Other titles of Christ which indicate His deity are regularly omitted or altered in such a way as to not connote deity (e.g., Matthew 27:64, 9:35; I Corinthians 15:47, 16:22; Romans 9:6, 14:10; Colossians 1:2; II Timothy 4:22, etc.).

Other vital truths are also affected. For examples, in I Corinthians 5:7 the words “for us” are omitted, affecting the doctrine of the vicarious death of Christ by suggesting merely that He was sacrificed and did die, but not necessarily “for us” (see also I Peter 4:1). It isn’t surprising that Hebrews 1:3 omits the words “by Himself” from the phrase: “When He had by Himself purged our sins.” There is also Colossians 1:14 where the clause “through His blood” is omitted, casting doubt on the necessity of the shedding of Christ’s blood for redemption.

Then there is Luke 2:33 where the words “Joseph and his mother” are changed to read: “The child’s father and mother,” implying that Christ was not virgin-born. Not even a note of explanation is given. Surely the evidence for such an important change should have been offered.

In Luke 24:51 the words “And carried up into heaven,” referring to our Lord’s ascension, are omitted. In John 16:16 the words “because I go to the Father” are omitted.

By now it should be obvious that the new versions are not simply “better translations” or a revision of KJV. Rather they are new and different Bible texts. Nor is it true that they contain only minor changes which do not affect basic meanings.

The great number of passages (we have given only examples) altered or omitted so as to water down or attack the very truths the Bible teaches, especially where the person and work of Christ are concerned, is clear evidence that modern versions are dangerous to spiritual health.

1. We are using the New International Version for comparison quotes because of its present popularity. What is true of it however, is consistently true of other versions.

SERIOUS QUESTIONS

Because of the subtle nature of the deception used to corrupt God’s Word, we want to offer three examples of the absolute devastation caused by these new versions. The complacent nature of current thinking in regard to these issues has caused some to pass off as only a minor irritant the numerous passages which are altered so as to eliminate or dilute statements on the deity of Christ, the virgin birth, the vicarious atonement, etc. Because of this, and the emotional allegiance often attached to those recommending the modern versions, we ask our readers to consider the impact of these three passages on their faith. These three passages are irrefutable, objective evidence that modern versions are unsafe.

1. Matthew 5:22: Often it is difficult to grasp the impact of what seems to an innocent omission. Here is a verse where this syndrome is demonstrated to be a subtle trap leading to spiritual destruction. In KJV the verse reads,

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

The NIV renders the verse thus:

“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

Did you catch the omission? The phrase “without a cause” is omitted from the statement “Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” This does not seem to be too very consequential at first glance. But for a Bible student who is serious about believing and honoring the Word of God, this verse is devastating.

If the reader is diligent it will not be long before he comes upon Mark 3:5, were we are told about our Lord:

“And when he had LOOKED ROUND ABOUT ON THEM WITH ANGER, BEING GRIEVED FOR THE HARDNESS OF THEIR HEARTS…”

The problem is obvious: If the NIV reading is to stand, our lord is condemned by His own words.

This is no small matter! By this seemingly unimportant omission in Matthew 5:22 the modern versions have destroyed the sinlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ and established him as a sinner, condemned for failure to live by His own declaration.

2. Mark 1:2: This verse brings up the dementia associated with the use of modern versions. The following change is so amazing that we doubt anyone would believe it if the record was not clear. In KJV the verse reads,

“As IT IS WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”

The NIV rendering is consistent with other modern versions:

“IT IS WRITTEN IN ISAIAH THE PROPHET: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.”

Any reference edition or center column reference will quickly establish the problem for modern versions: The quotation in Mark 1:2 is not from Isaiah. It is from Malachi 3:1. Mark 1:3 is a quote from Isaiah 40:3. Thus two prophets are being quoted, not one. The statement in NIV (and other new versions) is simply false.

This is simply a case of the Greek text and resultant English translation being wrong. It is a mistake, plain and simple. No amount of sophistry can argue around it. Notice the verse does not say, “It was spoken in Isaiah” (as in the case of Matthew 27:9′s quote of Jeremiah). No. The quote is clearly said to have been “written in Isaiah.”

Two possibilities exits: Either Isaiah, as we have it, is incomplete, omitting the quote (and thus the Bible itself so not complete), or Mark is mistaken, having given the wrong reference (which would mean that the Holy Spirit made a mistake writing the Scripture).

These two choices leave us in the unenviable position of having to adjust our understanding of Biblical infallibility. The doctrine of infallibility will not stand the test if the reading of the new versions is accepted.

3. Hebrews 3:16: We add this reference because it too seems to be too impossible to be real. Unfortunately it is all too real-and illustrative of the caliber of modern versions. KJV renders the verse this way:

“For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit NOT ALL THAT CAME OUT OF EGYPT BY MOSES.”

The verses changed in NIV to read:

“Who were they who heard and rebelled? WHERE THEY NOT ALL THOSE MOSES LED OUT OF EGYPT ?”

In others words, KJV says that “not all that came out of Egypt by Moses” rebelled while NIV indicates that “all those Moses led out of Egypt ” did rebel. Any junior in Sunday School knows which of the two is right!

After four decades of wilderness wanderings, Moses addressed Israel as she prepares to enter the promised land. Deuteronomy 29:2 tells us,

“And Moses called unto all Israel , and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did BEFORE YOUR EYES IN THE LAND OF EGYPT UNTO PHARAOH…”
(cf. Deuteronomy 1:30).

Obviously some of these who were in Egypt and saw with their own eyes what God had done there also entered into the promised land, having not rebelled in the wilderness. As we said, any junior aged boy or girl could name two of them: Joshua and Caleb! One wonders what the translators of the NIV and other versions have been reading.

Why should we accept a Bible version that is not true-especially when we have one that is? Why would we accept a Bible that openly denies the sinlessness of our Lord and that makes the doctrine of Scriptural infallibility a falsehood?

THE BOOK WILL DEFEND ITSELF

We do not fear for God’s Word, He’ll take care of it! We fear only for its readers. These new versions are simply unsafe to rely on.

We trust this information will help our readers to understand this issue more clearly. Compare the verses for yourself and you will see that we do have a reliable, dependable copy of the Word of God in our own language. God has preserved His Word and made it available to us in our own language in an absolutely dependable form, the King James Bible

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Richard Jordan | Leave a comment

The Key to Understanding the Bible

Posted on July 31, 2010 by admin

By Pastor Richard Jordan

The Bible is the world’s most marvelous book, all because it is God’s book. It is wonderful that God wrote a book, even more so that He has preserved it intact through history and has even provided for it to be translated into the languages of the nations. We have His Word, preserved for us and translated into our own language so that we can hold it in our hands, read it and see for ourselves just what God has said. This is all a marvelous blessing! But there is more.

It is important to recognize that God has also provided us with a divinely prescribed method for understanding it. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable,” II Timothy 3:16 declares. But if we are to gain the profit from God’s Word that He has placed there for us, we must approach it in His way. Thus II Timothy 2:15 instructs:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Clearly our study of the Word is for the purpose of showing ourselves “approved unto God.” This is to be our one great goal, our objective: to have God’s approval to be workmen who have no need to be ashamed before Him. But how is this objective to be reached? The answer is given with equal clarity: “Rightly dividing the Word of truth.” This is the key to having God’s approval on our service for Him-the key to understanding His Word.

“Rightly dividing the Word of truth” is a reference to the dispensational approach to studying the Bible [footnote 1] and it is clear that this is the correct approach if we are to have God’s approval on our lives and ministries.

It is important to notice that Paul says, “rightly dividing the Word.” The clear implication is that there is a wrong way to divide it. Paul does not, as many seem to suppose, simply say we are to make divisions in God’s Word. No. We are to make right divisions-correct, proper distinctions. Great care is called for at this point for, remember, it is God’s Word we are handling. This is not the Word of a doctrinal statement, a church, creed, or tradition of human viewpoint; this is the Word of Almighty God!

As we approach it, therefore, we want to approach it in God’s way, properly recognizing the distinctions He has made in it. Just how to do this-that is the important question!

Since it is Paul who instructs us to rightly divide the Word, it would seem safe to ask Paul just how this should be done. So, instead of going to Darby, Scofield, Larkin, Hodges, Calvin, Strong or the like, let’s turn to Paul and see if he can help us understand just how God’s Word is to be “rightly divided.”

1. Lit., “cutting straight” (Gk: orthotoinounta). Perhaps because of a failure to appreciate the dispensational nature of Scripture in general and the immediate context of II Timothy 2:15 in particular. many modem translators and commentators unfortunately have abandoned the Greek reading and have followed the Latin Vulgate which reads, “rightly handling.”

A THREE-FOLD DIVISION

God Himself never changes. In His person, essence and character He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). His dealings with man, however, have undergone various changes down through history-changes made necessary by changes in man himself. Identifying these changes is a basic issue in studying the Bible dispensationally [footnote 2] for a dispensation is a particular program that God administers (or dispenses) for man’s obedience.

In Ephesians 2 the Apostle Paul gives us a panoramic view of his understanding of the way God’s dealings with mankind have been divided. He does this by making a clear, distinct and easily identifiable threefold division: Time Past (vs. 11, 12), But Now (v. 13), The Ages to Come (v. 7).

Time Past:

During “Time Past” there was an unmistakable distinction made between the circumcision and the uncircumcision, between the nation Israel and the Gentiles:

“Wherefore remember, that YE BEING IN TIME PAST GENTILES IN THE FLESH, WHO ARE CALLED UNCIRCUMCISION BY THAT WHICH IS CALLED THE CIRCUMCISION IN THE FLESH MADE BY HANDS;

“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” (vs.11,12).

The terms circumcision and uncircumcision identify a basic physical, racial and social distinction; one that was “in the flesh” and “made with hands.” It was, in fact, so real and intense that they were obviously “calling” each other names! But there was more:

In this “time past” status, the Gentiles were also spiritually alienated from God and thus said to be “without Christ.” This is said to be their condition because they were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise.”

Thus the physical distinction only pointed to the more important spiritual alienation the Gentile masses occupied in Time Past.

The basic issue in Time Past is this division between the circumcision and the uncircumcision, between Israel and the Gentiles. When you find this issue governing the way God was working with men, you know immediately you are in Time Past.

But Now:

Ephesians 2:13 indicates that in the But Now period all this has changed. No longer are Gentiles considered “far off” but rather this distinction has been eliminated and now “those who were far off are made nigh.”

“BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS YE WHO SOMETIMES WERE FAR OFF ARE MADE NIGH BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

“FOR HE IS OUR PEACE, WHO HATH MADE BOTH ONE, AND HATH BROKEN DOWN THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION BETWEEN US” (vs. 13,14).

So there is a Time Past, the basic characteristic of which is the separation between the circumcision and the uncircumcision, between the Jew and the Gentile. Then there is But Now where they are dealt with on an equal basis and in the same manner. During But Now there has been a change in the way God deals with the nations, for “the middle wall of partition” has been “broken down.” There is one remaining section:

The Ages to Come:

much is to come in the future as God brings His purposes to fruition and hence the final division:

“That IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHEW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.” (v.7)

So we have Paul’s three-fold division: Time Past, But Now, and the Ages to Come. How can the Word of God be laid out according to this? Let’s see.

2. It is readily apparent that God’s program for man has changed from time to time: Compare Exodus 31:15 with Col. 2:16; Leviticus 11:7,8 with I Timothy 4:4; Matthew 5:19 with Romans 6:14; Psalms 51:11 with Ephesians 4:30; Genesis 17:11 with Galatians 6:15; etc.

TIME PAST

Time Past is marked by the basic characteristic of the separation between circumcision and uncircumcision. We know where circumcision came from. It began with Abraham as a sign of the covenant God made with him and his seed after him.

In Genesis 17 the Lord confirmed His covenant with Abram, changed his name to Abraham and instituted the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant-circumcision:

“And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations

“This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; EVERY MAN CHILD AMONG YOU SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED.

“And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and IT SHALL BE A TOKEN OF THE COVENANT BETWIXT ME AND YOU.

“And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

“He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, MUST NEEDS BE CIRCUMCISED: AND MY COVENANT SHALL BE IN YOUR FLESH FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT.

“AND THE UNCIRCUMCISED MAN CHILD WHOSE FLESH OF HIS FORESKIN IS NOT CIRCUMCISED, THAT SOUL SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM HIS PEOPLE; HE HATH BROKEN MY COVENANT” (Genesis 17:9-14).

Thus “circumcision in the flesh made by hands,” was a sign of the special status given to the seed of Abraham by God. It was an outward sign of the spiritual privilege God had given to them and was a required mark of their identity and covenant privileges.

So the division between the circumcision and the uncircumcision began in the book of Genesis. It was there, with Abraham, that God began to erect “the middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile by giving to Abraham and his seed circumcision as “the sign of the covenant.” In Genesis 22:17,18 God states His purpose in that covenant and in thus separating the nation Israel from all other nations of the earth:

“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

“And IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED; because thou has obeyed by voice.”

Numbers 23:9 declares concerning Israel ‘s special status:

“… LO, THE PEOPLE SHALL DWELL ALONE, AND SHALL NOT BE RECKONED AMONG THE NATIONS.”

God not only erected this “middle wall,” He also reinforced it by the giving of the law through Moses:

“Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

“Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

“FOR WHAT NATION IS THERE SO GREAT, WHO HATH GOD SO NIGH UNTO THEM, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

“And WHAT NATION IS THERE SO GREAT, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day” (Deuteronomy 4:5-8).

We see from this that what is generally referred to as the “Old Testament” is in fact part of Time Past. But when does the change occur? When do we move into the But Now status? And what about the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Paul sheds real light on this latter question when he writes:

“Now I say that JESUS CHRIST WAS A MINISTER OF THE CIRCUMCISION for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” (Romans 15:8).

Note well that the character of our Lord’s earthly ministry is defined as His being “a minister of the circumcision.” Thus we learn that the period covered by the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is in fact part of Time Past. The distinction between the circumcision and the uncircumcision still formed the basis of God’s dealings with men at that time.

There is no way one can read the records of our Lord’s earthly ministry and fail to see this basic fact. For example, in His first great commission to His Apostles, He declares:

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, AND INTO ANY CITY OF THE SAMARITANS ENTER YE NOT:

“BUT GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL” (Matthew 10:5,6).

Later when they besought Him to work a miracle for a Gentile woman, He pointedly told them:

“I AM NOT SENT BUT UNTO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL” (Matthew 15:24 ).

Further, John 4:22 records His words to the woman at the well in Samaria :

“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: FOR SALVATION IS OF THE JEWS.”

Too often such passages are simply ignored- no doubt because they are not properly understood. Such plain words, however, cannot be gainsaid or mistaken. They mean what they say and their implication is clear: the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ demonstrates itself to be a part of Time Past. Thus the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are properly placed in the Time Past division when we “rightly divide the word of truth.”

The same is true of the early Acts period. In His post-resurrection commission our Lord clearly maintained the advantaged status of the circumcision:

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM” (Luke 24:47).

After some 40 days of personal instruction from their resurrected Lord in things “pertaining to the kingdom of God ,” the apostles understood that the program of God still focused on Israel and her coming kingdom:

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, LORD, WILT THOU AT THIS TIME RESTORE AGAIN THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL?” (Acts 1:6).

That this understanding was in no way a mistake of human frailty is borne out by the fact that on the day of Pentecost, Peter, speaking “as the Spirit gave [him] utterance,” three times specifically limits his message to the nation Israel:

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, YE MEN OF JUDAEA, AND ALL YE THAT DWELL AT JERUSALEM, BE THIS KNOWN UNTO YOU, AND HEARKEN TO MY WORDS:

“YE MEN OF ISRAEL, HEAR THESE WORDS…”

“THEREFORE LET ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL KNOW ASSUREDLY…” (Acts 2:14 , 22, 36).

Thus the understanding of Peter and the eleven as to just where they stood in the program of God gives clear evidence that they still functioned in the Time Past division, when Israel was still in the place of honor and advantage.

Peter is identified in Galatians 2:8 as the apostle of the circumcision and as such preached “the gospel of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:7). It is in this capacity and with this message that he declares to his nation:

“YE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE PROPHETS, AND OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD MADE WITH OUR FATHERS, SAYING UNTO ABRAHAM, AND IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE KINDREDS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED.

“UNTO YOU FIRST GOD, HAVING RAISED UP HIS SON JESUS, SENT HIM TO BLESS YOU, IN TURNING AWAY EVERYONE OF YOU FROM HIS INIQUITIES” (Acts 3:25 ,26).

Throughout their ministry as recorded in Acts the Pentecostal believers declare their testimony that

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, FOR TO GIVE REPENTANCE TO ISRAEL, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:30 -32).

In fact, Israel ‘s special privileged position extended even after they were scattered from Jerusalem by persecution, for Acts 11:19 tells us:

“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus , and Antioch , PREACHING THE WORD TO NONE BUT UNTO THE JEWS ONLY.”

The record is clear: The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the early part of the book of Acts properly belong in Time Past.

BUT NOW

When, then, does the change to the But Now position occur? When did the circumcision and the uncircumcision being reconciled into one body begin to take place? Ephesians 3 supplies the answer:

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

“IF YE HAVE HEARD OF THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD:

“HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY…

“WHICH IN OTHER AGES WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, AS IT IS NOW REVEALED UNTO HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS BY THE SPIRIT;

“THAT THE GENTILES SHOULD BE FELLOW HEIRS, AND OF THE SAME BODY, AND PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL” (Ephesians 3:1-3,5,6).

From the record it is evident that the Apostle Paul was the instrument our ascended Lord used to initiate the program of grace for the Gentiles by way of a message he calls “the mystery”-a secret purpose which God kept “hidden” in Himself until He revealed it to and then through the Apostle Paul.

With the raising up of Paul we move from Time Past into the But Now section and cross what in fact is the most important boundary line of the Bible-that between prophecy and the great mystery proclaimed by Paul. It is into these two great subjects that the Bible is basically divided.

Manifestly there is a great difference between Peter’s preaching of that “which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21 ) and Paul’s proclamation of that “which was kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25 ).

This secret message has to do with the breaking down of the middle wall of partition and the placing of Jew and Gentile into one body on an absolutely equal basis through simple faith in the cross-work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:13-22). How is it that this “mystery” message can now go to the Gentiles without regard to Israel ‘s former status? Romans 11 answers:

“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather THROUGH THEIR FALL SALVATION IS COME UNTO THE GENTILES, for to provoke them to jealousy.”

“…THE CASTING AWAY OF THEM [IS] THE RECONCILING OF THE WORLD…”

“For I WOULD NOT, BRETHREN, THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT OF THIS MYSTERY, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that BLINDNESS IN PART IS HAPPENED TO ISRAEL, UNTIL THE FULNESS OF THE GENTILES BE COME IN” (Romans 11:11,15,25).

Our Lord set the nation Israel aside during the Acts period and from heaven’s glory introduced a new program through a new apostle. With the revelation of this new program we move into the But Now period and thus we read Paul now declaring:

“FOR I SPEAK TO YOU GENTILES, INASMUCH AS I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES, I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE” (Romans 11:13).

Romans through Philemon are the books, then, that fit into the But Now division. These are the books that detail what God is doing during the present dispensation of grace.

THE AGES TO COME

After the present dispensation is brought to a conclusion, there is still much that God has to accomplish. Since His prophetic program for tile nation Israel has currently been interrupted in order to form the Body of Christ, the first order of business would logically be its completion.

Appropriately, the grouping of books following the Pauline epistles is called the Hebrew Epistles. They, in fact, fit doctrinally into the Ages To Come. Consider Hebrews 2:3,5:

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, WHICH AT THE FIRST BEGAN TO BE SPOKEN BY THE LORD [Matthew through John], and was CONFIRMED UNTO US BY THEM THAT HEARD HIM [early Acts];”

“For unto the angels hath He not put into subjection THE WORLD TO COME, WHEREOF WE SPEAK [Hebrews through Revelation].”

The distinction between the circumcision and uncircumcision is also again in vogue in the Hebrew Epistles, and thus we find such things as:

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES which are scattered abroad, greeting” (James 1:1).

“BUT YE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, AN HOLY NATION, A PECULIAR PEOPLE…” (I Peter 2:9).

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION

Thus we see that the Word of God itself provides us with the key to its own proper understanding and right division:

Time Past: In Matthew through John we find the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ to the nation Israel . In the book of Acts we have the fall of Israel and salvation going to the Gentiles through the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

But Now: Romans through Philemon provide the doctrine for the present dispensation of grace.

Ages To Come: Hebrews through Revelation focus on the ages to come when God will bring to fruition His purposes for both the nation Israel and the Body of Christ.

We are not the only people in the programs and purposes of God. People in other ages need Scripture to instruct them in the specifics of God’s dealings with them just as we do. Remember: All of the Bible is for us but it is not all to us nor is it all about us. If we fail to recognize this important fact we will never be able to properly understand just what God is doing today nor will we know just what He would have us do.

One important question remains: You are one of “the nations.” The Apostle Paul says unequivocally, “I am the apostle of the Gentiles [i.e., the nations].” Who, then, is your apostle? There can be no answer but that Paul is our apostle, for he was raised up by our ascended Lord specifically that he “should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles” (Romans 15:16 ).

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, HE THAT RECEIVETH WHOMSOEVER I SEND RECEIVETH ME; AND HE THAT RECEIVETH ME RECEIVETH HIM THAT SENT ME” (John 13:20).

Thus it is in Paul’s writings alone that we find the doctrine, position, walk and destiny of the Body of Christ.

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Richard Jordan | 1 Comment

The Essence of Grace

Posted on July 31, 2010 by admin

By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer

(2 Cor 1:2)  “Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

What a marvelous declaration from God that echoes through this age as penned by the Apostle Paul! However, it is so sad that many people are ignorant of the fact that we live in a time designated by God as one in which He is dispensing grace alone. When we read a passage in the scripture as Ephesians 3:1 & 2;  ”For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, {2} If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:”  we encounter this proclamation of God’s beneficence and wonder truly why so many have not heard.

On the other hand, there are many that proclaim God’s grace without actually comprehending its scope and nature. They see grace as “unmerited favor” in salvation but fail to recognize that grace is a life force that extends right to the details and circumstances of everyday living. In the view of many, we receive salvation as a gift from God apart from any merit based acceptance system but from that point on we all must earn God’s approval through meritorious service. This skewed view suggests that while we can’t earn God’s acceptance before conversion, but we can do so afterward.

(Eph 1:2-7)  “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. {3} Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: {4} According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, {6} To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. {7} In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

The crux of the matter is this – our status as being accepted of God is a positional issue, not a practical one. God accepts, and has chosen, each believer by virtue of our position in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and this acceptance is not conditioned by our ability in any way. There is an old saying, “Saved by grace; kept by grace.” I am unaware of the origin of this gem but I believe it to be true. However, in acknowledging its truth I must also confess that it is incomplete in its scope as it does not address the application of grace to the details of our lives.

(Gal 1:3-4)  “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, {4} Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

A foundational principle of grace is that it is part of the provision from God that delivers from this “present” evil world. This speaks of more than being delivered from the penalty of sin and addresses the problem of the ownership, influence and power of this evil world upon the believer. God has empowered each believer to exist and, yes, even to flourish in the sinful environment of our time.  It is possible for the believer to suffer evil circumstances with hope and confidence knowing that these situations are not a reflection of God’s regard for us but just the natural state of affairs on this planet. (2 Th 2:15-17)  “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. {16} Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, {17} Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

In our previous lost condition we had no choice but to walk according to the “course of this world.” Our life was characterized by disobedience and governed by the plan and power of Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2). But, gloriously, our Savior changed all of that! When we trusted the gospel of grace we became “new creatures in Christ” bringing us into a new relationship with God Himself, and also, consequently, to the world we live in. Paul addresses this later in Ephesians 2 when he states; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. {10} For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Not only have we been delivered from the penalty of sin by grace, we have through the grace of God’s workmanship been made new creatures, delivered from the power and influence of this evil world and have become testaments to the riches of His grace.

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer | Leave a comment

What Part of Complete Do We Not Understand?

Posted on July 31, 2010 by admin

By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer

(Col 2:6-10)  “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: {7} Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. {8} Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {9} For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. {10} And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

When a person trusts Christ as Savior many wonderful things happen. Too many believers see conversion as a change in destination only when, perhaps, they should discover that they now have a destiny (an inner realizable purpose in life). And when we read Paul’s epistles we discover that with our destiny comes a plethora of attributes and directions to realize God’s purpose in our life.

(1 Cor 12:12-13)  “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. {13} For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

Ephesians one tells us that the Holy Spirit is our “seal” and our “earnest”. However, He also performs and essential operation of God; He baptizes us into the Body of Christ. This accomplishes our eternal identification with our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our identity and life are now intrinsically linked with Him. This perspective should change our view of a life agenda. It’s not about what we think is right, it’s about Christ’s life and purpose in us.

(Gal 2:20-21)  “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. {21} I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

The truth is, many of us “frustrate” God’s purpose in our life because we refuse the power of His grace, preferring to draw on our own energy and ideology. There is nothing ambiguous about the statement “…ye are complete in Him.” There is nothing we can add philosophically or ideologically to God’s plan and provision. There is nothing that our creativity, or energy, can bring to the equation. It’s all about, in, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. But, man continually attempts to add to this completeness.

(Col 2:8-13)  “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {9} For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. {10} And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: {11} In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: {12} Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. {13} And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

Man brings his own ideas and agenda and inserts it into the place of Christ’s life in us, replacing that which is ideal with frustration. Man brings religion (manmade attempts to please God) into the equation, replacing the life of Christ with rites, ceremonies, regulations and false authority. For instance; Paul in Ephesians 4:5 says there is “one baptism”.  I Corinthians 12 and Colossians 2 make it abundantly clear that this “one baptism” is an “operation of God.”  Why then does man insist on a second, unnecessary Hebrew water rite? Yes, I know all about the so-called symbolism and alleged outward testimony ascribed to this practice. But, our testimony for, and identification with the Lord Jesus Christ is not expressed with a ceremony – it is His very life manifested in us.

God’s design is that we be identified completely with His Son, the Lord Jesus, Christ. His design is that we also find our sufficiency in the same identity. We are complete because we are “in Christ”. It’s God’s purpose that we be complete.

To that end, He has given us a completed written authority in the Scriptures to direct and equip us. (2 Tim 3:16-17)  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Yet, man isn’t satisfied with this; He even wants to change, challenge, or correct these written instructions.

(Eph 2:8-10)  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. {10} For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Man’s view is that God’s work is incomplete and that it must be improved, corrected, or added to. Man’s arrogance is an affront to God and defies the simplicity that is found in the statement “…ye are complete in Him.”  Just what part of complete is it that we do not understand?

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer | Leave a comment

Universal Reconciliation

Posted on July 31, 2010 by admin

By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer

Occasionally, I check out various writings on subjects that interest me and lately I have been perusing Universal Reconciliation websites. It is puzzling to me about all the hoopla over the translation over the Greek word ‘aionios’ (everlasting, eternal, etc.). The common vein is to question all translations of the scripture and to suggest that ‘aionios’ CAN mean forever, BUT that it doesn’t have to.

I easily understand the desire to eliminate the threat of eternal punishment and the pain of the living concerning unregenerate loved ones that have passed away. However, there are problems with the Universalist position that I cannot resolve.

ONE:  Scripture

(Mat 25:46)  “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

This is one of numerous examples. If the punishment here is not everlasting then how is life everlasting? It appears a case of having your cake and eating it, too. The construct of the pairing of punishment and life are intended to offset each other. For the record, “ages and ages” does not offset “forever”.

Also note, if ‘aionios’ doesn’t mean “everlasting” then there is a real problem with the nature and attributes of Deity. Where would we be without “the everlasting God”? (Romans 16:25-26) “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, {26} But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”

TWO: Words mean things

SAVED; the word means to be delivered or preserved.

In order for one to be ‘saved’ one must be in peril. In other words, there must be some danger, threat, or penalty from which on must be delivered, something from which one would need to be ‘saved’. Language presents some pesky little problems when we look at the meanings of words. If a person is never in peril they are never in need of salvation. Let’s view a few scriptures as it relates to the word saved.

It is used conditionally.

(Acts 16:30-31)  “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? {31} And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

(Rom 10:13)  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

It is used positionally.

(1 Cor 1:18)  “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

(2 Cor 2:15)  “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:”

LOST; means to perish or to be destroyed fully

The scripture refers to those that are lost. Again, if words mean anything, being lost is a condition from which one would need to rescued or found. There is no hint in the Word of God that the condition of being lost is remedied by any other means than by being ‘saved’, nor that it is a temporary state.  A person that is never in peril is never truly ‘lost’. Some verses concerning being lost (sometimes translated perish or destroy).

(Mat 10:28)  “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy (same etymology) both soul and body in hell.”

(John 3:16)  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

(1 Cor 1:18)  “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

(2 Cor 2:15-16)  “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: {16} To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?”

(2 Cor 4:3)  “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”

(2 Th 2:8-10)  “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: {9} Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, {10} And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Perhaps my view is simplistic. The scriptures are replete with the necessity for faith in the Gospel of Grace and in the subject of that gospel, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul specifically says that those who don’t obey the gospel will “be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” This consequence is not a suggestion of God’s failure to universally provide redemption but one of the failure of men in appropriation. If eternal life is a gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; et. al.) then, if words mean anything, that gift must be received. The benefit of any gift is no benefit at all when it is rejected by the recipient.

The true tragedy of going to Hell is that a person that goes there does so with their sins paid for, and forgiven. Sin was dealt with at Calvary. Hell is not a punishment for sin, but rather the result of unbelief and failing to appropriate the righteousness of God.

Salvation is universal in its scope, as it is provided by God’s grace, but it is limited in its application through the unbelief and rejection of men. The scripture says; (Rom 3:22) “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” It is also written that to trust the Lord Jesus Christ is to “… trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

Certainly, the Savior is special to those of us who have received His gift of righteousness and eternal life. It is tragic that to the lost there is nothing special about the tremendous cost of redemption; neither do they realize the terrible penalty for ignoring the gift offered them by the most gracious God and Savior.

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer | Leave a comment

Frustrating Grace

Posted on July 31, 2010 by admin

Pastor Hal Bekemeyer

(Col 2:20-23)  “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, {21} (Touch not; taste not; handle not; {22} Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? {23} Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

One of the greatest tragedies in this world is the believer that has returned to the trough of religion to satisfy his old sinful flesh rather than living in our new identity in Christ. Many, mistakenly, think of the worldly as those who are given to fleshly pursuits, but fail to realize that the greatest efforts to appease the flesh lie in the realm of religion and human good.

Religion, and human good, takes mankind down a path of denial, having as a goal the controlling of the impulses of the flesh. It is an exercise in futility as it is impossible to quit sinning. In Christ, the believer is equipped to replace the deeds of the flesh with the works of righteousness. This replacement principle is basic to the intrinsic nature of the life of Christ in the believer (Galatians 2:20-21). Religion does bring a sense of order to many people’s lives, but it does so at the price of stepping onto an ever turning treadmill of religious activity. It is constantly striving to attain the unattainable which, on the one hand, pleases us for our self-effort but, on the other hand, leaves us dissatisfied for our lack of ever having done enough. The apostle Paul describes this as “frustrating the grace of God.”

Indeed, the only satisfaction that is derived from religion is that which is gained by comparison. Those who are somewhat more successful in controlling the impulses of the flesh look at others, who are less successful, and feel superior. Within they are unfulfilled and, consequently, must look to external evidences to define their worth and success.

This formula of self-worth is that which is basic to this evil world we live in. It is the mechanism the ungodly employ in their efforts toward self-righteousness. It is sad that saints often fall back into the same program because of their feelings of inadequacy and failure. The truth is, the Christian walk is not one of denial, but one of affirmation. There is a verse in Titus that reads; “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 3:8)

Titus 3:8 does not teach that “good works are the product of careful maintenance.”  It does teach that there are “things” which when “constantly affirmed” enable the believer to “maintain good works.” There is a big difference between the two. One relies on our diligence and willful intent to perform, while the other is the result of affirming Biblical truth. The first seven verses in Titus 3 speak to this. Verses two and three highlight the need for us to remember who we were before our conversion. Verses four through seven speak of (1) God’s kindness and love toward us. (2) Our inability to save ourselves. (3) God’s mercy, regeneration and renewing are abundant to us through Jesus Christ. (4) We are justified on the basis of grace and we are the heirs of eternal life.

When we affirm these positive truths we are motivated, and energized, toward living in light of our identity in Christ. Paul told the Thessalonians this; “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (1 Th 2:13)  The Word of God works in the believer in a powerful way. So much so, that its’ profit to us is that we are “perfect” and “throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) A religious agenda will never replace the power of the Living Word in the life of a believer. Religion is the path to spiritual death but the affirmation of God’s grace is Christ in us, the hope of gory.

We can never satisfy our flesh with any amount of regimentation. No matter how much religion we throw at our flesh, it will always demand more effort. The grace of God is sufficient. It empowers us to mortify the flesh and to live unto God. Happiness and success for the saint, living in this present evil world, is in realizing that it is only in human weakness that we find the strength of grace. The delusion of religion is one of human ability and only leads to frustration.

(2 Cor 12:9)  “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer | Leave a comment

Are You Being Saved?

Posted on July 31, 2010 by admin

By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer

“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, {4} Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”  (Gal 1:3-4)

Believers often are myopic in their view of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, seeing it from a positional standpoint only. Galatians speaks of a deliverance that is both positional and practical. In the same vein, when Paul addresses the subject of salvation he is doing so in the sense that it relates to the practical aspects of how we experience life in this world, and how we handle the details of our lives.

By way of example let’s examine the following; “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. {2} (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Cor 6:1-2)

Many an altar call has been prefaced with verse 2 of this passage and the thought is fine, however, the passage is not addressing justification but sanctification. We sometimes forget that we have no epistle, authored by the apostle Paul, which is addressed to lost people telling them how to be saved. We do have numerous instances where the apostle reminds saints of their justification and of the Gospel of Grace they trusted.

Our text from 2 Corinthians is deeply rooted in justification but deals with appropriating its benefits in life and service to God. The question at hand isn’t about receiving the grace of God, but having received it without enjoying its benefits. To possess the grace of God “in vain” is a sad state of affairs. It is to have the fullness of everything God has given us “in Christ” without appropriating the power and peace that comes with it.

For this reason Paul uses the illustration from Isaiah 49. Israel, as God’s chosen people in time past, often found themselves in need of deliverance having departed from the place of God’s blessing. Living under the if/then program of the Law they only received blessing when they were obedient and they, conversely, received cursing from God when they were wayward. The quote in Isaiah directly refers to the nation being restored to the full enjoyment of their Covenant relation with God and all its benefits.

Under grace we need not fear God’s curse upon the details of our circumstances but we should be wary of making choices that isolate us from the benefits of grace. Paul addresses this in different ways in his letters. He notes that “whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” He warns of the danger of living in “ignorance” (virtually with the same mindset as a lost person) and as a consequence becoming “alienated from the life of God.” He prayed that believers would be “filled with all the fullness of God” based upon “wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (God).”

In Christ, God the Father has equipped us to be who He intends us to be. We spend far too much time worrying about our insufficiency when we should be focused upon, and resting in, the sufficiency of Christ. God has addressed our need to be “delivered from this present evil world”, saving us from its power and influence. It’s all about our living as He has created us to be; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. {10} For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  (Eph 2:8-10). God doesn’t make junk!

Paul’s testimony was this; “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”  (1 Cor 15:10)  This should be our testimony, too!

Our service to God and the choices we make regarding the details of our lives should be founded upon God’s grace and not our own agenda and strength. This is the embodiment of our life as a “new creature in Christ’ and exactly what it means to “walk in newness of life.”

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer | Leave a comment

Quench Not the Spirit

Posted on July 31, 2010 by admin

The Holy Spirit is a vital element in our relationship to God, not only as a member of the Godhead but as the performer of Divine operations that shape this relationship. The Holy Spirit is the one that baptizes us into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) and seals us there (Ephesians 1:13) and is the earnest of our redemption (Ephesians 1:14). The Spirit is also an intercessor and a helper of our infirmities (Romans 8:26). We also discover that the Spirit enables us to mortify our flesh (Romans 8:13) and is the means of quickening our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11) as it indwells us. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit is the witness to our identity as the children of God (Romans 8:16) and whose witness reassures us of our new identity in Christ.

Paul addresses several issues regarding our bond with the Holy Spirit. He exhorts believers to not grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) which is the result of our living in a manner inconsistent with our identity. The Ephesian epistle is unambiguous in the directive to “walk worthy of the vocation” wherewith we are called. In Christ we are said to be “light” and we are expected “walk as the children of light.” The Holy Spirit is grieved when we fail to do so.

Paul also cautions that the Spirit can be quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19). This is an interesting notion in that quenching the Spirit would seem to suggest that God can be extinguished. Of course, this is impossible so we must look beyond the literal to discern the figurative meaning. Obviously, you cannot quench God – BUT you can extinguish the work He would accomplish in, and through, your life.

In looking at this subject we should note that man has a spiritual component that serves as one of the mechanisms by which we perceive and know one another. (Prov 27:19)  “As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.” Just as man’s spirit is a point of contact between men it is also a point of contact with God (Prov 20:27) “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” However, the spirit of man alone does not equip us to know God as He intended – we must respond by God’s Spirit within us.  (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)  “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. {13} Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. {14} But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Perhaps one key in understanding how the Spirit might be quenched is found in the intrinsic link of the Holy Spirit with the Word of God. The mechanism of Inspiration is explained in 2 Peter 1:21; “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The Word of God is also identified as the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) which explains its ability to cut us so penetratingly at the heart. The Bible is the one book that reads us as we read it discerning all of our intentions. (Hebrews 4:12-13)  “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. {13} Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

As the Word of God is crucial in generating faith (Romans 10:17) it is primary in the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we reject scriptural truth and refuse to be directed by it we are, in essence, quenching the Spirit. As we heed the instruction and principles of God’s Word we are being led by the Spirit. It isn’t by an indefinable force, or in the Divine manipulation of our circumstances, that we discover the substance of the Spirit’s leading; it is with the voice of God inked on the pages of our Bible. To walk in the Spirit is to make life choices based upon God’s Word. To quench the Spirit is handling the details of our lives with our own agenda, in our own strength, and by our own wisdom.

The result of quenching the Spirit is to alienate ourselves from the life of God. It is to live in futility and it is a contradiction to our identity in Christ.

(Romans 8:5-6)  “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. {6} For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer | Leave a comment

“All Things Work Together For Good”

Posted on July 31, 2010 by admin

by Pastor Hal Bekemeyer

Questioning God

Romans 8:28 ( KJV ) 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Often believers think themselves to be at odds with God because of difficult circumstances in their lives. They experience feelings of abandonment and question God’s purpose for their life as they imagine God’s disapproval and adopt an almost superstitious attitude regarding the events of their life. When things are going smoothly it must be because God approves of us, but if times are tough, obviously, God disapproves of us, He is punishing us, or He is trying to teach us something.

As doubt intensifies it begins to have effect in different areas of the believer’s spiritual life. It can damage relationships as we live our lives differently because we sense God’s apparent disapproval. This can produce anger as we struggle under the assumption that God is the author of our suffering. Our prayer life becomes frustrating because the more we ask, even beg, God to change our circumstances the more it seems He has turned a deaf ear. Many believers become trapped in a vicious circle of self-debasement and self-incrimination derived from false notions about Romans 8:28 thinking that the “all things” are their circumstances when they are, really, God’s gifts.

God is For Us

Romans 8:31-32 ( KJV ) 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

What many of us miss in this passage is the true regard, even genuine love, which God has for us. He is not some distant deity, looking down from above, who delights in frustrating us, or is indifferent to our struggles. This regard and love, stems from many sources but, in the context, it is something we share because God, the Father, identifies us with His Son.

This is a marvelous truth that many of us miss. This truth is an element of doctrine in which some of us remain shallow, either because we have not been taught, or have not applied ourselves to learning. Doctrine is often perceived as dry and tedious without much practical value but, in actuality, it is the exact opposite. Few things can be more exciting than discovering fine points of doctrine and finding that there is great practical benefit in our daily lives.

Ephesians 1:3-6 ( KJV ) 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

When we believe the Gospel of Grace, trusting in Christ and His Cross work for us, there are a number of things that happen to us as believers. One of the things is an operation of God where He identifies us with His Son, our Savior, and from that point on we share Christ’s identity. This is true because the believer is placed into Christ by God, the Holy Spirit, (1 Cor. 12:12-13) and then is sealed by the same Spirit in this new identity (Eph 1:12-14; 4:30). Because we are now “accepted in the beloved” we no longer need fear God’s disapproval, nor do we worry that God will become angry with us. Romans 5:1 (KJV) “1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. God deals with us now on the basis of His love, and His grace, but never in anger.

We Are Complete

Colossians 2:9-13 ( KJV ) “9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

Recognizing our new identity in Christ is a liberating event and it produces freedom for the believer as we realize the work that God has done in each of us. To be complete means to “have nothing lacking”. When Romans 8:28 declares “all things work together for good” it isn’t a reference to all circumstances but, rather, to all that God has done for us. It is a statement to the effectiveness of God’s gifts to us, a fact to which we are often ignorant, or have forgotten in troubling times. God has given us many things that work to our good because of our identity as a new creature “in Christ”. All we need to do is to study out the details of our approved status (2 Timothy 2:15).

(1 Corinthians 2:10-12) “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. {11} For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. {12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

Three Facts

1. God doesn’t need to fix my circumstances because He fixed me. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians 2:10-13)

2. God doesn’t use circumstances to create character in me, He uses the life of His Son. (Galatians 2:20-21; Romans 8:10-11)

3. My circumstances are not a reflection of God’s love and regard for me (Romans 8:37-39)

Posted in Bible Studies, By Pastor Hal Bekemeyer | Leave a comment

Grace and Sin

Posted on July 26, 2009 by admin

Sunday Morning Message by Fred Bekemeyer (7/26/2009)

Grace and Sin

Posted in Audio Messages, Sunday Morning Services | Leave a comment