The link that was listed in the post of quotes of “Baptists and Baptism” does not work so I am including it here in this very short post. You may click on this link.
Month: June 2007
Baptists and Baptism
Below, you will find some quotes taken from one who is now the First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and another from a quote of a Regular Baptist who lived from 1788 – 1866. These are and were devout Baptist preachers.
I received these from the Landmark Southern Baptist discussion group. The parenthesis at the end of each quote is of the moderator of that group – Ben Stratton.
“I believe you have to have certain things in order to be a New Testament Church. First of all you must preach, believe, adhere to as a congregation that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone including security of the believer. I had a mega-church pastor chide me because I said that this was a qualifier for a New Testament church. He said you’re ruling out a whole bunch of people when you add that security of believer. I said that’s ok. They may be fine Christian people and they may be going to heaven and may have a great time when they get together but they’re not a New Testament church because a New Testament church teaches salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone including security of the believer. (This) makes it a New Testament Church. Doesn’t have to have Baptist over the door but it does have to have Bible in its doctrine. So that means also baptism by immersion of believers only. You can’t sprinkle or pour and be a New Testament Church. I’m not talking about getting to heaven, I’m talking about being faithful to the Word of God.” Jim Richards
(The above quote is from a sermon Jim Richards preached in the chapel at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas on November 01, 2006. Richards is the executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas state Convention {SBTC}. Notice that Richards contends that eternal security and believer’s immersion are two of the requirements for a group to be a true New Testament Church. This is one of the reasons that Baptists reject the immersions of these groups.)
“A considerable congregation had gathered, and I delivered as plain and pointed a discourse, and as definite as I could. I then explained the circumstances which had led to that appointment, and that I was authorized by the Bethel Church, of which I was a member, and which was located in the district of Cape Girardeau, to give an invitation to any persons wishing to be baptized and become members of the Bethel Regular Baptist Church. I added that if they could give full and satisfactory evidence of the hope that was in them, I was ready and willing to baptize. But I would wish all to understand, that the Baptists alone were by us considered a gospel church, and therefore they received none into their fellowship or communion, except on public profession of their faith in Christ, according to the doctrine of His grace. . . No probationers of six months, no infants who were sprinkled on the profession of their parents, nor any others but believers in Jesus Christ were received. Therefore, all who joined this church must renounce alliance with all other denominations. They should treat all men friendly as men, but have no communion or fellowship with any but the Baptist Church of Christ; for they should look upon all others as the daughters of mystic Babylon. ‘I have been thus particular, as I wish to deceive no one,’ said I. ‘We wish to be understood to say, as did the Lord in reference to this “Mystery, Babylon” (if any of God’s people be ensnared by her), Come out of her my people, and be ye separated from her.” Wilson Thompson
(Wilson Thompson (1788-1866) was a Regular Baptist preacher in Illinois. The above quote is from pages 152-154 of “The Autobiography of Elder Wilson Thompson” published in 1867. The time period for the quote is during the War of 1812. Thompson like the majority of Baptists during that time believed that the Baptists alone were the only true church and that Baptists should not have any alliances with other denominations. Because Thompson identified with the Primitive Baptists after the missions controversy (circa 1830) most Southern and Missionary Baptist historians have missed this source. A special thanks to my good friend R. L. Vaughn of Texas for pointing it out to me. He has an excellent website – Ministry and Music – Seeking the Old Paths http://baptistsearch.blogspot. com/ )
BF&M – God’s Purpose of Grace
There is quite a bit of talk about grace. It may be more among Christians than others, but it is a good topic. How can grace be defined? My definition is this; It is a gift from God which we do not deserve, and cannot earn. It is something for which those who have received it should be forever grateful. It is an eternal gift which God chooses to give by His own will.
Here is our SBC Statement of Faith on “God’s purpose of Grace”:
V. God’s Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
There are some who want to tell us that people who were saved in the Old Testament were saved by their works. That is not so. They were all saved by faith looking forward to the cross of Jesus Christ. People today are saved looking back to the cross of Jesus.
It is said of Noah, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:8 (KJV). The word ‘Grace’ is found more often in the book of Genesis than in all four New Testament Gospels combined. Now, would someone tell me that the Old Testament people were saved by their works. Go figure.
The one New Testament Scripture that stands out as a favorite for all Christians is Ephesians 2:8-10. That is right I include verse ten. It is one we too often leave out. “For by grace are ye ssaved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Trust the God of grace.
I am Tim A. Blankenship
Problem With Mixed Marriages
Genesis 6:1-22 continuing…
In chapter four we had the story of the genealogy of Cain, and that was following his murdering his brother Abel. Cain’s record is a record of the ungodly. “Cain went out from the presence of the LORD…” (4:16). The New Testament speaks of Cain as being one who hated God; Jude 11 mentions “the way of Cain” that would be not to seek the Lord, and attempt his own way of worship. First John chapter three and verse twelve tells us, “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”
In chapter five we have the story of the genealogy of Seth, “The Appointed”, and within it the story of redemption and the glory of God. Its story runs from Seth through Noah, and includes his three sons; Shem, Ham and Japheth.
It is my conclusion that since we have the genealogies of Cain and Seth here – back to back so to speak – that chapter six is referring to the Cainites as producing the “Daughters of men”, and the “Sons of God” are reference to the lineage of Seth. That does not give us a real bright picture of Seth’s sons, but that is how I will be presenting this.
“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.” Genesis 6:1-2 (KJV).
In looking at this we have to take it back to even before the lineage of Cain is given. It was then that people were beginning to populate the earth. We must remember that Adam and Eve had other children other than what is written in the pages in the early chapters of Genesis. With Cain and Seth we are given the truth of God that there are generally two types of people on the earth. Those who love God, because they have themselves received God’s love for them; and then, there are those like Cain who had no heart for God. This is the story that must be seen if we are to believe that men/women are accounted for their actions.
The women or “daughters of men” must have been very alluring, attractive, and seductive. Sometimes even the best of men will fall for something of beauty. These daughters of men, being from the lineage of Cain would, most likely, had no problem deceiving, luring, and lying to the sons of God, in order to achieve what they desired, thus luring many of them away from God. Those men who are named in the godly line of Seth were probably the ones who maintained somewhat of a fellowship with God, the LORD. It this is all there were, then, wickedness would surely have had a strangle hold on their society.
There are some who believe that the “sons of God” are fallen angels, as those mentioned in Jude 6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day”, and also they refer to Job 1:6 and 2:1 where it says, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.”, and 2:1 stating, “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.” My question concerning this idea is, What would an angel, even a fallen angel, see in the “daughters of men”? There is no problem with seeing these “sons of God” as being from the lineage of Seth. As a matter of fact it solves a whole passel of problems. I am not going to deal with the matter of the angels here, because I do not see them as being involved in this text.
You could call the joining of the godly line with the ungodly line a case of “Mixed Marriages”. That is forbidden by God in the Scriptures today, though, there would have been no law concerning the matter in the early parts of the Beginning. Surely some sense of decency and thoughts of right and wrong would have been there, but maybe not. God now definitely forbids the Christian from marrying a non Christian. There are far too many “Mixed Marriages” in our society and it could be a death knell to the family. We are told in the New Testament,
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (KJV).
Now there are many people who have heard this taught and preached again and again. Young ladies who know better, professing to be Christian; marry a man who is the dream of her life, but he is not a Christian, and she finds out later that life with this man is a nightmare, they cannot agree on much, if anything, and he gets more and more rebellious toward the things of God as life goes along. In some rare cases the man comes to faith in Christ, and things can get better. God does not approve of Mixed Marriages concerning faith.
God Builds His Case
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. Known for that because of his mourning for the sins of the people of Judah, and Jerusalem. He sees the failings of the priesthood, of which he was part. The weaknesses, the hypocrisies, and often blatant lies and deceptions; not only among the priests but among those who called themselves prophets of God.
God could speak with Jeremiah. Jeremiah heard, and many times responded to what God said. Hear what God says to Jeremiah near the beginning of his ministry;
“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘God and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying’, ‘Thus says the LORD: ‘I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holiness to the LORD, the firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them,’ says the LORD.” Jeremiah 2:1-3 (NKJV).
God begins in the first message by confirming them in their first belief. They had followed, at least through Abraham, had been obedient in the wilderness, and had grown in love with the LORD. There was kindness, fondness, love in their hearts for the LORD, realizing that He alone was responsible for their having a land, a promise. They had been chosen from the place of God’s amazing grace and mercy. They were undeserving. They were unworthy. They were sinners among the other sinners of the earth. There was nothing special about them, thus in there early days they loved the LORD.
Despite the fact of their departure the LORD reminds them of His promise, “All that devour him will offend; disaster will come upon them,’ says the LORD”. No one can expect God’s blessing who lifts their hand against people, the nation, whom God ordained to give us the Scriptures, ordinances, and laws. Yet there is room for His judgment. Pray for Jerusalem – Israel.
As Christians we must remember our “First love”. That love we had for Jesus when we first believed. The things of the world around us have a power which can lure us away from loving Him. God commended five of the early churches of the Revelation, but could only condemn two of them because they had departed from Him.
If you truly know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then, there was a time when you walked with Him, you loved Him, cherished Him, and it did not bother you that there were times He seemed distant, but you trusted His Word when He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
Something has happened in the past few days, weeks, months, or years that have caused you to get away from Him, His Word, from praying, and cherishing His abiding presence. You have become more consumed with sports, entertainment, comforts, leisure, conveniences, and even family activities, than with your walk with Him. It is time to return to Him, before the judgment of your sin comes on you.
He puts His protecting hand on all who have trusted Him. You can believe He will keep you, protect you, and anyone who raises an evil hand against you will suffer by His hand. Be assured God loves you with an everlasting love. Enjoy it, revel in it, rejoice in it, and He will be glorified.
BF&M – Salvation
Living in this world we do often hear people ask the question, “What do we need salvation from?” As mentioned in yesterday’s post concerning our Statement of Faith on “Man” we do believe that man is a fallen being; meaning that we have fallen out of fellowship with our Creator, and therefore, we are a condemned race. We need the salvation which only our Creator can provide us.
Here is our Statement of Faith concerning Salvation:
IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.
Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour.
B. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.
D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5
Let me try and clarify the meaning of “Justification”. It is the act of God declaring righteousness on the believer. It is the same as God’s declaring us as “Saints”. It is certainly undeserved on our part. It is God’s declaration and the placing of the righteousness of Jesus Christ on us. Jesus Himself taking our unrighteousness while on the cross and putting it to death at His death.
It is truly a marvelous salvation.
BF&M – Man
The estate of man is often questioned and discussed. When it comes to knowing the truth of the matter concerning humankind, there is only one reliable source of information and that is God’s Word – the Bible. Below you will see the Baptist Faith and Message statement concerning Man:
III. Man
Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God’s creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
Originally, man was created in the state of innocence, with no sin. God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and made him a living soul.
In our Statement of Faith (BF& M) we say, “endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice”. Adam, the first man, used that freedom, sinned against God, thus condemning the whole human race – his children, grandchildren; all who would come from his seed.
Man is a totally depraved race. Without God’s grace we are a condemned race.
Speak the Truth
Matthew 5:21-48 continued…
“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” Matthew 5:33-37 (KJV).
As we look at these words of Jesus it seems like everything concerning morality and righteousness is essential, yet Jesus had great grace and mercy toward all. Jesus intended that when we spoke a word; in private, before a group of people, or in a courtroom that we speak with the highest degree of integrity, honesty and valor which is possible. It starts with keeping our word; our oaths; with the LORD. It grieves His heart when we do not do so. It is better not to give your word at all than to give it, and then you swallow and devour everything which you said.
Is it wrong to “Swear on a Bible in a court room”? I personally do not believe it is. You are giving your word that you are going to tell the truth. If you won’t tell the truth without using the Bible you probably won’t using it. The whole issue of this matter has to do with a man’s or woman’s honesty, integrity, and character. If you are in the habit of lying then, you will probably lie no matter what.
Even if it hurts be honest. Tell the truth concerning things you testify of. Jesus says, “Let your communication be, ‘Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
BF&M – God: The Holy Spirit
There seems to be many professing Christians who are not seeing the Trinity of God in Scriptures. The teaching is clearly revealed throughout the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the one that many want to leave out of the picture. They only see Him as a power, an influence, but not a person of the Godhead, or the final person of the Trinity.
We Baptists believe in the Trinity, because it is a doctrine of Scripture. Many will say, “That word ‘trinity’ is nowhere used and the Bible”, and they would be correct, yet the idea is clearly presented as I declared in an earlier post. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all at work “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1-3); the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are again clearly seen at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3).
The following is from our Statement of Faith concerning the Holy Spirit:
C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
It was by the Spirit of God, also known as the Holy Spirit, that we have Holy Scripture and by these we can know God, His Son Jesus, and the power of the Spirit. It is because of the Spirit that we are “Sealed until the day of redemption”,
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV).
Without the Holy Spirit of God moving there is no one who would ever be saved and delivered from sin and its temptations. Jesus was dependent upon the Holy Spirit. It was the Spirit who led Him into the wilderness and strengthened Him for those 40 days and nights. It is by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we know we are the children of God.
Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8:9b (NKJV).
The Spirit of Christ is, of course, the Holy Spirit. It is also the Holy Spirit who equips Christians to serve the Lord Jesus. He points all to Christ, glorifying Him and Him alone. He does not call attention to Himself, but to Christ. We can know that anytime anyone is magnifying the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives they are completely out of line with Scripture, and out of fellowship with God.
We as Baptists have often been accused of neglecting the work of the Holy Spirit, but that is not really the case. We see Him as being quietly, peaceably, behind the scenes glorifying our Savior, giving us power to live for the honor and glory of Jesus, and calling no attention to ourselves, but Jesus alone.
I am Tim A. Blankenship
Good Blogs to Read
It has been some time since I have put any recommendations for blogs to read. I still commend those who I have read from the beginning, such as Heavenly Heartburn, Hungry for Holiness, Byway Blessings. Those are still wonderful reading, but there are some new ones I enjoy.
I am only placing these in a somewhat random order so I am placing no order of preference. I recommend these by also saying that I do not always agree with what they write, but appreciate many things that they do. The first one I want to tell you of is Trinitarian Don a blog by Don McConnell, dean of Trinity University’s Law School in California. Then, there is Devine Theology by Dr. Mark Devine currently Associate Professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary near Kansas City, MO.. Another one along the line of Theology is The Baptist, and you will enjoy his perspective on Baptists and Southern Baptists in particular. I also discovered this one and I am not sure of this man’s full name, but I do enjoy his articles. It is called, The Shepherd’s Staff. I will end these recommendations with one by a fellow Missouri Baptist Blogger; and that is Shepherd’s Walk by David Krueger.
My prayer is that these will all be a blessing to you in your reading.
BF&M – God: The Son
One of the very basic doctrines of Baptists is the belief and Biblical teaching of the deity of Jesus Christ. The Bible is quite clear on this teaching, and it is clear from much of Jesus’s own words.
Here is our Statement of Faith concerning Jesus Christ:
B. God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
Jesus was with the Father in the creation of all that is. It is even said of Jesus, “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made” John 1:3 (KJV). Then, again in Colossians the apostle Paul wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17 (KJV).
When you follow the ministry of Jesus through the Gospels you see much more than a man. You see God who became flesh; “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NKJV). We see Him changing water to wine (John 2); we find Him walking on the water (John 6:15-21); we see Him feeding five thousand people with only “five barley loaves and two small fish” (John 6:1-14); we also, see Him stilling a storm on the sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:23-27). That is only a small number of the mighty things which Jesus did as the Son of God, God become flesh as He walked among men. Only God can do these mighty things.
Jesus, also claimed deity for Himself. “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working. Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbat, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.” John 5:17-18 (NKJV). There are many who will admit that Jesus is the Son of God, but will not confess that He is indeed God incarnate. If indeed He is the Son of God, that in itself declares He is God.
It is in Jesus Christ alone by which we are saved.
I am Tim A. Blankenship
Noah, “Rest”
Genesis 5:1-32 Conclusion.
“And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died. And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” Genesis 5:31-32 (KJV).
Now we have come to the final link in this genealogy. That is Noah. Noah’s name means “Rest”. There is an intended message to be given to the then world, which was about to perish; yes!!! Though it were over five hundred years from the time of Noah’s birth to the time of the flood; I say they were about to perish.
Allow me to give you the ages of these men once again. Adam is now dead, having died when Lamech was 56 years of age. At the birth of Noah Seth would also have been dead for 14 years having died at the age of 912. Enos is 821 years of age; Cainan is 731; Mahalaleel 661; Jared 596; Enoch was translated at the age of 365, or 69 years before Noah was born; Methuselah 369; Lamech being 182 years old when his son Noah is born. Remember, this is the godly line of Seth through which God offered the then sinful people much grace. For holy God to be so full of mercy and endure such wickedness on the earth show to us His much patience.
There are some who proudly call themselves “Bible Scholars” who deny the historicity of these first eleven chapters of Genesis, and even all of the book of Genesis. We must realize that these men named, having sons, and naming them, along with their ages at the birth of the son, and their ages at the time of death; surely confirm the reality and history of these people. Was there a real Adam and Eve? The Bible confirms their reality; first in Genesis 2 and 3, then by Luke in the genealogy of Jesus and His birth (Luke 3:38). Paul mentions Adam as being the “First man” (Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:45, 47). If Adam was only an allegory, analogy, myth, then Jesus and Paul; as well as other reputable historians of that day would have debunked that from the beginning.
Jesus Himself quoted the scripture which God gave to Adam and Eve concerning marriage (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6). Jesus also gave reference to Noah (Matthew 24:37); of whom if he had not been a actual historical being Jesus would have exposed it for the falsehood that it was. However, Adam was an actual man, created by God in God’s image. Noah, too, was a historical being, and we will address him further in a later writing. Jesus would not have supported or encouraged the teaching of myth.
If there was a Noah, then there was also a Lamech, whose father was Methuselah; whose father was Enoch, and was translated; whose father was Jared; whose father was Mahalaleel; whose father was Cainan; whose father was Enos; whose father was Seth; whose father was Adam, whose Maker and Father is God.
Lamech died at the age of 777. This was only about 5 years before the great flood. Not one man named in this holy lineage of Seth lived to see the flood. All died – look at the scriptures – the birth of each one ends with, “and he died”. So do we all unto this day. All died with the exception of Enoch who was “translated”, and Noah, who did not die in the flood, but was lifted above it (7:17); but even Noah died.
Noah means “Rest”. At the age of five hundred Noah is called by God to build and ark. Somewhere, in and around his fifth century of life God gives him three sons.
God uses Noah to deliver hmankind from destruction. It is quite possible that during the hundred years Noah was building the ark that his father, Lamech, Methuselah, and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth helped in its building. Lemech and Methuselah were the only remaining two named in this lineage.
Noah was also a preacher (1 Peter 3:18-20), warning his neighbors, relatives and family of the impending judgment from God coming on the whole earth. Some today tell us that the disease of AIDS could not be, and is not, judgment from God, because of all the innocent children who are afflicted by it, and the supposed “innocent” who are afflicted by it through blood supplies and other means. What about the flood? Was it or was it not judgment from God? Maybe it was just due to a previous affliction of “Global warming”, or “Global cooling”. Not at all. Were there young and “innocent” children who died in the flood? You and I both know that there were. All diseases and sickness are a direct result of Adam’s and Eve’s sin of rebellion in the garden of Eden. Let us never forget that. There is judgment for our sins and those of our children.
There are none who are sinless in God’s eyes (Romans 3:10, 23). There is only one sinless person who ever lived; and we couldn’t stand Him, and we nailed Him to a tree, and there He died. We deserve the wrath of God. In and by His mercy and grace He has chosen to save some. In that we can find rest for our souls.
God has provided an ark of salvation. That ark is none other than Jesus Christ and His shed blood; shed to make atonement for our souls (Hebrews 4:9).
Here is the meaning of their names all in one line – “Appointed”, “Mortal”, “Sorrow”, “Blessed God”, “Descended”, “Experienced”, “Judgment – Death which would bring”, “Strength”, “Rest”. Is the Gospel message in those words?
BF&M – God: The Father
There are many beliefs about “God”, and some could and would say, ‘gods’, but there is only one God. The one God is the LORD. He is the Creator of all that exists. There is nothing that exists which He did not create. He created all things, even that which He made in His own image, and after His likeness; for His own glory.
The Baptist Faith & Message statement:
II. God
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
A. God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.
This statement of faith is just that, and it gives we Baptists a means of cooperating together. Most Christians can agree with the statement given above, no matter what their denomination is.
In Genesis 1:1 we read, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (NKJV). The name “God” given here is in Hebrew ‘Elohim’ a plural name for our Creator, and tells us that He is One yet has a plural personality. Most Christians believe that is made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That is where we stand as Baptists. He is God. We can actually see the Persons at work in the creation. “God said”, that is His Word going forth to create, ie., the Living Word; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1. Then, we see the Spirit, “Hovering over the face of the waters” Genesis 1:2.
In the New Testament there are at least two instances we see the trinity manifested, one of which is at the baptism of Jesus.
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17 (NKJV).
This clearly shows the presence of the Father, the One who spoke from heaven; we see the Spirit who descended in the form of the dove; and the Son is the One who was just baptized. This is not only a Baptist teaching, but clearly a Biblical teaching. We are a Biblical people. Let’s continue to stand on the Biblical principles and teachings.
I am Tim A. Blankenship.
What ‘All Things Baptist’ is About
There has been much discussion among Baptists concerning the Bible, the direction of the Southern Baptist Convention since the Renewal which began in 1979, and even more recently discussion concerning policies of our International Missions Board, and the Trustees policies on the appointment of new Missionaries.
These things are grievous to me. I have no problem with discussing these matters, however, much of the discussion is leading toward the taking of the SBC into ecumenicalism, and away from the doctrines of Baptists and Southern Baptists in particular.
When I find the time I will be writing articles concerning Baptists distinctives. It has long been held by Baptists that the Bible is our only creed, and I whole heartedly agree. We have adopted articles to which we cooperate for the purpose of missions and ministry to our fellow churches, and members through local Associations, State Convention and the National Convention. The local church is the place where ministry is conducted. The Association, the State Convention and the National Convention answers to each atonomous local church, through messengers who are sent to the meetings of each entity.
Let me let it be known up front. I am not an authority of Baptists History, nor polity, but as I write the coming articles I can and will be dependent upon those who have gone before me. There are many things which we Baptists had better open our eyes to. One of them being; WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BE POPULAR, BUT WE ARE CALLED TO BE FAITHFUL.
The Bible is our creed. There are things we must learn from our Baptist forefathers, but not worship them.
I am Tim A. Blankenship, Pastor of Carr Lane Baptist Church in Southwest Missouri.
Baptist Faith and Message – The Scriptures
In this article I will write about the Scriptures, or otherwise know as the Bible, the Holy Bible. The first statement made in this article is the first statement of Southern Baptist Statement of Faith called the “Baptist Faith and Message”. It has Scripture references with it.
“I. The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation. Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.”
One of the references given is from 2 Timothy 3:15-17, and is probably the most known among Southern Baptists and probably all Baptists.
“… That from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV).
As Baptists we believe that the Scriptures are the Word of God. If anyone only believes that the Bible only “contains the Word of God”, then they are not truly Baptists.
By the Word of God we can know God, His heart, His passion, and we can know that He loves the human race. We also can know that Scriptures are profitable for doctrine, ie., teaching; for reproof, ie., the exposing of error and heresy; for correction – that is setting forth of discipline in the church; and for instruction in righteousness – showing the people the things which will be pleasing to God and will glorify Him.
A second portion of Scripture I want us to look at is 2 Peter 1:19-21:
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for the prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:10-21 (NKJV)
When we study the Word of God we can rest assured that there will be no portion of it to contradict, lead us astray, or bring shame to our lives, or rob the glory that belongs only to God. Not one verse can stand on its own, nor can one man’s interpretation of any one verse stand alone. The verses of Scripture must be understood in the light of the whole.
When you trust God and His Word, you have nothing to fear. If we fear God we need fear nothing else.
I am Tim A. Blankenship
Lamech, “Strength”
Genesis 5:1-32 continued…
“And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed. And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:” Genesis 5:28-30 (KJV).
Notice, Adam at Lamech’s birth would now be 874 years of age; Seth is 744; Enos is 639; Cainan 549; Mahalaleel 479; Jared is 414; Enoch 259 – he would have been walking with the LORD at this time for 194 years; Notice that these men are all still living at the time of Lamech’s birth.
Lamech is the second of such names in chapters 4 and 5. The first mentioned is the seventh in the lineage of Cain. He is a murderer; a destroyer (4:17-24), and he defies God’s direction concerning marriage by taking two wives.
Lamech of Seth’s lineage is the son of Methuselah and the father of Noah. What a wonderful place/position to be born: between God’s judgment and His rest.
Lamech means “Destroyer/Strength”. Certainly in Lamech of Seth he is strength. It would be the strength of God. It is clear from the scriptural text concerning Lamech of Cain that he was a destroyer.
There is strength for all who will follow the direction of God and walk in His peace.
God Makes a Preacher
The call of the prophet was one of separation. It was one for Jeremiah that would separate him from his family, due to the message he would be proclaiming, it would even keep him from marriage. There were times he would even feel that God had forsaken Him. We will see these things as we progress through this wonderful prophecy which our LORD God has given us.
The passage of the prophet for today is chapter one, verses 17-19;
“Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.” Jeremiah 1:17-19 (KJV).
The idea of “girding up the loins” is the idea of getting one’s self ready for the task at hand. You might would say of a preacher called by God, “Get yourself ready to do My bidding”. As Paul spoke to Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV). Jeremiah was called to preach the Word of the Lord and he must be prepared. He must know that calling is sure, becaue there were going to come times in his ministry where that would be all that he had.
“Arise”, get up and get going, the time is short. “Speak to them all that I command thee”. There can be no changing of the message to soften the impact. It must be spoken as God has given it. It is sad to say and to think, but there are many preachers, who are pastors of churches and preach (if you can call it that) messages that are watered down versions of the truth, thus not the truth, but lies. They would rather be popular with their people. Popular with the people unpopular with God. Which would we be? God says to the prophet, “Be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them”.
The prophet is called to stand, to be strong. God tells Jeremiah, “I have made you this day a defenced city, an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests , and against the people of the land.” This is God’s promise to Jeremiah of God’s protection from harm. Even when the judgment comes on the land, even though the people, the kings, the princes, and the priests turn against him Jeremiah is promised protection. His life will be kept and preserved. Someone has said, “The man of God in the will of God is immortal, until God is through with him”. That is a profound statement. Of course the one who made that statement must have been speaking of this temporal life we live here on earth, because with Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are immortal anyway.
The promise of God for protection would be a mighty force in the faithfulness of Jeremiah. The promise is a mighty power in our lives as well. To think that his own family, friends, king, princes, and others would try to harm him, even try to kill him, and he having the promise of God’s protection and keeping. “They shall fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you.” Would you rather have the friendship of the world, or the protection and power of God on your life? Think about it. You cannot have both, if you are going to be a preacher of God’s Word.
A Writing of Divorce
Matthew 5:21-48 continuing…
“It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” Matthew 5:31-32 (KJV).
We live in a day when divorce is running rampant. The Christian family is as infected as is the people outside the Christian faith. The percentage runs about 50 percent. Half of all marriages end in divorce according to statistics. For me to say that Christians are getting divorces as much as those who are not Christians really grieves my heart.
I cannot believe that anyone who has been divorced entered the marriage thinking, “I am going to get married for a few years, and then, get a divorce”. I may be wrong, but I cannot imagine that. I do believe there are some who give their vows to one another thinking, “If this does not work out we can always get a divorce”. I think that is why many get a divorce. There is no bonding. No commitment to the relationship.
It seems that Jesus is referring to a passage of scripture in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 having to do with the process of divorce. The religious leaders of the day had been teaching that a man could divorce his wife for burning the toast. The divorce laws today just as well not exist. They are so lenient that there is no reason needed to get one. NO FAULT divorce.
It might help us to understand this law better to realize that women in the time of Moses had no rights in marriage. The woman was at the mercy of her husband, and in almost every situation if not every situation, she had to marry whom her parents – her father – decided. The only legitimate divorce was if there was proof that she was not a virgin when she and her husband were married. When a husband brought such charges, and if they were false, the parents had the wedding night bedding, and could produce evidence of her virginity. If they had no proof of her virginity, then he could give her a writing of divorce, and she could go and be another man’s wife (See Deuteronomy 22:13-21). Women had no legitimate means of support, except a husband. In many situations their only other alternative was harlotry/prostitution. For a man to give a writing of divorce for another reason other than that mentioned caused her to commit adultery by marrying another man, and the man committed adultery as well. If a man became jealous suspecting his wife of unfaithfulness they had a means of caring for this also (See Numbers 5:11-31).
Jesus’s words on divorce are quite strong. It causes many of us to question what He meant. It is clear. The only reason for a man to divorce his wife was for “the cause of fornication”, ie., sexual sin, sexual impurity. If a man divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and she marries another she commits adultery, and the man who marries her commits adultery. This can also be reversed for the woman and the man concerning our day. In Jesus’s day the woman was not allowed to seek a divorce. Women today can seek a divorce, so that is why I say the thing can be reversed with the woman seeking a divorce.
Divorce, as it is practiced in our society of 2007, does not make sense. It is almost always a losing proposition. The man loses, the woman loses, and if there are children they are the biggest losers, but not of their own doing.
Methuselah, “Judgment”
Genesis 5:1-32 continuing…
“And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech: And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.” Genesis 5:25-27 (KJV).
At the birth of Methuselah; Adam is now 687 years of age; Seth is 557; Enos 452; Cainan 362; Mahalaleel 292; and Jared is 227.
It is a difficult task to separate Enoch from Methuselah. The Scriptures lead us to believe that God warned Enoch of a coming judgment through His son Methuselah. It is after the birth of his son, that Enoch ‘walked with God’. The time Enoch walked with God was greater than the time before Methuselah.
Methuselah was given as a warning, a sign of coming judgment upon a godless, immoral, decadent world. The many sons and daughters of these antedilubians, which are not mentioned, along with the descendants of Cain had began falling into great wickedness.
The surrounding scriptural evidence is what we have to show us that wickedness was great on the earth. Chapter 5 provides us an “Island” of hope in a sea of madness“. God always has a people of His own who make a difference, and whom He uses to deliver humankind from evils deadly snares.
This man; Methuselah lived longer than any other. His name means “Man of the dart”, “When he is dead it shall be sent”, or “Death which would bring”, or to put it in short, “Judgment”. What judgment is being spoken of ? It could only be one. That of the global flood. Is it any wonder why Enoch walked with God? It is not certain that Enoch knew what type of judgment God would send on the earth, nor when it would come, but Enoch believed God.
Enoch would not live, on earth, to see the great deluge to come. He would be translated [raptured] 300 years after the birth of his son. Six hundred sixty nine years later a flood which covered the whole sphere of the earth would destroy every breathing living thing, except those protected on God’s ark.
Oh, take a look at God’s wonderful, marvelous grace He puts on display through His servant Methuselah. He gave the world 969 years to turn to Him, but they would not. The very year, and it could be, even, the very week that Noah entered the ark, this son of Enoch died. Thus, making “When he is dead it shall be sent” a very powerful warning. Could there be a Methuselah in our day who is an example of God’s grace? There is. It is the Church. It is everyone who names the name of Christ, and lives for His glory. When the Church is gone; Then comes the judgment upon the people of the earth.
God does not send judgment until He first sends a messenger who warns of His judgment coming – “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7 (KJV).
O, the pure grace of God is efficient for all who will come to Him.
Have a Wonderful Father’s Day
It is that one day a year when there is a special recognition of Fathers. We are appreciated by our families. At least, most of us are. There are probably some fathers who come here to Fire and Hammer who may not feel too appreciated, but know that you are loved and cared for.
Our Heavenly Father cares for and loves you. He may be the One who can make a wonderful difference between you and your family. He loves you the way you are. He can and will save you the way you are, and know this, He loves you too much to leave any of us the way we are.
God bless you men, and have a great day in the Lord.
What Do You See?
The prophet has seen the “Rod of the almond tree”, and it was the message from God that He was going to bring His Word to pass very quickly. The seeing of the “Rod…” itself is the sign of discipline and judgment. It can also be a sign of protection, if you are on the right side of it.
The LORD asked Jeremiah again, “What do you see?” Jeremiah 1:13 (NKJV), and the prophet says, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north”. A “boiling pot” is a hot matter. It has taken some time for the contents of the pot to come to the point of boiling.
At the time of Jeremiah it has basically been many, many years that the people of Israel and of Judah have grown cold to the Lord and His Word. They have turned a deaf ear to the meaning of their sabbath days, holy days, their feasts, and have in fact turned their hearts toward other gods.
Their comforts, their riches, their houses and their lands are of more importance and they care more for those things than for others, or God.
For many years in our own Nation of the United States of America many professing Christians have grown more concerned with their health, wealth, houses, cars, and lands, than they have with being holy, righteous, and the care of our poorer brothers and sisters in Christ. There is a ‘Boiling pot’ that is ready to be spilled on us. It may be in the form of a collapsed economy; is that laughable? You may have the first laugh, but God will have the final one. People are dollaring themselves right out of their new and older homes.
The ‘Boiling pot’ may not be coming from our North, but it is coming from the thing which Americans fear the most. What is that? Economic collapse. For too long people and even Christians have put their hope in the economy being good, when it has basically been built on nothing visible, but the invisible value of their home. It should really just be called ‘Their house’, because to many it is just an investment, and they have placed the value of their lives in the value of their house. May God help us, and forgive us.
God says to the prophet, “Out of the North calamity shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land”. Jeremiah 1:14 (NKJV). When people turn their backs on God, and turn to their own means, comfort, health, wealth, and security, then is when the water in the pot begins to boil. It has been boiling now for many years. Let’s repent of our deeds and turn to the LORD.
Just a Thought
Matthew 5:21-48 continued…
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30 (KJV).
Wouldn’t it be really great to have “Thought Police”. Of course, it would have to be someone who could read your mind and thoughts. They would also need to know the intent of your heart in order to make a righteous judgment. Now, Jesus is saying what the law has told us, “Thou shalt not commit adultery”. Is that not clear enough, then, He says, “But I say unto you…” Who is this? It is Jesus. You could be right in even saying, “He knows your every thought and the intent of your heart”. This One says, “…That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” On the outward appearance there are a lot of men who would be okay with just the law, since many have not committed physical adultery against their wives. Looking on the thoughts and hearts in the matter guilt would cover the world like a flood. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!
This indictment against us is strong. I am guilty of having looked at some women with lust. May God give me a purer thought life, and a better heart for Him, and forgiveness for my sin.
Is it sinful for a man to look at a woman, and see her beauty, and form? Only if that leads to lust. Lust is the desire; lingering, longing desire, that is felt as a thirsty tongue for water in a dry and barren land. There is nothing wrong with admiring the beauty God has created. It becomes lust if you feel you must have it for yourself.
Is Jesus serious about plucking out the eye that offends, cutting off the hand that offends? He is showing how seriously He takes sin. How seriously did Jesus take sin? So serious He voluntarily went to the cross, laid down His life, and died. The plucking out of the eye and the cutting off of the hand, and casting it from us; shows us how seriously we should take sin. If our eye looks upon a woman with lust, it will not really do us any good to pluck out the eye; there will still be lust in the heart. It is a heart issue, not an eye issue. Change of heart will lead to a change of view. Some women may be reading this and think that this does not apply to them. Oh yes it does. Women can have a problem with lust as well.
Enoch, “The Experienced One”
Genesis 5:1-32 continuing…
“And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:21-24 (KJV).
The name ‘Enoch’ is a wonderful name. It is not only an easy name to pronounce, but it also has a great meaning. He is one of two men the Bible mentions as having “Walked with God”. That would be quite the experience. You know what? That is the meaning of the name, ‘Enoch’ – “The Experienced one”.
Adam is now 622 years of age at Enoch’s birth; Seth is 492; Enos 387; Cainan 297; Mahalaleel 227. My these men are old.
There is much more said of Enoch; in this genealogy; than any other until we get to Noah. Enoch was one who had a very personal experience with God. Other than Noah, he is the only one of whom it is said, “…Walked with God”. “And Enoch walked with God…”, and it says of Noah, “and Noah walked with God (6:9). If God were to place that on my tombstone that would be a great honor.
Let’s look at the time when “Enoch walked with God”. Enoch was 65 years of age when Methuselah was born. It is written that, “Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years…” The name of his son was a prophecy which inspired Enoch to “Walk with God”.
Something very special happened to Enoch. Of the others in this Adamic lineage, Enoch is the only one of whom it is not said, “and he died”, but it is said of Enoch, which cannot be said of any other except those who will go in the rapture, “…he was not; for God took Him”. The writer of Hebrews states it this way, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5 (KJV). Clearly and simply the Word of God tells us that Enoch did not die. He “Experienced” Rapture, a snatching away, a parousia. Where did he go? With God. This is the destiny of all who will walk with God. Amos the prophet asked the question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. There is no walking with God if you are not in agreement with Him.
If we are to walk with God we must agree with Him that His Son Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, and He is the one who said, “no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). Enoch means “Experienced”, and what a wonderful life he experienced. We can too.
Jared, “Descent”
Genesis 5:1-32 continuing…
“And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.” Genesis 5:18-20 (KJV).
I may be a little redundant giving you the ages of these men, but I find it fascinating that at this period of time they would live so long. Here the ages of these men are at the time of the birth of Jared – another easy name. Adam has now reached the age of 460 years, Seth 330 years, Enos 225 years, and Cainan 135 years of age. Quite the tribute to the endurance of mankind??? Not hardly. More a tribute to the mercy and grace of God Almighty; Creator of all living.
Knowing the age of Adam’s death we can see that he is approaching the halfway point of his life. The days increase and death sneaks up. We do not know when. Whether we live 930 years or a mere 80 years only God knows the day and hour of our physical demise.
In Jared there is hope of deliverance. A word from God. A hope. Something, that God Something; inspired Mahalaleel to name his son ‘Jared’. A descending of God to the level of man, “yet without sin” (“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb 4:15 (KJV) was a hope for every godly person even before the deluge.
Jared means “A descent” or “Came down”. That is exactly what God did on the day Jesus was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary. God came down to be like us, “Yet without sin”.
The Almond Tree
The prophet has been called to proclaim the Word of God to a sinful and rebellious people. He has been told by God, that he has been known by Him even before he was conceived in the womb of his mother. Jeremiah the prophet has been told to speak every word God puts in his mouth.
Now comes the time to check his vision. “Jeremiah, what do you see?” (1:11) “I see a branch of an almond tree.” If a man is going to proclaim the Word of the Lord GOD, then he must be able to see what God is about to do, or at least what he desires to do.
Here is what God says about the seeing of the almond tree branch. “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word”. (v. 12)
The almond tree was an early tree. It wakened from its dormancy earlier than any other tree. The thing Jeremiah saw God used to tell him that the Word of God was going to be done just as God declared it through him, and it would be very quickly. It would be earlier than any other.
The message of God’s Word would be faithfully preached by the prophet, but not without sorrow and pain. There would be no delay. Jeremiah must hasten to the work of his ministry.
Just how close are we to the time we will see the fulfilling of the final prophecies of the Word of God. They are at the door. Jesus could return for His Bride at any moment. Do not delay to call on His name in repentance for sin, and trust completely in Him for salvation.
The Fire and Hammer 