[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]

Unity is precious in the sight of the Lord. John 17, commonly referred to as the Lord’s prayer, reflects the things that Christ desired for His disciples. John 17:21 states, “…that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” The idea being presented is the desire for the Lord’s body to be united as one. This would be one of the defining attributes of the Lord’s special people. Paul penned in 1 Corinthians 1:10 for the Corinthian brethren to be of the same mind and judgment. The unity was to be preserved in the Lord’s body in the face of brethren wanting divisions. In order to maintain the unity of the body of Christ, there are times when it is absolutely necessary to silence those who teach error concerning the gospel of Christ. They must be silenced because false doctrine spreads as cancer in the human body!

There are brethren that will not defend the truth against error until there is a large problem in the local congregation. I do see the wisdom in not constantly hammering an error that is not a problem at the immediate present, but can we not give warnings? Paul warned brethren concerning problems before the problems arose. This could prevent the issue from becoming a large problem for the congregation. Paul warned brethren concerning bad company (1 Cor. 15:33), evildoers (Phil. 3:2), those who might teach another gospel (Gal. 1:9), the possibility of apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1). Paul gave other warnings as well for the purpose of edifying the brethren. Being prepared for what is out in the world will help aid the Christian to wage a good warfare and maintain the unity of the body.

I am impressed when reading passages such as Galatians 2:5 where Paul and other faithful preachers did not yield or submit to those who were teaching error. When error is present, don’t leave it unattended, but extinguish the flame of error! When a flame goes unattended, the whole structure can burst into flame and be destroyed. We need to be watchful and ever prayerful as instructed by Paul in Ephesians 6. Are we going to be asleep at our post at this time in the war against the evil hosts?

In Titus 1, the Holy Spirit was compelled to have this passage preserved for us to consider and make applications. In this text, Paul tells Titus that there are those who are deceivers and empty talkers who will teach what they ought not. Note that Paul says in verse 11 that those who were teaching error were to be silenced! Paul identified the group (the insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party) and also noted some of the things that were being circulated or taught (Jewish myths, commands of people who turn away from the truth) in verse 14. Paul identifies the party, the problem, and gives the cure for the problem in verse 11. They must be silenced!

Also note in Titus 1 that Titus is not the only party responsible for the rebuking of those who teach error. This is also a responsibility for the elders of each congregation (Titus 1:9). This goes to show the importance of teaching and defending the truth when multiple individuals are given the responsibility directly from the Scriptures! We find that Paul emphasizes the thought of being sound (Titus 1:9, 13, 2:1,8) whether in speech or doctrine. Anything less than sound is unacceptable in the Lord’s sight! For unity to be maintained, we need to all be of the same mind and strive to be sound, steadfast, immovable, a vigilant soldier.

Sadly, there are brethren that will plainly say that we cannot be that bold and protest against error like the apostles and the preachers of the first century because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and we are not. This line of logic is not valid. We have the direct command (Titus 2:15), approved apostolic examples (Acts 9:19-22, Acts 17, Gal. 2:11), and the necessary inference from Matthew 28:20 where Jesus instructed His apostles to teach the disciples to observe all that He had commanded the apostles. Would this not include rebuking false teachers as Jesus did from time to time (Mt. 15:1-9, Mt. 23)? As Christians, our goal is to be as much like Christ as we possibly can (1 Pet. 2:21). Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Beloved brethren, will we follow the pattern?

Though brethren say that men today cannot be bold like those in the first century, we find the first century brethren were able to have the mind of Christ. The first century displayed this mind in their teaching and comparing spiritual things in spiritual terms (1 Cor. 2:16, 13). By studying the Scriptures we can also have the mind of Christ. If we can have the mind of Christ, can we therefore be spiritually minded? Absolutely! In fact, we find in Romans 8 that we must be spiritually minded because carnality is death (Rom. 8:6)! The men who were rebuking error were spiritually minded men, and we can have the same mindset since we too can have the same mind as they. Brothers and sisters, we can have the mind of Christ.

The Scriptures are inspired of God to fully equip the man of God for every good work. The brethren in the first century did not have the recorded Scriptures of the New Testament as we do today. The first century Christians were only able to prophesy in part (1 Cor. 13), but we have the Scriptures in its complete and perfect form. If we are capable to establish authority and follow the pattern in areas such as the plan of salvation, the acts of worship, and the work of the Church, then why can’t we use the same intelligence to learn how to preach according to the example and the pattern we find in the Scriptures?

We are not to be as children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, but a people that is united in Christ. To do so means we must sanctify the Lord, being ready to answer any question concerning the hope that is found in Christ. We noticed at the beginning of this study, Jesus wanted His people to be united in all things as the Godhead is united (John 17:21). When we are the strong Christians that Christ desires, we will be united together by the gospel of Christ to do the work that is set before us.

[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]

When studying God’s inspired word, it is very encouraging to read of examples of people who were very close to God. The relationships that we maintain can either make us stronger, or could destroy us at the same token. Relationships are essential necessities in our lives. Christians understand that God must come first above all things (Mt. 6:33), and furthermore our relationship with God will determine our destination for eternity- heaven or hell (Rom. 6). Is the relationship we have with God as strong as it ought to be, or is God as a mere acquaintance? There is no other relationship more important than the one we have with God!Continue Reading

[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]

It is understood that certain things are acceptable and other things are not. When unacceptable things are done, there is punishment. Conversely when acceptable things are exercised, there are awards. It is acceptable to drive a vehicle with a driver’s license, but it is not acceptable to drive without a license. When an individual is found driving without a license, there is a punishment that has been described by civil law for the law breaker. This is understood and such a law is enforced by the government. When we consider the things within our lives, we must realize that there are things that God has specified which are acceptable and unacceptable. The Christian has to determine from God’s word that which is acceptable and pursue it.
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[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]

When considering the awesome power of God, each person needs to realize that God’s hand is not “too short” to do anything. Consider Genesis chapter 1. When God created all things at creation, God merely spoke and it was. That is awesome to think that just by verbal command from God, everything was created from nothing! If God spoke man into existence, certainly God has the power to save man from his sins.

It is amazing that God does not expect the impossible, but the simple. In Romans 12:1-2 we find that Paul tells the Roman brethren that being a living sacrifice is a reasonable service. Pleasing God is not the impossible but rather is completely possible! Note that God’s word is simple, not crafty or deceiving. This is the point that Paul was making to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Here the text reveals that the gospel of Christ comes across as being foolish to those who choose not to believe, but to those that believe, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (1 Cor. 1:18; Rom. 1:16). By using the simple things of this life, God puts the wisdom of the world to shame. The Almighty that created the worlds has made reconciliation possible for man.

God has set His plan for man’s salvation. It is man’s duty to take heed to what God has said and be obedient (Eccl. 12:13-14). Yet, man has rejected God’s plan and devised his own way for salvation. Any other plan devised other than God’s plan leads to destruction (Mt. 7:13-14; Prv. 16:25). God said, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Is. 55:8-9). This ought to humble each man to realize that God is so much superior to man. Therefore let us come to listen to the glorious gospel of Christ!

I have noticed that many of this present world desire religion to be flashy, entertaining, an emotional rollercoaster, and more complicated than what God has planned. Such people need to review the “old paths” and test their traditions and contemporary activities and see how far they have strayed away from the truth. Consider the means by which we are saved. God says that we must hear the word (Rom. 10:17), then believe the word of God (Mark 16:16), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess that Jesus is the Christ (Rom. 10:9-10), and be baptized for the remission of sins (1 Pet. 3:21). Now man says that you feel when you are saved, the need to only believe that Jesus is the Christ (faith-only doctrine), and even go as far to say that God is too loving of a God to punish His creation. Such people that would teach, advocate, or condone such doctrines have become enemies of the cross of Christ!

Those who earnestly desire to follow God will look to the Scriptures and find His simple will. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Mt. 5:6). God’s word is what is able to satisfy the hunger for righteousness because it is His word that equips us to do good works (2 Tim. 3:17). The gospel of Christ teaches us to be baptized to remove our sins (Acts 2:38, Rom. 6:5-11). For the person who believes the gospel of Christ, that person understands that it is necessary to wash and be clean (Acts 22:16, Titus 3:5, 1 Pet. 3:21). Is it such a hard and complicated thing to understand? What if God asked us to do some great thing, would we do it? If so, then why is it that people rant and rave about baptism? The reason is simple- they are still too proud to submit, not desiring to serve God. Our attitude needs to be of that like Isaiah when he declared, “Here am I! Send me” (Is. 6:8). When God commands, we ought to jump at the chance to obey.

The Preacher concluded the matter as this: “Fear God and keep His commandments…” (Eccl. 12:13). This is the most we can do, and ought to be our greatest joy knowing that we serve the true and living God! We can understand God’s will and in turn obey it. In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul urged the brethren in Corinth to consider their ways and make sure they were abiding by God’s truth. The sweet psalmist of Israel said that the word of God is able to make wise the simple (Ps. 19:7). God’s will is reasonable (Rom. 12:2), living, and powerful (Heb. 4:12).It is possible to please God. God has told us what He wants; will we hear and take heed to the things that He has spoken? Remember that it was God’s word that caused creation, and it is His word that saves man today!