December 14, 2012

The Sect That Is Spoken Against Everywhere (12/14)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 27-28.

When Paul came to Rome as a prisoner, he was able to meet with “the leading men of the Jews” (Acts 28:17) and talk to them about why he was there and to explain to them the truth about the gospel he taught. However, these men knew little about Paul but had heard of a certain “sect” about which they were curious.

“They said to him, ‘We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere’” (Acts 28:21-22).

All they knew about this “sect” was that it had a bad reputation. But their reasonable approach to learning about it was commendable. Notice what they did and did not do:
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December 13, 2012

Accusations Made Against Paul (12/13)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 24-26.

When Paul stood before Felix, a lawyer named Tertullus brought accusations against him on behalf of the Jews. Notice the charges that were made:

“For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him” (Acts 24:5-6).

Tertullus made four accusations against Paul. Similar ones may be made against those who teach the truth today. Notice what these accusations were:
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December 12, 2012

How to Reach Others with the Gospel

Two Men Studying the Bible

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

The above passage is commonly referred to as the Great Commission. Though this commission was given exclusively to the apostles (there is no divine mandate for each Christian to “go into all the world” today), there certainly are principles that apply to us. God wants people to be saved and the gospel is the way to reach them. Therefore, we should be doing what we can to spread the gospel.

But how do we reach others with the gospel? There is more to be done in this regard than just standing up in the pulpit and preaching (though this is one of the ways which we will discuss). Not everyone can stand up in the pulpit and preach, but each one of us can do different things to help reach others with the gospel.

In this article, we will briefly notice some of the things that we can do as individuals to spread the gospel.
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December 6, 2012

Disguised as Servants of Righteousness (12/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 10-13.

Paul warned the brethren in Corinth about the dangerous influence of false teachers. His warning is just as appropriate for us today.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

False teachers will always exist, and we must be on the alert against them. But we should not think that false teachers will be immediately apparent as such. No false teacher is going to inform you that what he is teaching is not true. He will present his message as though it is the truth. He will disguise himself as a servant of righteousness.
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December 4, 2012

“Peddling the Word of God” (12/4)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 1-4.

When one has a product to sell, he will highlight its impressive features and keep silent about any real or perceived problems it may have. It is common for one to exaggerate and even lie in order to sell his product. If sales are not as good as he hopes, he may even decide to change the product altogether to make it more appealing to his target audience. When one is selling a regular product or service, there is nothing wrong with making changes in order to improve sales, as long as he continues to “provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17, KJV).

However, too many people view the gospel as a product to be sold and will, therefore, change it in order to make it appealing to a larger group of people. Yet the gospel is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16), not a common product to be marketed and sold. Therefore, we must not treat it as common or changeable. Notice what Paul told the brethren in Corinth:

“For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17).

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December 1, 2012

“Woe Is Me if I Do Not Preach the Gospel” (12/1)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 9-11.

While Paul preached in Corinth, he received no financial support from the church there. He either worked to support himself or received “wages” from other churches for his work (Acts 18:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9). Yet in the first part of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul argued that he had “a right to refrain from working” as he preached the gospel among them (1 Corinthians 9:6). He pointed out the fact that it was God’s intention for preachers to be supported.

“So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

Yet because of circumstances in Corinth, Paul chose not to take advantage of what should have been expected – support from those among whom he labored (1 Corinthians 9:15). But why would Paul forgo support? And without adequate support, why would he keep preaching? Notice what he told them:

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

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November 29, 2012

“Everywhere in Every Church” (11/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 1-4.

When one looks at the religious world, it is easy to see the great diversity in doctrines and practices among the various churches. These doctrines are often conflicting with one another. The practices are sometimes very different from one church to another. Yet most people accept this as though it is to be expected. But it is not supposed to be this way. Notice what Paul told the brethren in Corinth:

“For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17).

Paul’s message was consistent as he went from one church to another. He did not tailor the gospel to fit with the desires, traditions, or opinions of those he met. He preached the same gospel “everywhere in every church.”
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