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"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
Modern Versions and
Perversions
Baptism for the
Dead
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
Tall in Stature
Modern Versions and Perversions
Joe R. Price
There are over 450 versions
of the Bible in English alone. New versions continue to be published, not
all of which have as their primary interest that of being a precise
translation of the ancient manuscripts. In fact, very few have that as
their intended purpose. The September 25, 1995 issue of U. S. News &
World Report carried an article entitled “Street Talk, Simplicity and
PC” which reported the aim of many of the modern-day versions of the Bible
is to make the “ancient scriptures more relevant and comprehensible to
modern readers than the standard King James Version.” I am all for
comprehending the Biblical text and for using understandable translations
that help us understand it. Current language rather than archaic words and
expressions can be very helpful toward that end. At the same time we must
recognize there are Bible “translations” that do not faithfully translate
the ancient text. Rather than producing faithful translations, such
versions are “thought” translations, offering us interpretations of the text
rather than translations of it. These will not help us arrive at an
accurate understanding of God’s word since their objective is not a word for
word translation. Such versions cannot be confidently relied on as God’s
word.
Some attempts at modern
language Bibles are nothing short of blasphemous. THE NEW TESTAMENT AND
PSALMS: AN INCLUSIVE VERSION, published by Oxford University Press, uses
gender-neutral language and other departures from the original text. God
the Father is now the “Father-Mother” and the Son of Man is “the human
one.” So as not offend left-handed people, God’s right hand is now His
“mighty hand,” and to avoid racial overtones, “darkness” is not used to
depict evil. Ah yes, politically correct scriptures yet woefully corrupt
translations.
Then there is the BLACK
BIBLE CHRONICLES, a paraphrase by P. K. McCary, a Houston educator. She has
used slang to “liven up” Biblical narratives for African-American
teenagers. Here is her treatment of creation from Genesis One: “Now when
the Almighty was first down with his program, He made the heavens and the
earth. The earth was a fashion misfit, being so uncool and dark, but the
Spirit of the Almighty came down real tough, so that He simply said,
‘Lighten up!’ And that light was right on time.” McCary also offers a
paraphrase of the gospel called RAPPING WITH JESUS.
We can learn at least two
things from this. First, when we are not convinced the Bible is the
verbally inspired word of God we begin to take more and more license with
it. We fail to respect it as we should. We begin to shape it and mold it
into what we want it to be, instead of conforming ourselves to it. The
Bible calls such manipulation of the scriptures sin that leads to
destruction (2 Pet. 3:16). Man has become the standard by which the Bible
is judged instead of the other way around.
Second, could it be that we
have become so lazy in our reading and study of the Bible that we simply do
not want to exert the energy and effort required to know and properly use
it? (2 Tim. 2:15) We want all the work done for us. We have become
comfortable with mediocre Bible knowledge. We should remember that Israel
was destroyed for her lack of knowledge (Hos. 4:6).
God’s word is “living and
active” and “abides forever” (Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:23-25). We should use a
translation of the Bible we can easily read and that is faithful to the
Hebrew and Greek text. But we must not alter the text and meaning of God’s
inspired word with “modern versions” that are really perversions (Gal.
1:6-9).
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Baptism for the Dead
Joe R. Price
Mormons contend that the New
Testament church practiced baptism for (on behalf of, in the place of) the
dead. Their attempted justification of this hinges, in part, on an
understanding of 1 Corinthians 15:29. However, their defense of baptism for
dead people goes beyond that. They affirm that after death one still
possesses the ability to choose right and wrong. To them, baptism for a
dead person provides that person with the opportunity to choose
whether they will accept its benefits and “progress to the celestial
kingdom” (Mormon terminology for eternal life). This is clearly against the
meaning of Hebrews 9:27 and Luke 16:25-26.
We should allow plain passages of
Scripture help explain the more difficult ones. While 1 Corinthians 15:29
admittedly presents certain challenges of interpretation, the meaning of the
passage is within our reach. While establishing the truth of resurrection
from the dead, the apostle offers a motive for baptism that is nullified if
there is no resurrection from the dead. That motive (for being baptized of
which Paul speaks) is the death of saints who willingly give their lives for
their faith. Stephen comes to mind, as do other Christians who died at the
hand of their persecutors (Acts 7:57-60; 26:10; Rev. 2:13). Their deaths
helped motivate others to be baptized into Christ. Paul’s point is this:
“if the dead are not raised, why then are they baptized for them?”
If there is no resurrection, to be baptized only to experience martyrdom
without future hope of life is indeed futile and foolish (1 Cor. 15:17-19).
The word translated “for” in 1
Corinthians 15:29 is the preposition huper, and can mean “on account
of” (example can be found in Acts 15:26; Rom. 1:5). Notice that Paul makes
ascending application in his remarks: “they” (15: 29), “we”
(15:30) and “I” (15:31-32). His summary is that “if the dead are
not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (15:32). To
conclude that “baptism for the dead” in verse 29 can only be proxy baptism
fails to consider the circumstances that give context and explanation to
Paul’s statement.
There is another reason to
conclude Paul is not advocating the practice baptism in the place of the
dead.
The New Testament teaches there
is only “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5). Mormonism has added another
baptism to the great commission baptism commanded by Jesus (Matt. 28:19; Mk.
16:15-16). When we compare LDS baptism for the dead with the great
commission baptism, it becomes apparent that LDS baptism for the dead is the
result of human additions to the word of God.
Please note these differences
between the baptism preached by Christ’s first century apostles and the one
preached by the 21st century Mormon apostles:
·
GREAT COMMISSION BAPTISM is for the living, is personal and is
for the remission of sins. It is Biblical and true (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38;
22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).
·
LDS BAPTISM FOR THE
DEAD is for the dead, is in place of someone else, and allegedly provides
the dead with a choice to accept or reject its benefit. It is non-Biblical
and false. This LDS doctrine and practice changes the apostolic gospel of
the first century; something Galatians 1:6-9 warns us we must never do.
Remember, the living have time
and opportunity to obey, praise and serve God, but the dead await God’s
judgment for the deeds done while in the flesh (Isa. 38:18-19; Heb. 9:27;
Lk. 16:19-31; Heb. 3:7-11). “For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).
Utilize the time you have to believe and obey the gospel of Christ; now is
the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2; Eph. 5:16; Jas. 4:15-17).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
The "No Pattern" Theory (1)
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy
1:8-14
1. God
deals with men in patterns – Psa. 119:160 (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
2. More & more brethren reject the concept of Bible patterns.
3. Fundamental difference in how we view & apply divinely given patterns is
central to why God’s people have & are divided (why churches of Christ are
divided, 1 Cor. 11:19).
I. IS
THERE SUCH A THING AS BIBLE PATTERNS?
A.
There Were Patterns in the Old Testament.
1. Noah – Gen. 6:22.
2. Moses – Exo. 25:8-9, 40; 26:30; 27:8; Heb. 8:5 (Acts 7:41, 44).
3. Nadab & Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2); Saul (1 Sam. 15:3, 8, 22);
Jeroboam (1 Kgs. 12:28-33); Solomon (1 Chrn. 28:10-12, 19-20 (29:1).
B. There Are Patterns in the New Testament – Rom. 6:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:13;
Phil. 3:17 (Tit. 2:7-8).
II. HOW
PATTERNS ARE REVEALED.
A. How
Scriptural Authority is Established.
1. Direct command / statement (1 Cor. 11:24-26).
2. Approved apostolic example (Acts 20:7).
3. Necessary inference (Acts 20:7; Exo. 20:8).
B. Scriptural Authority is Revealed & Applied in Generic & Specific
Terms.
|
Command |
Generic |
Specific |
|
Noah |
Wood |
Gopher |
|
Naaman |
Water |
River
Jordan |
|
Disciples |
Go |
Preach
gospel |
|
Church |
Music |
Sing |
|
Preach
Edify
Relieve |
Organization |
Local Church |
III.
DISCERNING PATTERNS,
Phil. 1:9-11.
A. The
Pattern will be Revelation from God – Gal. 1:6-10; Col. 3:16-17.
B. The Pattern will be Universal – Mk. 16:15; 1 Co. 4:17; 7:17; 11:16;
14:33.
C. The Pattern will be Apostolic – 1 Cor. 14:37; Gal. 1:8; 1 Jno. 4:6
(cf. 1:3-4; 2:19).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
The "No Pattern" Theory (2)
Scripture Reading: Psalms
119:153-160
1. What
are the patterns for us today? – 2 Tim. 1:13
2. If one says the Bible teaches there are no patterns, doesn’t that make
the Bible a pattern for “no patternism”?
3. No stopping point once “no pattern” theory is accepted.
-The
pattern of sound words for…
I.
SALVATION FROM SINS.
A. “ No
Patternism” Would Demand that Jesus of Nazareth is not the Only Savior –
Jno. 14:6 (Acts 4:12)
B. “No Patternism” says No Plan of Salvation.
C. Pattern for Gospel Obedience – Rom. 6:17-18; 1 Tim. 1:16. (H-B-R-C-B)
II.
ORGANIZATION OF LOCAL CHURCH.
A. “No
Patternism” says no Pattern for Local Church Organization.
B. NT Pattern: Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1.
III.
WORSHIP OF THE LOCAL CHURCH.
A. “No
Patternism” used to Justify Instrumental Music in Worship.
B. God’s Pattern: All He Reveals About the Church’s Worship – Jno. 4:24
(Col. 3:16-17).
IV. THE
WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH.
A. “No
Patternism” Says Whatever You Can Conceive is Acceptable.
B. God’s Pattern for the Work of the Local Church: Care for needy saints
(1 Ti. 5:16); Evangelism (1 Ths. 1:8); Edification (1 Cor. 14:26).
V.
COOPERATION OF LOCAL CHURCHES.
A. “No
Patternism” Says There is No Binding Pattern of Congregational Cooperation
in the NT.
B. God’s Pattern for Congregational Cooperation in Benevolence,
Evangelism & Edification.
VI.
MORALITY.
A. “No
Patternism” used to Justify “Moral Relativism.”
B. God’s Pattern - Rom. 12:1-2; Tit. 2:12.
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Tall in
Stature
Joe R. Price
The Vietnamese Physical Training and Sports Institute wants to increase the
average height of its nation’s 20-year-old citizens by more than one inch by
the year 2010. (“Nation Frets That Its Young Are Not Tall Enough,” Reuters
News Service, May 7, 2004). The director of the institute proposes the
government spend $40 million on nutrition and exercise programs for
Vietnamese school children to meet this goal.
The glory of youth is their
strength and vigor. But, death is stronger and physical strength fades;
thus, wisdom is to be preferred (Prov. 20:29). Physical height is not the
actual measure of a man. Goliath was a giant among men but his defiance of
the living God brought his demise (1 Sam. 17). Saul stood head and
shoulders above his peers yet he is remembered for his disobedience and
rejection (1 Sam. 10:23; 15:1-23). On the other hand Zacchaeus, who was
“of short stature” displayed such zeal for righteousness that he is
remembered as a giant of faith (Lk. 19:1-10). It is far more significant to
be tall in faith than in physical stature.
Young and old alike pursue
bodily fitness through exercise and nutrition, and God does not rebuke such
endeavors. But, He does remind us in our pursuit for physical fitness that
we are mortal and that the more valuable and enduring fitness is godliness
(1 Tim. 4:8). To “exercise…toward godliness” requires good nutrition
(a steady and well-rounded diet of the word of God, Heb. 5:12-14) combined
with the exercise of living by the faith God’s word produces in us (Rom.
10:17; 2 Cor. 5:7). Young people who “flee youthful lusts” and
pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness”
will be spiritually fit – tall in spiritual stature (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Tim.
6:11). The same holds true for people of all ages.
Some Vietnamese are willing
to invest $40 million to grow taller. Are you dedicated to investing your
time and strength to grow in faith to be of great stature in the sight of
the Lord?
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