To admonish means “to warn, exhort”. Every Christian has the right and responsibility to admonish a fellow Christian in righteousness. We are not islands unto ourselves. Christians share in the spiritual blessings of Christ (Col. 1:12). While sharing together in heavenly blessings we show genuine care for one another when we properly admonish each other. Admonitions regarding spiritual things is an expression of true love and care (1 Pet. 4:8).

“And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom. 15:14). The word “able” here means “possible” or the power to do a thing. So, two things are essential  in order to be able or have the power to admonish others: goodness and knowledge. We need these qualities in abundance. The one (goodness) identifies purity of heart and honest motives, while the other (knowledge) respects the standard upon which the admonition is made. To be effective, our admonitions or warnings must reflect the goodness of Christ (cf. Gal. 6:1-2). Plus, a knowledge of His truth enables us to offer proper and correct warnings of spiritual danger (cf. Heb. 5:14; Jno. 7:24).

The Scriptures teach us we need to be able to admonish:

1) One another in song (Col. 3:16).

2) The disorderly (1 Ths. 5:14).

3) Brethren from whom we have withdrawn ourselves due to their     unrepentant sin (2 Ths. 3:14-15).

4) The factious man (Titus 3:10).

5) Every man to be perfect in Christ (Col. 1:28)

6) One another as beloved brethren (1 Cor. 4:14).

7) At all times (Acts 20:31).

May we dedicate ourselves to goodness and knowledge to be able to admonish one another. 

Honesty is characteristic of a disciple of Jesus. No one has ever lived who surpassed His honesty.  From Him we learn the essence of integrity and truthfulness.

Jesus is the Truth (Jno. 14:6). Not only is He the true way to the Father, His every word was spoken in total honesty, precision and certainty (Jno. 8:26, 46). Likewise, we must honestly speak the truth in love: Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another (Eph. 4:25); but, speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ... (Eph. 4:15).

Jesus spoke the truth about Himself: Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going” (Jno. 8:14). When some men write of themselves it has to be filtered through the sieve of honesty for accuracy, but not the words of Jesus. Nothing that He said about Himself was exaggerated, overstated, misleading or embellished. Can this be said of the things we say about ourselves?

Jesus honestly spoke the truth about sin: And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk. 13:2–3). He spoke with candor about the presence and power of sin. He did not sugarcoat the danger of sin when speaking to sinners (Jno. 8:31-44). He also spoke with compassion of those held in its clutches (Lk. 7:44-50). When the rottenness of sin needed exposing, He did not keep silent (Matt. 23). Can this be said of us speaking the truth about sin?

Jesus honestly spoke the truth about the church: And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). Some congregations in our day do not want to identify themselves as a “church of Christ”, apparently to avoid some assumed prejudice against the church of Christ. However, Jesus did not refuse to speak of His church, even when His life was at stake (Jno. 18:33-37). Can it be said that we speak as honestly about His church as Jesus did?

Jesus honestly spoke the truth about the future: They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you (Jno. 16:2–4). Jesus spoke of death, resurrection and judgment (Jno. 5:28-29). He told His disciples of trials and hardships as well as of joy and the reward of faithfulness (Jno. 13:36-14:3). Can it be said that we honestly speak what the word of God says about the future to others the way Jesus did (Jno. 12:48; Rom. 2:1-11)?

Our words should be accurate, honest, trustworthy. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment (Jas. 5:12). 

You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

1. There is widespread misunderstanding about water baptism.
2. Also true that some think baptism does some things it does not do.

I. WHAT BAPTISM DOES NOT DO.

  A. Baptism does not Change the Heart, Acts 2:38. Repentance, Acts 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9; Matt. 3:2, 6-8; 2 Cor. 7:10.
  B. Baptism does not Remove Temptations, Lk. 3:21 - 4:13; 22:28. Acts 18:8; 1 Co. 10:13.
  C. Baptism does not Remove Sins Committed after Baptism. Acts 22:16; 8:12-13, 18-24; 1 Jno. 1:9; Rom. 6:1-4.
  D. Baptism Does Not Guarantee Eternal Salvation, Jno. 3:3, 5; Rom. 6:3; 2 Cor. 5:17.

II. WHAT BAPTISM DOES. 

  A. Saves the Sinner, Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21.
  B. Remission of Sins, Acts 2:38 (3:19).
  C. Reach Christ’s Death, Rom. 6:3-4.
  D. Washes Away Sins, Ac 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21.
  E. Made Free from Sin, Rom. 6:17-18.
  F. Put On Christ, Gal. 3:27 (Rom. 6:3, 5-11).
  G. Enter the Body of Christ, 1 Cor. 12:13.

III. IF THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN ONE IS BAPTIZED, THEN WHAT IS YOUR CONDITION WITHOUT BAPTISM?

  A. Not yet Saved. You are still lost.
  B. Your Sins Remain. Not yet blotted out.
  C. Christ’s Death has not yet Helped You.
  D. Your Sins have not been Cleansed.
  E. Still in Bondage to Sin.
  F. Have not yet Put On Christ.
  G. Not in Christ’s Body.

Conclusion
1. Do you want to be saved? Mk. 16:15-16
2. Do you want to be lost? Mk. 16:16

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We Cannot but Speak
Joe R. Price

The apostles of Jesus Christ never threatened or killed anyone for their faithlessness. Even when threatened, beaten, imprisoned and make a mockery, the early Christians turned the other cheek instead of retaliating, refusing to presume to take vengeance upon sinners in the name of God (Matt. 5:39; Rom. 12:17-19). We are taught to "overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:20-21). The power of the gospel is applied by words of truth to the hearts of men, not by torture, mayhem, fear and death.

"Islam" means ""to resign", "to submit oneself" or "to surrender". Hence Islam, in its ethico-religious significance, means the "entire surrender of the will to God" (4Islam.com). Ney Reiber notes the Quran "has definite instructions for Muslims to subdue even Christians and Jews, to make them acknowledge the authenticity and superiority of Islam, and to demonstrate that submission and acknowledgement by paying a tax called the Jizya" (The Truth about Jihad, Ney Reiber, IslamUnveiled.info). Here are some Quran citations to this effect:

Surah 9:29 Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and His apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” (Ibid)

9:123 “O you who believe, fight those of the unbelievers near you and let them see how harsh you can be. Know that Allah is with the righteous.” (Fakhry’s translation. Note: This “revelation” was directed against those who were stirring up strife in the community by expressing doubt in Muhammad’s revelations; they needed to be silenced. –James M. Arlandson, Jihad, originally published at americanthinker.com, this article was slightly edited for Answering Islam.)

Radical Islamic terrorists are both exacting this tax (in Syria and Iraq) and murdering the innocent who refuse to "submit". Apparently their God is so weak his followers must terrorize in order to induce submission. 

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  01/12/2015