Tag: apostles

Origen’s “On First Principles” (Book II, Ch. 4.2)

Gary Pollard

[This is a continuing translation of Origen’s systematic theology in modern language]

It would take too long to gather every passage in the Gospels showing that the God of the Law and the God of the Gospel are one and the same. We’ll briefly look at the Acts of the Apostles. There, Stephen and the other apostles prayed to the God who made the sky and earth, who spoke through the prophets, and who is called “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” This was the same God who brought Israel out of Egypt. These compel us to have faith in the Creator and cultivate love for him in anyone who learns to think of him appropriately.

This fits with Jesus’s own teaching. When he was asked which commandment in the Law is greatest, he answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself.” Then he added, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” If he was training someone to become his disciple, why would he compel them to love the God of the Law, unless he recognized that God as the one true God?

But suppose, despite all these clear indications, someone insists that Jesus was speaking about some other, unknown God when he said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” In that case, how could Jesus reasonably say that “the Law and the Prophets” depend on these two commandments? If the Law and the Prophets truly come from the Creator—as even the opponents admit—how could they depend on commandments that come from a different God? What is foreign to him cannot be said to hang on him.

Paul’s own words make this point even more clearly. When he writes, “I thank my God, whom I serve from my ancestors with a pure conscience,” he shows that he did not turn to a new or foreign deity when he came to Christ. Who are Paul’s ancestors, if not those about whom he says, “Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I”? The opening of Romans makes the same point for anyone who understands Paul’s language. He begins with, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was born from the seed of David according to the flesh and appointed Son of God in power by his resurrection…” This proves that the God Paul preached is the same God who spoke long ago through the prophets and promised the coming of Christ.

Paul also interprets the Law in ways that reveal its divine purpose for the church. When he quoted the command, “Do not muzzle the ox that is treading out the grain,” he asked, “Does God care about the ox, or was this written for our sake?” And he answered, “It was written to to benefit us,” meaning that the God who gave the Law gave it for the benefit of the apostles who preach the gospel. Elsewhere Paul embraces the promises attached to the Law, saying, “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise: that it may go well with you, and that you may live long on the land the Lord your God gives you.” By this he clearly showed that the Law, its God, and the promises attached to it are good in his sight.

Almost Too Good To Be True!

How often we hear that the gospel, defined, is “good news.” It is God’s good news, meant to be shared. That’s exactly what the women and the two disciples are doing with the larger group of disciples when Jesus makes His final appearance before returning to heaven. But there are a few things He wants to impress upon them before He goes

Neal Pollard

How often we hear that the gospel, defined, is “good news.” It is God’s good news, meant to be shared. That’s exactly what the women and the two disciples are doing with the larger group of disciples when Jesus makes His final appearance before returning to heaven. But there are a few things He wants to impress upon them before He goes. Notice how the book of Luke ends (24:36-53).

There is a reminder of His identity (36-43). The predominant reminder in this last appearance is of His humanity, the identity He took on to save us from our sins. He shows them His hands and feet (40) and then eats a meal before them (41-43). He will appeal to His Deity in His final instructions, referencing His Father in heaven (49), but He did not want them to forget the brotherhood He shared with them all. How often do I benefit by remembering, as I go about as His disciple, that Jesus fully understands what I am going through? Read Hebrews 2:9-18, for example. He was for a little while made lower than the angels in order taste death for everyone (9). He was perfected in His work as our great High Priest by suffering as a human (10). He is not ashamed to call us “brethren” (11). He partook of sharing our nature, flesh and blood (14). He had to be made like His brethren in all things to become a merciful and faithful High Priest (17). He was tempted in His suffering, which helps Him come to our aid as we suffer (18). There are a multitude of additional passages reinforcing and supplementing our understanding and appreciation of Christ’s humanity, but the resurrected Jesus wants them to remember His humanity after He ascends to heaven. 

There is a reminder of His history (44-48). It is a mind-boggling truth that Jesus’ history goes back to His preexistence, before He became human. The facet of history of highest interest to Him is sacred history. So, He opened their minds to understand the Scripture (45). He appealed to the three major divisions of the Hebrew Old Testament, the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms (44). We might call them the books of history, prophecy, and poetry. They are saturated with the themes He elaborates upon in verses 46-47, His suffering, His resurrection, and His plan of salvation. By looking to God’s past revelation, they would be equipped for their present mission and fortified for their future reward. So it is for us today. The verification of Scripture, fulfilled prophecy, 

There is a reminder of His destiny (49-53). It included ascending to heaven to carry out the promise of His Father upon them, to be His witnesses, “clothed with power from on high” (49). Luke gives us fuller details of what happens in this discussion in Acts 1:4-8, and it includes His marching orders and an elaboration of what we read Him telling them about being His witnesses starting in Jerusalem (46-47). His immediate destination is heaven (50), and theirs is Jerusalem (52-53). They went there with great joy and, once there, “were continually in the temple praising God” (53). They were mentally preparing for their earth-shattering, world-changing mission. Heartache was overwhelmed by hope. Disappointment was conquered by determination. They were about to turn the world upside down, an intention they made good on from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the world (Acts 1:8; 17:6). Lest we forget, their role in His destiny is the same as ours. We are standing on their shoulders, carrying on their mission today. Jesus needs us to help fulfill His destiny in our world just as He needed them. They rose up and met the challenge! What about us?

The Unchanging Word: Prioritizing Scripture Over Human Tradition

In a bold challenge to the Pharisees, Jesus referenced the words of Isaiah, exposing their critical error: elevating human traditions above the divine commandments of God. Their worship, rooted in human traditions, lacked authenticity, revealing a profound reality: the authority of God’s Word remains unparalleled, and no human custom can replace it.

Brent Pollard

Matthew 15:8-9: “‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”

Mark 7:6-7: “He said to them, ‘Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”

Comedian Isaak Wells’ humorous Skeletor meme, “Traditions are basically just dead people peer pressuring you,” encompasses a profound truth that aligns with a solemn admonition from Jesus. In a bold challenge to the Pharisees, Jesus referenced the words of Isaiah, exposing their critical error: elevating human traditions above the divine commandments of God. Their worship, rooted in human traditions, lacked authenticity, revealing a profound reality: the authority of God’s Word remains unparalleled, and no human custom can replace it.

The Divine Standard: Scripture’s Authority

True scholarship recognizes Scripture as God’s divinely inspired and infallible Word, as affirmed in 2 Timothy 3.16-17. The error of the Pharisees lay in their acceptance of human traditions that obscured the clarity of God’s commands. Matthew Henry observes, “When men’s inventions are tacked to God’s institutions and imposed with equal authority, then worship becomes vain.” Jesus confronted them, asking, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15.3). This statement affirms the authority of Scripture above all human traditions, calling believers to proclaim what the Bible declares and to hold their tongues where it is silent.

The Heart of True Worship

The rebuke of Jesus reveals the very heart of worship. The Pharisees’ hearts were distant from God, making their worship empty despite appearing pious. Genuine worship captivates the heart (John 4.23-24). Following tradition without discernment places habit above heartfelt devotion, whether in our rituals or church practices. Believers must scrutinize their intentions, ensuring their worship springs from hearts wholly devoted to God.

Discerning Godly Practice

Scripture guides discernment between traditions that honor God and those that mislead:

  • Apostolic Example: The early church embraced traditions like weekly communion (Acts 20.7), congregational singing (Ephesians 5.19; Colossians 3.16), and regular assembly (Hebrews 10.25). Paul praised the Corinthians for maintaining apostolic traditions (1 Corinthians 11.2) but corrected deviations.
  • Berean Standard: The Bereans tested teachings against Scripture daily (Acts 17.11), modeling intellectual integrity and spiritual humility.

Scriptural principles for evaluating traditions include:

  • Biblical Warrant: Does the practice have clear scriptural support via commands, examples, or necessary inferences? (Psalm 119.105)
  • Genuine Worship: Does it draw hearts closer to God in spirit and truth? (John 4.23-24; 1 Peter 2.5)
  • Edification: Does it build the church and promote unity? (1 Corinthians 14.26)
  • Apostolic Alignment: Does it reflect New Testament patterns? (Ephesians 2.20)

Practical Application

Apply discernment in:

  • Worship: Do practices align with biblical patterns of praise, prayer, communion, and proclamation, conducted “decently and in order”? (1 Corinthians 14.40)
  • Church Organization: Does leadership follow biblical qualifications for elders and deacons? (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1)
  • Personal Devotion: Are spiritual disciplines grounded in Scripture, not an empty routine?
  • Christian Living: Do moral standards reflect God’s Word, not cultural or family traditions that contradict it?

The Call to Heart-Deep Faithfulness

Jesus’ rebuke serves as a profound warning and a gracious invitation. Worship that does not arise from deep and sincere devotion lacks true significance. The Lord desires those who worship Him sincerely and authentically, offering lives fully committed to His glory. Reflect on how traditions shape and influence your faith journey. Examine them in light of the Word. If you find yourself aligned, recommit with heartfelt devotion; if not, earnestly seek biblically grounded alternatives through prayer.

Upholding Scripture’s Supremacy

Genuine faith submits every action to the authority of Scripture. When the Word of God declares, we must respond obediently, even when it starkly contrasts our traditions. In the areas where Scripture is silent, let us generously extend love and freedom, refraining from imposing our convictions upon others. This dedication profoundly influences our communion with God. To love Him with all our hearts is to fully embrace His Word, refusing to distort it to conform to the world’s ways.

Embrace Scripture with open hearts, just as the Bereans did, diligently testing everything by its truth. May our worship flow from fully devoted hearts, our practices be rooted in the truth of Scripture, and our loyalty is unwavering to God alone.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NASB® (New American Standard Bible®, 1995 Updated Edition). Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Emulating The Early Church

Carl Pollard

There is no greater achievement than to embody the believers we read about in Acts 4. How did they act, and what did they do? While they were not perfect, they were shaped under the guidance and leadership of inspired apostles. What we need today is to become the church of the past in the present.

If people truly understood the Church, no one would ever leave it. Many today express valid concerns about those who have departed and continue to leave. It appears there is a significant lack of appreciation for the Lord’s church. I believe this stems from misunderstanding. If people grasped what the Lord’s church represents and recognized God’s work within it, we would cultivate a much deeper love for the church.

The longer I spend among the body of Christ, the more I recognize the church as essential to my life. As you know, the church isn’t merely a building or an institution; it is the living, breathing body of Christ, designed by God to fulfill His eternal purpose. Unfortunately, many misunderstand or undervalue the church’s role.

The church was not conceived in the mind of man; it is God’s spiritual body, composed of those who have obeyed the gospel of Jesus. Christ reigns as the head of that body. 1 Peter 2 describes the church as a temple, a nation, and a royal priesthood—this is the Lord’s Church.

One term used to describe the church signifies the universal body of believers. From the beginning, the church has been part of God’s grand design. It is not a human invention but a divine institution established by Christ Himself. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus states, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Here, we learn from the Son of God that the church is a divine creation, birthed from Christ’s authority and sacrifice.

The family we join through baptism originated in the mind of God. We need the one true church—not a cheap imitation. This family began with God’s vision, was fulfilled by the sacrifice of His Son, and was established in Acts 2 through Peter’s preaching. We need THAT church!

This family consists of all kinds of people; it is a melting pot, as God designed it to be. Within the church, Satan attempts to isolate and polarize individuals based on these differences. Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:28 that, in the one true church, distinctions such as male or female, slave or free, Jew or Gentile do not matter. We are all ONE in Christ. What some may view as a weakness is, in fact, our strength—if we can embrace it.

Acts 4:32 states, “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” They were unified in purpose, prayer, and perseverance. They shared the same goals, prayed for the same needs, and faced challenges together.

When confronted with threats and opposition, the early church responded with fervent prayer, coming together to seek God’s strength and guidance. They prayed for resilience in their faith—an essential prayer for us all to share TOGETHER. The early church exemplified unity, and our goal as a body of believers today should be to cultivate that same unity now and in the future.

Handling Our Sins As Christians

Neal Pollard

The Bible makes it very clear that every one sins (Rom. 3:10, 23). The Apostle John was a very righteous man. When all the other apostles ran away as Jesus was arrested and put through so much agony, John went with Jesus all the way to the cross (Jn. 19:25-27). He was called “the disciple whom He loved” (Jn. 13:23). But, this great apostle said, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us”  (1 Jn. 1:8). The apostle Paul confessed to the fact that he struggled with sin, despite the fact that we recognize him as a faithful, fruitful Christian (Rom. 7:14-25).

 The question is, “Do I need to be baptized every time I sin?” The Bible makes it very clear that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. From the first time Jesus was preached to people, they asked what they should do. They were told to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). The last New Testament scripture to deal with the sub- ject of baptism says, “Baptism saves you” (1 Pet. 3:21). There is no doubt but that God requires a person to be baptized in order to be saved.

However, once one is baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27), he or she does not cease from sinning. That would be nice, but it is impossible (cf. Rom. 3:23).  We still struggle with temptation, weakness, and desires of the flesh. Yet, nowhere do we read in the New Testament of a command, example, or implied statement concerning being baptized to cover each sin one commits as a Christian. That is significant. We follow the New Testament as the pattern for our conduct, worship, and teaching on all matters.

So, what does a person do as a Christian when he or she sins? Let us return our focus to 1 John one. There, John writes, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (6-10). First, notice that one can claim to have fellowship with God but will disprove that claim by walking in sin. One cannot walk in darkness and have their sins covered.

Second, notice that fellowship with God is maintained by walking faithfully in Christ. The blood that forgives our sins in baptism continues to cleanse us as our walk is righteous. However, “walking in the Light” is not the same as sinless perfection. What John says in the next three verses proves this.  We are actually sinful to claim sinless perfection (8,10).

Third, notice what one does to maintain fellowship with God while coping with and trying to overcome sin. In verse 9, John speaks of an honest awareness of the presence of sin in our lives that leads us to confess our sins. Some deny, defend, or excuse their sins, but that makes one like those John warns about in verses 8 and 10. Instead, a humble, penitent heart that is quick to see and acknowledge the presence of sin in his or her life is one who will enjoy cleansing from a God faithful and just to forgive such sinners. How does a Christian handle personal sin? Do not make it a matter of lifestyle (7), but when sin does occur be ready to confess it (9).

 One other element implied by John and explicitly stated by Peter is the idea of repentance. In Acts 8, a man named Simon committed sin. Peter rebuked him for the sin, saying, “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you” (22). Repentance and prayer are necessary acts for a Christian who sins. Paul praises the Corinthians for following the same pattern to handle their sins as Christians (see 2 Cor. 7:10-11).

It would be wonderful if we did not sin as Christians, but such is just not possible. Thus, when we do sin, we need to have an awareness of it, a heart that is sorry about it, and a determination to overcome it, repenting of it, confessing it, and praying about it.

The Last Public Prayer of Jesus

Carl Pollard

Spending time focused on the family is a necessity. God has given parents a responsibility that should never be taken lightly. There are many opportunities in the church that we can take advantage of to create unified families– youth rallies, potlucks, family retreats, and so much more! Spending time together as a unified body, made up of many individual families, is a unique blessing only found in the church. When we choose to bring our families together and worship, eat food, and enjoy fellowship in Christ we imitate the early church.

In Acts 2, the church has just been established, and they eat together, sing together, learn together, pray together, and loved to spend time with each other. A close family In Christ spends time together. Worshipping together is a unifying process, but time spent together outside of the worship setting contributes to growth in our relationships with each other. 

Shared history makes for a closer bond. Creating memories with our spiritual family builds unity. 

That should be our goal today, tomorrow, and for our entire time on this earth. What does the Bible say about the fellowship we have together as a family? 

We are given all kinds of descriptive names in the Bible. 

The early church was called: 

  • Those of the Way
  • The Called out
  • Christians

All of these names paint for us a special picture. Those in Christ are FAMILY. We are unified with each other by a bond stronger than any force on earth. June 4th, 1940 Winston Churchill gave a powerful speech that changed the tone of the Second World War. In his speech he said, “we shall fight on the beaches,
 we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills.” 

Sadly, in today’s society this sounds like a description of most people’s family vacation…uh ha haaa. 

When there is a lack of unity in our physical families, there will be a lack of unity in the spiritual family. For us to understand the importance of the fellowship we have in Christ, we need to define some terms. The Greek word translated “fellowship” in Acts 2:42 is koinonia. This is defined as “Close association involving mutual interests.” Basically, it is a group of people who have a tight bond because they all have the same interests.

Christian fellowship, then, is the mutually beneficial relationship between Christians, who can’t have the identical relationship with those outside the faith. We are, or should be, closer to each other than anyone in the world. This is a FAMILY. God expects us to have mutual interests, (His Will) and to spend time together building a mutually beneficial relationship. 

So, what is Christian Fellowship? The context for the “high priestly prayer” in John 17 actually begins back in chapter 13. This is the last supper. Jesus washes the disciples feet, He tells the apostles one of them will betray Him, Satan enters into Judas, Jesus tells His followers to love each other, Simon is told he will deny Christ, Jesus tells us He is the Way, the truth and the life, Jesus promises the Spirit to the apostles, He tells them that He is the true vine, that they will be hated by the world, BUT, He has overcome the world. 

After He says all of this, “Jesus lifts His eyes up to heaven and begins to pray” (John 17:1). This prayer is powerful, it’s humbling, it’s personal. Jesus truly cared for His disciples, and He cares for us today. This was the last prayer the apostles would hear before His death. Immediately after He finished they went to the garden and Jesus was arrested. So the question is, what does Jesus pray for just moments before His crucifixion? UNITY! Jesus was concerned about His apostles, He wanted them to be one, and He prayed for every Christian to be one! The bond we have through Christ is so precious, we should never neglect the family Christ died to create. 

In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays specifically for those who will believe the apostles’ teachings, that is, US. 

Why should we be so concerned about our unity? Because Christ died to create what we have today. And we can show the world the Father by creating lasting relationships with each other. 

Fearless

Dale Pollard

It began with just a few men. They didn’t know exactly what kind of damage they were about to inflict on their own reputation— for all eternity. There’s an intense account found in Acts 15 where we’re introduced to  “some men” and they’re on their way from Judea. They begin to teach,

 “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

 Paul and Barnabas rise to the challenge and they debate them fearlessly, but the damage had already been done. The argument had  not only confused them but it stirred up the entire group to the point that it was decided to take matters to the very top. Off they went to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 

HERE’S WHAT WENT DOWN

Paul and Barnabas hadn’t lost faith and in fact, they proclaimed what God had done for the Gentiles to all who would listen on their trip. The news of God’s grace to all races and nations brought them great joy. In Jerusalem the apostles and elders had gathered to deal with the conflict. It didn’t take long for the group to separate into two teams with two different beliefs about God’s will for us all. It was at this moment where Peter stands up and begins to speak. He explains that God knows the heart of all of us. He’s always known this! 

HERE’S HOW IT HAPPENED 

The Spirit had descended on the apostles to prove that there is no discrimination between Jews and Gentiles. The demand for proof is always in our hearts, and so the Spirit demonstrated miraculous powers to give credence. Peter would explain that under the Jewish law, even Moses and the greats couldn’t bear the load. It wasn’t sustainable, and it wasn’t meant to last. 

It’s verse twelve that gives one some additional insight. It says,

 “And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done though them among the Gentiles.” 

HERE’S THE POINT

How do we solve our conflicting views that spring up in our midst? There’s only one effective way to do so and that’s to take our matters of division to the top. Not preachers, teachers, deacons, or elders, but to the very top. But if God is going to speak, we’ve got to be quiet. The assembly went silent. Everyone there, no matter what their belief decided to listen. Speaking over each other never solved a problem and this is true on a congregational level, and a personal one.

HERE’S A QUESTION 

 How many times do we fall victim to the bias assembly of thoughts in our own minds when reading God’s word? It can be difficult to hush those voices, but it’s when we do that real, positive change finally has a chance to take root. 

The Spirit Of Deception

Carl Pollard

In 1 John 4, we read from John some warnings concerning spirits. He says in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” John tells us that not every spirit is from God. He goes on to say in verse 6, “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” 

These verses clearly teach us that there is the Spirit from God, and then there are spirits in the form of false prophets. These false prophets are from the world. The teachings of the apostles were and continue to be the standard for the church. John 13:20 says, “‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.’ The one whom Jesus sends is His apostle. God sends Christ and Christ sends the apostles. Therefore, If you accept the apostles you accept Christ, and if you accept Christ then you accept God. We wouldn’t even know of Christ if it were not for the apostles. They were to distinguish these spirits by seeing if those speaking were speaking things that were of the apostles and God, or of the world (1 John 4:5). 1 John 2:25 says that these people were teaching things that were contrary to John’s teachings.

So what does all of this mean? Who is the Spirit of Deception? We can piece together through 1 John, that the Spirit of Deception is that which teaches against John. By doing so, the spirit of deception has gone against the Spirit of Truth. 

The Spirit of Deception can be described as someone/something that does not teach that which is in accordance to the apostles or God, it is that which does not obey the commands of Christ, and it is that which tries to mislead Christians. The Spirit of Truth is contradicted by the Spirit of Deception. We see in the early church that one of the gifts of the Spirit was discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10). 

The Holy Spirit (Helper) was given to the apostles to help them remember what Jesus had taught them, to preach about Christ, to tell the world of its sin, to preach righteousness and judgment, and to bring glory to Christ (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7- 8,13-14). Demonic spirits spoke through false prophets to confuse and convert God’s people (1 Timothy 4:1ff). This spirit of deception was the reason for John’s writing. He says he is wrote, “concerning those who are deceiving you,” (2:26). He also said, “Children, let no one deceive you,” (3:7). The Christians John wrote to needed to learn how to distinguish these Spirits.

Sadly, we are still in the same circumstances today. People are still advocates of the devil. We find false teaching everywhere and it is up to us to test and discern between  what is from God and what is from the world. May we always be vigilant and wary of the teachings that comes from the mouth of Satan! 

What’s Next?

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

Jesus came back to life after he died. In his new body, he spent time with his apostles and ate with them (Acts 10.41). Clearly this resurrection body was a real, physical body (though different in ways we don’t yet understand, cf I Cor 15.44). God the father used his power to bring Jesus back to life (Acts 2.32), and will do the same for us after we die. 

The bible gives us some pretty clear information about where we’ll be going after we die, and it’s amazing. We have life now, and we don’t seriously question its reality. Death is just a blip from our perspective (cf I Cor 15.52). We’ll have life then, and it’ll be just as real. So where are we going? Our citizenship is in “the heavens” (Phil 3.20). For some reason, most translations have it singular — “in heaven,” even though this is dative plural in Greek. Jesus is going to come back from the heavens too (3.20). The plural form of ουρανος (“heavens”) is also found in Col 1.5, 16, 4.1; II Cor 5.1; Eph 1.10, 3.15, 4.10, 6.9; I Thess 1.10, Hb 1.10, 4.14, 8.1, 9.23, 10.34, 12.23, 25; I Pt 1.4, II Pt 3.5, and many other passages. It can mean “skies”, but in many contexts it means “space”. This makes perfect sense in light of II Pt 3.13 and Rev 21.1-2 (cf Is 65.17; use of παλιγγενεσια in Mt 19.28). 

After our death, we’ll be given a body and source of life that cannot be killed (I Cor 15.42-49; I Pt 1.3-7). This applies to good people and bad people. The difference for good people is that we’ll get to leave Earth with Jesus, while everyone else will suffer forever. We want to avoid everyone else’s fate, so we do our best to follow God as he gives us constant forgiveness. 

Gary Pollard

“Do As I Say, Not As I Do” 

Thursday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

Carl Pollard

At the 1993 annual meeting of The American Heart Association, 300,000 doctors, nurses, and researchers met in Atlanta to discuss, among other things, the importance a low fat diet plays in keeping our hearts healthy. Yet during meal times, they consumed fat-filled fast foods such as bacon cheeseburgers and fries at about the same rate as people from other conventions. When one cardiologist was asked whether or not his partaking in high fat meals set a bad example, he replied, “Not me, because I took my name tag off.”

Seeing hypocrisy in the church has caused many people to fall away. Sadly there are some who claim to be Christians, and it’s in name only. These people often give the church a bad reputation. Many in the world look at the church and say that it runs rampant with hypocritical people. 

Being a Christian means following Christ all the time. No natter the circumstances. We can’t just “take our name tag off” so to speak. People are always watching. They’re looking to us on how to act. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 reads, “For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” 

Paul and the other apostles showed the Christians at Thessalonica, by example, how to act. Notice what Paul says: “For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship.” The Thessalonians could look back and remember the example that the Apostles gave for them to follow. Are we like this? Or are we all talk? People will follow the examples that our actions portray. 

The example that our actions set are powerful. 

So the question is, “what kind of example are we setting?” We can have only two types of example–good or bad. Our example, whether good or bad, can decide the eternal fate of those that see our actions. Paul and the apostles set a great example for the church at Thessalonica. 

Paul writes in Philippians 4:9, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” We see from this how Paul’s example was so good that he tells the Philippians to practice it and God would be with them. Are we confident enough to say this to another Christian? We must be careful that we show by the way we live that we truly believe what we preach to others. 

A Quiet Assembly

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Dale Pollard

It began with just a few men. They didn’t know exactly what kind of damage they were about to inflict on their own reputation, for all of eternity. The account is found in Acts 15 with “some men”  going down from Judea and teaching, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas debated them fearlessly, but the damage had been done. The argument had so successfully confused and stirred up the assembled group that it was decided to take matters up the command chain. They were off to meet with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 

Paul and Barnabas hadn’t lost faith and in fact, they proclaimed what God had done for the Gentiles to all who would listen on their trip. The news of God’s grace to all races and nations brought the listeners a great joy. In Jerusalem, the apostles and elders had already gathered to deal with the fierce conflict. It didn’t take long for the group to separate into two teams each holding two different beliefs about God’s will for all. It was at this moment where Peter stands up and begins to speak. He explains that God knows the heart of all of us and He’s always known. 

The spirit had descended on the apostles to prove that there is no discrimination between Jews and Gentiles. The demand for proof is always in our hearts, and so the Spirit demonstrated miraculous powers to give credence. Peter would explain that under the Jewish law, even Moses and the greats couldn’t bear the load. It wasn’t sustainable, and it wasn’t meant to last. 

It’s verse twelve that gives one some additional insight. It says, “And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done though them among the Gentiles.” How do we solve our conflicting views that spring up in our midst? There’s only one effective way to do so and that’s to take our matters of division to the top. Not preachers, teachers, deacons, or elders, but to the very top.

If God is going to speak, we’ve got to be quiet. The assembly went silent. Everyone there, no matter what their belief was—decided to listen. Speaking over each other never solved a problem and this is true on a congregational level, as well as a personal one. How many times do we fall victim to the assembly of the thoughts and bias in our own minds when reading God’s word? It can be difficult to hush those voices, but it’s when we do that real change has a chance to take root. 

What It Takes To Follow Jesus

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

Luke moves from a sample of Jesus’ teaching and work in the synagogues to His teaching and work among the common people in Luke 5:1-11. For the first time, in Luke five, we see individuals responding to His teaching by following Him. Though Luke only identifies one of the men at this point, the three other gospel writers mention that Simon Peter’s brother, Andrew, was also in that number. Matthew and Mark tell us that the men in the other boat were James and John. These four fishermen would soon “be catching men” (10). Luke seems to focus his attention on the reaction these men had to Jesus, His teaching, and the impact the miracle with the fish had on them. Their reaction to Jesus mirrors the reaction we need to have when called by His Word to follow Him.

DISCIPLESHIP REQUIRES EXPOSURE TO JESUS’ WORD (1-4).

Luke shows us Jesus teaching in close proximity to the fishermen, but gives no clear indication of how much or if they are listening to Him. He does show how compelling Jesus’ teaching is and how the people were listening (1). John tells us, though, that Andrew had already been listening to Jesus and was trying to persuade Simon to follow Him (1:40-42). Paul’s teaching that faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17) will be apparent in the lives of these followers, as Luke will demonstrate in this gospel and the book of Acts. We cannot follow one whose ideas, instruction, and incentives we do not know or believe. 

DISCIPLESHIP REQUIRES UNCONDITIONAL SUBMISSION (5-7).

This is not a one-time act. Submission is a process that must be practiced continually. But, no one can choose to follow who does not surrender his or her own will to Christ’s (cf. 9:23-26). Jesus, the carpenter, tells these fishermen how to fish. Despite their all-night total failure at their craft, they trust Jesus’ word. Simon says, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets” (5). Success followed submission, something they would see in greater, more important ways as they continued to follow Him. Jesus asks us to do difficult and perplexing things. Our task is not to question, but simply to surrender. 

DISCIPLESHIP REQUIRES A HUMILITY TO SEE OUR SINFUL SELVES (8).

Simon will show traits which prove him to be a work in progress, from impetuousness to inconsistency. Yet, Jesus could see his heart and the inspired Luke sheds light on it, too. When Peter sees the power of His Lord, he says, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (8). All of us will disappoint Jesus in our walk with Him, but He loves a heart that harbors no stubborn pride. This is the man Jesus will choose as a leader and spokesman, one who does not try to project perfection and superiority. So it is today (1 Pet. 5:5-6). 

DISCIPLESHIP REQUIRES PROPERLY CHANNELING EMOTION (9-10).

Exposure to Jesus left these fishermen “seized” (enclosed, completely taken hold of) with “amazement” (9). It made them “fear” (10). Others felt emotion like this who were exposed to Jesus’ power and preaching, and they audaciously reject Him (4:22-30; 8:26-39). These four men, amazed and afraid, will be prompted by this to make the life-changing (and life-giving) choice to follow Him. I have seen people in Bible studies and in their pew who realize the truth of the gospel, showing (and even telling of) remorse, dread, and anxiety over their lostness, but who just cannot make the decision to deny self and follow Jesus. I cannot think of a greater tragedy. In my own life, it is not simply enough to feel sorrow over my sin. I must allow this to move me to obedience (2 Cor. 7:9-11). 

DISCIPLESHIP REQUIRES RADICAL CHANGE (11).

Luke will record several positive examples of people whose encounter with Jesus is transformational! Think the sinful woman (7:36-50), the demoniac (8:26-39), the grateful leper (17:11-21), and Zaccheus (19:1-10). Some, though, were just not willing (18:18-27). Luke records multiple occasions where Jesus warns that discipleship requires radical change (cf. 9:57-62). Other writers will contrast it as putting off the old man and putting on the new man (Eph. 4:22-32; Col. 3:5-17; Heb. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:1ff). Here, Luke simply relates how that they immediately left everything and followed Him. While that may not be a literal necessity today, we cannot hope to have eternal life while holding onto this life so much that we are not following His will. 

These men were about to see things they could not have imagined, experience highs and lows they did not know existed, and be given opportunities they could not have anticipated. It wasn’t going to be an easy life; in fact, it would demand everything they had. But it gave them something only Jesus could give them. This hasn’t changed. If we want what they received, we must do what they did! 

The Coolest Intro

Wednesday Column: Third’s Words

gary and chelsea

Gary Pollard

One of the most concise and beautiful teachings about God is in John. He plainly states some awesome things, full of impact and depth.

“The Word existed in the beginning…” This, along with other statements made in this context, highlights how tragic it is that the world systemically rejects him. There was only a “beginning” because of him.

“…the Word existed with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God, who created everything through Him. Nothing that exists was created without Him.” God took a demotion to save us (Heb. 2.9). The same one who used the Father’s power to fabricate reality.

“Life came from Him…” Humans only had the power to take life away from the source of life because He let them.

“…and this life was humanity’s light.” His selflessness gave us hope for a better existence.

“This light shined through the darkness, and darkness can’t smother it.” Evil is on borrowed time and it knows it. Jesus put a countdown on the existence of evil. When its time runs out, it’ll never bother His people again (II Pet. 3.13; Rev. 20.12-15).

We deal with real problems thanks to darkness. What Jesus did wasn’t just a nice gesture. He destroyed the very possibility of darkness, creating a reality in which His own – made eternally perfect through His sacrifice – can never mess things up again. I want to live in that kind of reality with that kind of God.

We’re Different & The Same 

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

 

 

Dale Pollard

When it comes to the families that make up the church, what ties us together is a common bright future. While every family has its differences, one constant remains— the church. All strive to follow those guidelines laid out in scripture. Paul says in Philippians 1:6, “And I’m SURE of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” 

The writer speaks with assurance, and that confidence is well-placed. From “His-story” we see that God always completes His projects. He never dreams; He creates. He decided to create the world and here it is. He decided to save the world, and here we are. 

Paul also would write in Romans 7-8 that the flesh tends to get in the way of the spiritual. God is perfect, but we’re not. That’s what makes us a work in progress. Aren’t we thankful that God provides the solutions to “fix” us up? 

We’re involved in a great work because there simply is no better work  than what is being done by His church. That being said, many of us struggle with overcomplicating things. We try to make sense of our individual lives, and when we leave God out it all becomes a discouraging battle. Where’s the peace? Joy? Confidence? Maybe it was left behind when we left God’s path. Thankfully God came down to earth years ago to teach us everything we need to know. We see that in His interactions with people. Even His twelve original followers were an odd group. 

Each had a diverse background. Some were Fishermen and some tax collectors. 

Each one had a unique personality too! They ranged from timid to assertive.

 Each one had spiritual battles from greed to crippling doubt.  

Yet each one rallied under His leadership and were united through a common hope. 

What’s changed? Not much. 

The personalities, talents, backgrounds, and flaws mixed together create a unique blend that make up each one of us. Yet, here we are rallied under His leadership, united in common hope. 

Several Lehman ladies (men are at the table in the foreground) enjoying “Federal Grove” the night before it (sadly) closed, being regaled with one of Kathy’s stories. I think this one was about snakes crawling out of a hole.

But Grow In Grace And Knowledge…

GUEST WRITER: Charlie Smith

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“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18

Peter writes this letter knowing that he’s going to die soon (2 Peter 1:14), and he wants the church to remember his teachings after he’s gone (1:15). This illustrates how deeply invested Peter was in the church’s success:

  • He had been on the ground floor of Jesus’s ministry, literally walking off the job site, leaving everything behind, to become a fisher of men
  • He had seen the crucifixion, the empty tomb, and the pierced side of his resurrected savior
  • He had helped the church grow from 120 to untold thousands covering the entire known world in one generation

And now Peter realizes that he’s soon going to be gone and the church will not have the direct guidance of the apostles but instead will need their indirect guidance through the New Testament writings. What are the last words of this apostle, his final thoughts for the church that he loved so dearly, which continue to echo down to us today as the spiritual successors of those first-century Christians?

Always keep growing!

First, he asks us to grow in the grace of Christ. When we obey the gospel, our sins are completely forgiven; God forgets them; we are “saved to the uttermost,” according to Hebrews 7:25, and when we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins (1 John 1:7). So how can we grow in something that is complete?

I think a key is found in 2 Cor. 12:7-9. Paul has been given this thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment him, and he prays three times that the Lord will take it away. But God tells Paul that His grace is sufficient. It was enough that Paul was a Christian; Paul did not need any particular problem taken away; God’s grace sufficed.

Likewise, no matter what we face in this life, it really doesn’t matter if we’re a Christian.  God’s grace is enough. It takes effort and maturity, though, to gain this perspective. We need to keep growing in the grace of Christ!

Second, Peter asks us to grow in the knowledge of Christ. This is an easier interpretation: We must go to The Book! In my experience, and from what I’ve observed in others, those who grow as Christians are those who study the Bible on their own, digging in to see for themselves what God says. The preacher who baptized me told me one time that, in addition to his other study, he read a chapter a day from Proverbs and the gospels because he wanted to remain connected to the wisdom of God and the heart of Jesus; this is the attitude of someone who, know matter how much they know about the Bible, is still striving to grow in the knowledge of Christ.

May we all have this desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We’ve been blessed to have the Smiths at Lehman since last August. Charlie begins work as an economics professor at Freed-Hardeman next month. We’re so sad for us, but very happy for them. What a wonderful family!

WRONG QUESTION: “WHO’S THE GREATEST?”

Neal Pollard

It was the late ’70s and I was spending the night with my best friends, Patrick and Jody Smith.  We had just finished watching The Bionic Man on TV, and there was a special on Muhammad Ali.  I can still remember his banter with Howard Cosell and the gifted boxer looking at the camera and saying, “I-am-the-greatest!”

“Who is the greatest?” is a burning question in men’s minds.  We want to know who’s the greatest.  Whatever the profession, endeavor, or skill, there are folks vying for the top spot.  People once immortalized for feats and accomplishments, like Tom Courtney, Neil Armstrong, George Washington, Clara Barton, Florence Nightingale, or Muhammad Ali, fuel future competitors to meet and exceed their successes.

The disciples wanted Jesus to tell them, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matt. 18:1).  On a journey to Capernaum, they argued among themselves about who was the greatest (Mk. 9:34).  Here were twelve men who were selected by Christ to have a part in the greatest work on earth.  That was honor and purpose enough, but they wanted more.  If that was good, being the best of the best was better.  Such thinking was way off base, which Jesus repeatedly demonstrated through His humility, sacrifice, and service for the good of others.

Today, we wrestle with the same affliction.  Whether in our daily lives or even within our function in the church, we can get caught up in being recognized as the best.  This is a destructive exercise and misses the point.  If we are Christians, we are among God’s chosen on this earth.  What a privilege!  We have the highest, most important business to do.  Let us do our best and work our hardest, but let us never get caught in the trap of showing others that we are the best.  The very attempts disqualify us.