BIBLE, CHRISTIAN LIVING

SECOND ONLY TO THE BIBLE — BOB PRICHARD

It was required reading in Jr. High School. I can still remember trying to slog through it, and not appreciating it at the time. It is the story of a fifty-year-old man setting off on a quest to do great deeds and right all wrongs. Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes was quite innovative when first published (part one in 1605, and part two in 1615). The exploits of this man of La Mancha have inspired many, whether he is a tragic hero, a non-conformist, or simply a buffoon. According to The Intellectual Devotional (2006), “of all the books published throughout history, Don Quixote is second only to the Bible in terms of total number of copies printed.”

With time, I have come to have more appreciation for Don Quixote—appreciation that I lacked when I was in Jr. High. With maturity, I have learned to appreciate many things that I saw little reason for at 13.

Consider the accolade for Don Quixote, “second only to the Bible in terms of number of copies printed.” Have you noticed how often comparisons are made to the Bible? With all of the great and not so great books published every year, the Bible is the perennial best-seller. Perhaps it does not generate the same media frenzy as a new Harry Potter book, but the Bible continues to outsell every other book.

We know why this is so. It is because there is no other book like the Bible. Although other books make similar claims, it is the only book that is truly inspired—“God breathed.” No other book can offer what it offers.

We should join with the psalmist in praising the Bible, which is second to no other book. “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: For all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction” (Psalm 119:89–92).

BIBLE, CHRISTIAN LIVING

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED — BOB PRICHARD

Robert Frost’s 1916 poem, “The Road Not Taken,” is one of the most often quoted poems of all time. The poet speaks of two roads, each “just as fair,” but the traveler chose one, concluding “I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Frost indicated that most have misunderstood the poem. The choice was actually random—the traveler didn’t know which was best. The difference wasn’t from a wise choice, but a random choice.

In life, we often have to choose between two roads that seem equally good or bad. We don’t know which road is better, because we cannot see the end of the road with either choice. We just have to choose. But what we must always remember is that when we choose the beginning of the road, we also choose the end of the road. That is why it is so important that we  not only choose the right road in life, but that we periodically evaluate the road we are now on, to see if we should change roads.

Saul of Tarsus was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians. He entered the city as a blind man, and exited as a follower of the Christ he persecuted. The Lord told Ananias, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16). As Ananias taught him, Saul counted the cost (Luke 14:28) of starting on the road of service to Jesus Christ, and immediately obeyed when Ananias commanded him to be baptized (Acts 22:16).

Jesus warned that there are two ways—the broad way of the world and the narrow way of following Him. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). The narrow way is definitely “the road less traveled.” But it makes all the difference—not only in this life, but in the world to come. Are you on the right road today? Is it time for a change?

BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHRISTIAN LIVING

MUST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEED THAT OF THE PHARISEES? — BOB PRICHARD

The words of Christ in Matthew 5-7, the “Sermon on the Mount,” are often considered a summary of all Christian living. If all the best of modern psychology were gathered, it would not compare in beauty and simplicity with the Sermon on the Mount. Early in that sermon, Jesus made a strong statement: “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). To understand the impact of His statement, we must understand who the scribes and Pharisees were.

Scribes were men who devoted their lives to studying and copying the law. The Pharisees, a Jewish religious sect, devoted their lives to keeping the law in every detail. Although there were probably never more than 6,000 Pharisees, they play a large part in the New Testament story. The name “Pharisee” has almost become synonymous with “hypocrite,” but we should first think of them as men who were zealous to keep the law. Each had to swear an oath to keep every last detail of the law. No one has ever been more “religious” than the Pharisees, but at the same time no one ever has been further from the kingdom of God. They knew the law and kept the letter of the law, but ignored entirely the spirit of the law. They were righteous men, but their righteousness was entirely self-righteousness.

Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. … Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19). In obeying God, however, men could not follow the example of the Pharisees. They were so busy being “religious” that they had no time for really obeying God. Jesus condemned them, saying, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matthew 23:23). So concerned for the smaller matters of the law, even tithing small spices, they disregarded what was really important. The Lord expected them to do both the minor matters of the law, and the weightier matters.

It is always easier to be “religious” than to be righteous. The response of the Pharisees to the will of God was a response of duty only. Our response to God must be one of love. Jesus said that love for Him meant even loving our enemies, as we seek to be perfect, even as our Heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:43-48). The story of the “Good Samaritan” illustrates that we must love others, as Christ has loved us. A righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees is derived from a life of service and obedience to God. Our reliance must be on Him, and His righteousness, and not our own self-righteousness.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHRISTIAN LIVING

MUST WE GIVE THANKS IF WE ARE IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES? — BOB PRICHARD

When the world seems to be closing in on us, or when we feel like we have our backs up against the wall, giving thanks may be the last thing we would ever think of. We may reason, if I am in difficult circumstances, then have no responsibility or need to be thankful. After all, we are to be thankful for blessings, not difficult circumstances. This kind of reasoning is not correct, however, because all of God’s children have the responsibility and the need to be thankful.

To be thankful in the midst of difficult times is very hard, yet Paul said, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). How is this possible? Sometimes when we think the situation cannot get any worse, it does! But we must remember, when we belong to and serve God, no situation is hopeless. God’s children can count on His providential care, and His never ending love. The problem is that in the midst of our difficulties, we sometimes have a sort of “spiritual amnesia.” We forget all that God had done for us, and the difficulties He has helped us through.

The psalmist reminded Israel of “his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (Psalm 78:4-7). 

The difficulties most of us have faced pale into insignificance compared to the pain and suffering Job faced. His response to the loss of all of his possessions, and all ten of his children, was to worship God. “Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:20-21). Job was able to do this because he was a man totally devoted to God. God described him as being “a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil” (Job 1:8). When the difficult times came, Job was ready to trust in the Lord. He did not understand why he was suffering as he was, but He knew that God is worthy to be praised, even in the midst of the most trying times.

The “attitude of gratitude,” the spirit of gratefulness, must mark those who would follow the Lord. As Paul and Silas sat in the depths of the jail at Philippi, their feet in the stocks, having been beaten for their testimony to Christ, they “prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25). They would not allow the circumstances to keep them from offering praise to God. In the midst of so many things we cannot understand or do not like, we must thank Him for those things we can understand, and the blessings He so richly gives us. Looking back, we should thank Him. Looking ahead, we should trust Him. Looking around, we should serve Him. He is worthy of all the praise and thanksgiving we can give Him.

BIBLE QUESTIONS, Blog, GOD

HOW CAN GOD HAVE ALWAYS EXISTED? — BOB PRICHARD

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, Moses was afraid.  “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3:13-14). God called Himself “I AM,” indicating His eternal existence. This name implies that God always has been, and always will be. Moses recognized the eternal nature of God in Psalm 90:2: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”  

Perhaps the greatest difficulty hindering finite man from understanding the eternality of God is that man is a time-bound creature. We are born, we live, and we die. We live exclusively in the duration of time. But God is outside time, and not bound by time at all. Job’s “friend” Elihu said, “Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out” (Job 36:26). The scriptures declare God’s eternality. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).  Peter understood that God is not bound by time.  “Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). Peter was not giving a mathematical formula that one day equals a thousand years, but he was indicating that God stands above time, and sees it all as present.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). The fact that there is a creation demands that there be a Creator!  The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). He is the Creator. Was He created? If God was created, then there would have to be a greater God Who created God. What greater God would then create that God? Obviously there must be a great “uncaused Cause.” In other words, God is eternal and has always existed, because there is no greater God that could have created Him. The universe is not eternal. Even non-theological theories such as the “big bang” suggest that the universe had a beginning. The scientific evidence suggests that the universe is wearing out, as the third law of thermodynamics demands. Since the universe clearly had a beginning, it had to have someone or something greater than it to begin it. The Bible tells us that the self-existent God created the universe, and revealed Himself to man in Jesus Christ. Christ identified Himself as eternal when he said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). God “hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:20).

BIBLE, CHRISTIAN LIVING, JOHN, THIRD, NEW TESTAMENT

TITAN ARUM — BOB PRICHARD

One of the rare events of the century happened on July 30, 1996. The Titan arum, the largest flower in the world, bloomed at London’s Kew Garden. The ten foot tall flower, that was growing at the rate of four to six inches a day just before blooming, rarely blooms. The flower in Kew Garden had previously bloomed only four times, in 1889, 1901, 1926 and 1963.  July 30, 1996 was a red letter day for the rare plant native to the forests of Sumatra, Indonesia.

The anticipated blooming was a little off schedule, however, and few were around to “enjoy” the signature scent of Titan arum as it bloomed at 8:00 p.m. that night. I say “enjoy,” because the nickname for the plant is “the corpse flower,” because of its distinct scent. Botanist Peter Boyce described its overpowering scent as “a mixture of rotting flesh and burning sugar, with ammonia over the top.” The smell, that others thought was like the odor of  fish, went away after a few hours. Naturalist David Attenborough said that the the odor was not designed to be appealing to humans, but was attractive to the sweat bee. It seems that a gas mask is the proper attire for appreciating the blooming plant (USA TODAY, August 1, 1996).

No doubt Titan arum has a particular place in God’s creation, along with snakes, spiders, scorpions, and mosquitoes. It is a shame, though, that the biggest flower in the world stinks when it blooms. It is probably a good thing that it rarely blooms.

Have you known any “Titan arums”? There are some who think of themselves as the “biggest flowers in the garden,” but when they “bloom,” they stink. Diotrephes must have been a “Titan arum.” John told the beloved Gaius, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (3 John 1:9-10).

How much better it would be if we all were the fragrant flowers of the garden, giving off a sweet scent, whether we were big flowers or little flowers. Solomon thought fondly of his lover:  “A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon” (Song of Solomon 4:12-15).

Paul thought of the Philippian’s care for him, saying “I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). He reminds us that the saved “are unto God a sweet savour of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Bloom where you are planted, but don’t make others wish you hadn’t bloomed!

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, OLD TESTAMENT

 WHAT DOES JOB TEACH US ABOUT SUFFERING? — BOB PRICHARD

Victor Hugo said, “Tomorrow, if all literature was to be destroyed, and it was left to me to retain one work only, I should save Job.” The book of Job is valuable for its literary message, but also because it deals with the great themes of life, including the problem of suffering. Job describes the struggles of a righteous man who suffered tremendous pain.

Job’s “friends” afflicted him and criticized him as they blindly believed all suffering is a result of sin. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7) must be true, but it does not always apply to the problem of suffering. Job suffered unmercifully not because of his sin, but because he was a righteous man. The Lord said to Satan, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil.” Satan answered, “Doth Job fear God for nought?” He contended that Job was only faithful because God blessed and protected him. “Touch all he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face” (Job 1:8-11). From that point on, Satan did all he could to afflict Job and cause him to lose his integrity.

As Job struggled, he begged God for an opportunity to plead his case, ultimately coming to understand that because God is a just and loving God, then he must some day have Someone who would plead his case before God. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:26). He expressed the universal longing for a Savior, which was fulfilled in Christ.

Job did not understand that his afflictions came from Satan, so he was in a constant struggle for understanding. He wanted to know, “Why me?” The answer to human suffering cannot be tied up in a nice, neat package. Righteous Job suffered because Satan afflicted him. But why did God allow it? The atheist says that if God is all loving, and all powerful, then He would stop all suffering. God is all loving, and all powerful, but suffering continues. The righteous suffer today for many reasons—because of the strength that comes from testing and trials, because of the consequences of sin, because of natural law (God does not suspend the law of gravity for the Christian), and because of the sinful choices of others. But sometimes we just do not know why, as Job did not know why.

Job demonstrates, however, that God is worthy of love and reverence even apart from all the blessings He gives us. He knows us and knows what is best for us, even when we do not know and understand. We must trust him because of those things we do understand, such as His love that would send Jesus Christ, that redeemer Job longed for.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, SALVATION

WHY WOULD SOMEONE BE BAPTIZED AGAIN? — BOB PRICHARD

Paul wrote that “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Among these great unities is “one baptism,” indicating that only one baptism was applicable to men when Paul wrote. Acts 19:1-7  tells of a group of twelve men that Paul met at Ephesus who knew only John’s baptism, but were baptized into Christ when they understood that they had not fully obeyed God. 

BAPTISM AND FAITH ARE CONNECTED. 

Paul said“unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism” (Acts 19:2-3).

Baptism is for believers. “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:36-37).

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).

JOHN’S BAPTISM WAS FROM GOD, BUT WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. 

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:4-5).

“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). “The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?” (Matthew 21:25). John’s baptism was not scriptural for them. They were subject to baptism into Christ.

PEOPLE CAN BE HONESTLY AND SINCERELY MISTAKEN. 

These twelve menwere honest and sincere, but they needed to be baptized into Christ. Some who honestly think they are saved are lost. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).

THE ONE BAPTISM IS NECESSARY TO PLEASE GOD.

Notice that baptism precedes new life: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). 

Sins are put off as we are baptized. “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:10-12).

CERTAIN THINGS ARE NECESSARY FOR SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM.

(1). The proper mode is immersion. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).

(2). The proper subject for baptism is the penitent believer. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38).

(3). The proper purpose for baptism is salvation. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

HONEST AND SINCERE PEOPLE WILL CHANGE. 

When the men learned they were wrong, they changed. When Saul of Tarsus learned he was wrong, he changed. The people of Thessalonica changed when they understood the gospel of Christ. “For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Have you been baptized according to the scriptures?

BIBLE, CHRISTIAN LIVING, GOD, OLD TESTAMENT

DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER! — BOB PRICHARD

Scientist John Haldane once suggested to theologian Ronald Knox, that in a universe containing millions of planets, it was inevitable that life should appear by chance on at least one of them. Knox replied, “Sir, if Scotland Yard found a body in your Saratoga trunk, would you tell them, ‘There are millions of trunks in the world—surely one of them must contain a body’? I think they still would want to know who put it there.”

With all of the knowledge that science has been able to amass, there is still no clearer or more accurate explanation for how this universe and all the life in it came to be than the words of Moses in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Life is not here by accident!

There is a current scientific movement gaining in popularity which recognizes that our universe shows many marks of Intelligent Design. The I.D. scientific movement has many proponents that are not Christians, in fact some leading scientists are really agnostic—they are not sure if the God of the Bible is the Creator. But they understand that the creation, because of its design, demands a Creator. As David asserted in the long ago, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

In the courtrooms of Dayton, Tennessee, William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow debated whether or not teacher John T. Scopes was guilty of teaching evolution in his high school classroom. Scopes was found guilty in the 1925 trial, but public support for forbidding the teaching of a scientific theory like evolution was lost. Now there are those who want to teach the scientific theory of Intelligent Design in our schools. Those in control, however, want to forbid the teaching of I.D. It is Scopes reversed—evolution is the only theory allowed today. Why are people so afraid of considering the evidence for design? We must recognize the power of the Designer!

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ONE ARK, ONE CHURCH — BOB PRICHARD

God “spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5).

THERE WAS ONLY ONE ARK.

Noah did not build arks. He built one ark. Jesus built one church. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). God “hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

THERE WAS ONLY ONE PATTERN FOR THE ARK.

“Make thee an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:14-16). “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he” (Genesis 6:22). We must do all God commands us to do concerning the pattern of the church, found in the New Testament (Romans 6:17).

THERE WAS ONLY ONE LIGHT SOURCE.

“A window shalt thou make to the ark” (Genesis 6:16). Our light today is the light of God’s word which reveals His Son, the light of the world. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).  

THERE WAS ONLY ONE FAMILY IN THE ARK.

“While the ark was a-preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water” (1 Peter 3:20). “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

THERE WAS ONLY ONE WAY INTO THE ARK.

“The door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it” (Genesis 6:16). “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9). “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. … Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5).

THE ARK SHOWS GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES.

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:12-13). 

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38-39).

THERE WAS ONLY ONE DANGER!

The danger was being outside! Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37-39). We must be in the ark [the church], and remain there for safety!

(Adapted from Jack McNiel)

BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHRISTIAN LIVING

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT CREMATION? — BOB PRICHARD

Cremation refers to disposing of the body of the deceased by burning to ashes. In ancient times, it involved either burning the whole body, or the burning of all but the bones, which were then buried. Cremation was practiced by the Greeks and Romans, but rarely by the Hebrews and early Christians. Achan was burned because of his sin (Joshua 7:25). The bodies of King Saul and his sons were burned, apparently to prevent the Philistines from molesting the bodies. Their bones were then buried (1 Samuel 31:11-13). The Jews buried or placed the body in a sepulchre, believing in the resurrection of the body. From a practical standpoint, fuel for cremation was scarce, while caves for burial were plentiful. The worst of indignities was for the body to be exposed and not receive proper burial.

Man was formed of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7), and as soon as he dies, his body begins to return to dust. The Egyptians embalmed the body (the Hebrews did not) in attempts to prevent the natural decay. Modern embalming, caskets, vaults, etc. also slow this decay, but do not prevent it. Cremation hastens that return to the elements which happens naturally upon burial. The human body is described as the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19), and must be treated with dignity in life and in death. Some feel that cremation is disrespectful, but it is not clear that cremation is any more disrespectful to the body than are embalming and burial. In either case, a memorial service may be held, and the remains my be interred respectfully. Cremation is frequently chosen today because of the lower expense, and the lack of burial places in some large urban areas.

Cremation raises questions relating to resurrection of the body. The “resurrection body” will be like our natural body in some ways, but in some ways different. “It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Since the natural body is a corruptible body, it really makes no difference (so far as the incorruptible resurrection body is concerned), whether the body is buried, cremated, or eaten by a wild animal. God will certainly give His children the new resurrection bodies they need.

Cremation may be used to escape the reality of death, or may be more traumatic to the family. Viewing the body and the traditional funeral service are often helpful to the family as they deal with grief. What the family believes is best should be chosen, maintaining respect for the body.

BIBLE, JESUS CHRIST

WHAT WAS THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST TOWARD THE SCRIPTURES? — BOB PRICHARD

The attitude of Christ toward the scriptures was one of complete trust, knowing that He relied on His heavenly father completely. He said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me” (John 7:16). He astonished the people because He spoke with authority, by appealing to the scriptures (Matthew 7:28-29). He warned that it was by his words that all will be judged:  “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

Christ’s teaching was filled with quotations of and allusions to scripture. He spoke of the creation, the institution of marriage, Noah, Sodom, Abraham, Elijah, Zechariah, and a host of other Bible characters and events. He spoke of these people and events as being historical. Modern “scholars” frequently deny that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, but Jesus upholds Mosaic authorship (John 7:19).  When Satan came to test Him at the beginning of His ministry, He answered each challenge by quoting scripture: “It is written … it is written … it is said” (Luke 4:4, 8, 12). Even in death, He quoted scripture. When He cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), He was quoting from Psalm 22:1, and thus calling attention to the fact that He was fulfilling many prophecies in that very psalm. Even as He made His way to the cross, He submitted to the scripture, knowing that all must be fulfilled. “For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end” (Luke 22:37).

The very basis of Christ’s teaching was the written word. “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:3-6). Not only did Jesus appeal to the scriptures for authority, but He counted them as the final authority in debate. When the Pharisees sought to entrap Him concerning marriage, Jesus asked, “Have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:31-32). God spoke in words that could be read, and Jesus counted them as the final authority.

Jesus came to fulfill scripture, upholding its authority to the smallest detail. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18). We can do no less than to uphold and defend the authority of the written Word.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, REVELATION

WHY IS THERE SO MUCH CONFUSION ABOUT THE BOOK OF REVELATION? — BOB PRICHARD

There is probably no book of the Bible that is more often misunderstood, misapplied, or abused than the book of Revelation. It has been the “jumping-off” point for cults and wild religious speculation for centuries. Simply understanding the purpose of the book and its nature would end confusion. It begins, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Revelation 1:1). John received the message of the book through the angel of God, and that message was a “Revelation of Jesus Christ” which God gave to show his servants “things which must shortly come to pass.”

Abusers of the book of Revelation often claim that its message has been hidden until now, and that they are the only ones who can explain its message. But the very nature of the book of Revelation, is that it reveals, or makes known the hidden things. Many would try to lead us to believe that no one until the twentieth century could understand what the book meant, and yet God intended for His followers from the beginning to understand and benefit from it. God did not hide His message to believers in Revelation, He disclosed it! God wanted His servants to understand these “things which must shortly come to pass.” If God has waited until the present to let us understand what the book means, then the words “shortly come to pass” have little meaning. The book would have had no meaning to the first readers.

The first century readers of the book of Revelation were literally in a fight for their lives. The rise of emperor worship in the Roman empire was making it harder and harder for Christians to live and maintain their commitment to the understanding that there is one Lord and that Lord was not the Roman emperor. “To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:6). History shows that Christians were thrown to the lions, burned at the stake, crucified, and martyred for their faith. It even reached the point that “no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:17). Only those who had worshipped “the beast,” the Roman emperor, could engage in commerce.

God planned the language of the book of Revelation, with its many symbols, to reveal the message to His people, but prevent the Roman authorities from understanding. The Christians who were working to maintain their faith in the midst of persecution could take strength from knowing that Satan and his followers must lose. Knowing that “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15) comforted them. Revelation has comforted Christians down through the centuries with its message of hope in the darkest hour. The key is to see its over-all message, without demanding to explain every symbol.

BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHRISTIAN LIVING, Proverbs

IS PROVERBS 22:6 A GUARANTEE TO FAITHFUL PARENTS? — BOB PRICHARD

Solomon said, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). These words bring comfort to many parents who understand that the difficult task of parenting will  be rewarded by faithful children, but there are many parents who are filled with guilt and anguish because their children have gone astray, despite their best efforts. Solomon’s words are simple enough, but they just don’t always seem to come true! All too often godly men and women try with all of their ability to be good parents, but still fail. But it must be understood that Proverbs 22:6 is a proverb, not a promise. A proverb is a general statement of a rule, which may have exceptions. Those “exceptions to the rule” cause heartache.  

Implied in “train up a child in the way he should go” are the concepts of providing real training, and knowing “the way he should go.” Sadly, many parents have no concept of “training up a child.” They do little or nothing to provide the necessary spiritual food their children need.  While they may demand that the church train their children spiritually, they see no need to do this themselves as parents. The word here translated as “train up” is used elsewhere in scripture to mean dedicating something or someone to God’s service, as in 1 Kings 8:63, where “the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.” Thus Solomon urges all parents to dedicate and train their children for service.

“In the way he should go” literally means “according to his way.” That is, the training or dedication of the child should be according to his natural personal inclination, abilities, age, and qualifications. The idea of “the way he should go” is not so much the way the parent wants him to go, but the way the child should go so as to maximize his talents in service to God. To actually know “the way he should go” implies that the parent will spend a great deal of time learning the needs, desires, and capabilities of the child. To fulfill the proverb requires tremendous commitment.

That investment of the time, energy, and knowledge necessary for each child is worthwhile, though, because “when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The parent who has made the proper investment of training up the child in the way he should go will know that the child has been properly prepared to live wisely before God.

But what about the child who strays. Have the parents failed? Sadly, many times parents do fail. But just as often, the child that goes astray does so because he exercises his own free will to disobey. Many godly men and women, such as the prophet Samuel, lost their children because their children chose to follow the way of the world.

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHRISTIAN LIVING

CAN THE AVERAGE PERSON REALLY UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE? — BOB PRICHARD

Yes! Numerous passages of scripture are directly addressed to the common person. “Husbands, love your wives … Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands … Children, obey your parents in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:25, 22; 6:1). “I write unto you, little children … I write unto you, fathers … I write unto you, young men” (1 John 2:12-13). The Bible is God’s message to humanity. All will be judged according to the Bible, so a God of Justice would not require mankind to understand the un-understandable.

The Bible’s longest chapter is filled with praise for God’s written Word, indicating that He wants and expects the individual to understand. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130). The Bible is for the “simple,” not just religious authorities. “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (verse 99).  It is not through the precepts of men, or their interpretations, but through God’s precepts that we gain understanding:  “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. … Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (verses 100, 104).

Paul told the church at Corinth, “we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge” (2 Corinthians 1:13). The modern language NIV renders his  words, “we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand.” Although Paul had written the Corinthians about difficult subjects such as church discipline, spiritual gifts, marriage, and the resurrection, he still expected them to read and understand. In similar fashion, he wrote to the church at Ephesus, “by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3-4). Paul’s readers could have the same insight into the (no longer hidden) mystery that had been revealed to him in Christ.

As long as people do not believe they can understand the Bible, and refuse to study it for themselves, they will not understand. The key is to put into practice what we do understand! The deepest understanding of God’s Will comes when through study we are “those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). If the average person cannot really understand the Bible without another intervening to teach, then it means that the God Who created the universe was not able to make Himself understood through the Word. If the average man cannot trust his own understanding, how can he trust another man’s understanding? 2 Peter 1:19-21, written to Christians, says that  “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  Peter did not say that  no individual can understand, but that the prophets spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, revealing God’s message, rather than their own. “Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word” (Psalm 119:169).  You can understand the Bible!

BIBLE QUESTIONS, SALVATION

WHEN SHOULD A PERSON BE “REBAPTIZED”? — BOB PRICHARD

Strictly speaking, scriptural baptism is a “one time” proposition. Ephesians 4:5 says that there is “one baptism” today. The “one baptism” consists of the immersion of a penitent believer in water, whereby he contacts the blood of Christ, receives the forgiveness of his sins, and the Lord adds him to the church. Even if a person “backslides,” or becomes unfaithful, it is not necessary to be rebaptized, if his original baptism was a scriptural baptism. Simon the sorcerer, in Acts 8, is an example of a Christian who sinned, and was told to pray for forgiveness. Peter told Simon, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). Philip the evangelist had properly taught and baptized Simon, so there was no need for him to be rebaptized (Acts 8:13).

Sometimes, however, when a person thinks he is being scripturally baptized, he is really doing no more than getting wet. After further Bible study, he may realize he was not baptized according to the scriptures. Several conditions call for a person who has received “another baptism” to be baptized into Christ. Nearly every religious group practices some form of baptism. But if that baptism is not the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5, then it is not a scriptural baptism. For instance, if a person has only been sprinkled with water, and has not been  immersed, or “buried with him by baptism into death” (Romans 6:4), then when he realizes the proper mode of baptism is immersion into Christ, he should be “rebaptized.”

Also, baptism that follows salvation, to join a man-made religious body, is not the “one baptism.” Peter said to the multitude on Pentecost, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). The three thousand who obeyed that day, as others of the New Testament, received the remission, or forgiveness of their sins, after baptism. Sectarian baptism, even if by immersion, cannot be the “one baptism” if the person thinks that he has already received the forgiveness of his sins, and is thus saved, before his baptism. The purpose for baptism  makes a difference! Scriptural baptism puts one into the church, the body of Christ, which He has promised to save. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Often mature believers who committed their lives to Christ and were baptized at an early age begin to question whether they properly understood what they were doing when baptized. If the person was old enough to understand that he was obeying Christ by being  immersed, receiving the forgiveness of his sins, and making Christ the Lord of  his life, then he understood enough. It is only natural that as one grows in his understanding of the scriptures, he  will realize that there was much he did not understand when he first became a Christian. If there is doubt in a person’s mind,  however, concerning his baptism, then he should take action to remove that doubt. The Master said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

CHRISTIAN LIVING

DO YOU NEED SOME OF THIS? — BOB PRICHARD

Have you heard about the new toothpaste? It has shoe polish in it. It is made for people who are constantly putting their foot in their mouth!

Don’t all of us wish, sometimes, that we had thought a little before we said what we said? Once those words leave our lips, they are so hard to call back. It is so easy for something we never intended to say to slip out. Of course, if we didn’t think those bad things, they wouldn’t be there to slip out. 

Wisdom speaks to us and says, “Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (Proverbs 8:4-11). Notice, for wisdom, the opening of the lips is only for right things, for truth. Wickedness is an abomination to the lips of wisdom.

James warned about how hard, but how necessary, it is to control the tongue. “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:2-5).

Solomon reminds us, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28). Just for today, let’s really think before we speak, and speak things that are good and right. Otherwise, you may need some of the toothpaste with shoe polish in it!

Blog, CHRISTIAN LIVING, CHURCH

BEAUTIFUL HARMONY — BOB PRICHARD

What cooperation! What unity! What harmony! I wish I was describing a congregation of God’s people, but instead, it was the Prague Symphony Orchestra. They performed in the  Knox Concert Series, and I had the chance to hear and see this great orchestra up close. The experience of hearing the orchestra reminded me anew about the importance of unity and cooperation.

The Prague Symphony Orchestra was composed of some 89 musicians, as well as a conductor, stage crew, etc. Almost a third of the musicians were violinists. It was interesting to see all of those bows moving in unison. Their skill was evident. This great skill means they used their God-given talents, and practiced endless hours. George Eliot said, “‘Tis God gives skill, But not without men’s hands: He could not make Antonio Stradivari’s violins without Antonio.” I wonder what we might accomplish in the Lord’s church if we were as diligent in honing our God-given talents and skills to be used in His service in the same way these musicians did.

All of the musicians were playing the same piece of music, and were “on the same page.” They were playing as individuals, under the direction of the conductor. As we follow Christ and scripture, we also work in unity and harmony.

From my vantage point in the concert, I could observe some of the musicians better than others. I was especially interested in the gentleman who played the tambourine during the first piece, Dvorak’s “Carnival Overture.” I never knew that anyone could be so enthusiastic playing the tambourine! It would seem this would not take as much skill as playing a violin, or a cello, or an oboe. Yet he played it with amazing energy and vigor, adding to the overall beauty of the piece, providing just the right accent needed. In the Lord’s work, there are often “parts” which seem minor─preparing the communion, counting the attendance, turning on the heat, etc., but think what a difference it makes when some of those “minor” jobs aren’t done as they should be.

As Paul reminded the Corinthians, “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). We all have something to contribute to the Lord’s work, and we need everyone!

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

CHRISTIAN LIVING

TIME OUT! — BOB PRICHARD

My then three year-old grandson spent the weekend with his dad at a law school competition in Birmingham. He enjoyed being with his daddy on the trip, but there was quite a bit of time just sitting and waiting for the team to complete various competitions. At one point, after they had been sitting on a bench waiting for a long time, he turned to his dad and asked, “Daddy, How long do we have to stay in ‘time out’?”

Have you been in time out recently? What do we do when we are in “time out,” waiting for God to do what we need Him to do?

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

Have you ever watched an eagle fly? As it soars in the sky, it seems that its flight is effortless. Using its strong wings, it knows how to soar as it is lifted by the wind currents.

I haven’t reached that point yet when I can soar while I wait, but I know that God has promised me that when I fully trust in Him. What seems like a child’s “time out,” may just be a time when the Lord is preparing me for greater service, or He may be offering me a test that will make me the patient Christian that I need to be. Normally I want my patience RIGHT NOW, but that is not always God’s way. His way is to trust Him RIGHT NOW, and know that He will work things in His own way, because “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

CHRISTIAN LIVING

TAKING HOLY THINGS FOR GRANTED — BOB PRICHARD

In my recent Bible reading, the following passage was significant. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD” (Leviticus 10:1-2). 

This tragic situation came about because these two sons of Aaron were careless in their service to God. What struck me in my reading of the passage this time is what I read in the two verses before this. “And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.  And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces” (Leviticus 9:23-24).

Did you notice what happened? The “glory of the Lord” appeared to the people, and the Lord sent a fire out that consumed the sacrifice, and “all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” And then in the very next verse, Nadab and Abihu brought down more fire from the Lord by their disobedience. It makes me wonder, how could they have done this? Weren’t they paying attention? Didn’t they realize the power of God? Didn’t they know what they were doing?

I don’t know all of the reasons that Nadab and Abihu made their fateful choice, but one thing is obvious. They took holy things for granted. They were the right people, with the right implements of worship, doing the right thing, in the right place, but in the wrong way. And they paid for it with their lives.

I wonder how often we are guilty of taking holy things for granted. Have you ever partaken of the Lord’s Supper, and then realized that you didn’t even think about what Christ did for you. Most all of us are guilty of sometimes singing words we don’t mean or believe in worship. When we sing “Anywhere with Jesus,” do we mean it? When we sing, “all to Thee, I surrender,” do we mean it?

The Lord has blessed us with His mercy, in that He has not destroyed us like Nadab and Abihu. But can we continue to take holy things for granted? “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).