Tag Archives: Bob Prichard

Christian Living

LIFE IN A MADHOUSE? — BOB PRICHARD

It was a terribly hectic day at the doctor’s office. And it was made worse by the new receptionist who was trying very hard to cope with the chaos, but just could not get it all together. Answering the phone, checking in new patients, and doing so many new things was just more than the new receptionist could handle. The psychiatrist had taken all he could, but finally had to correct her phone answering technique. “When you answer the phone,” he said, “just say we’re terribly busy today.  Please don’t say it’s a madhouse around here.”

What is it like in your life? Are you so busy some of these days that you don’t know what to do next? If you are retired, do you sometimes wonder how you had time to go to work? It’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between just being very busy and living in a madhouse, isn’t it?

Jesus was also extremely busy, but He still had time to “get away from it all” to spend time communing with His Heavenly Father. “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth” (Mark 1:35-38). Simon’s comment, “All men seek for thee,” demonstrates how busy He was, and how many claims were made on His time and energy. But there was still time for prayer, for time with friends like Mary, and Martha, and Lazarus, and to bless children.

Even in the midst of the busy pace of life, however, Jesus offers us peace. He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

There is tribulation in the world, but He offers peace.

He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Maybe it is time to give some of your burdens to Him, and take up His yoke.

Christian Living, Salvation

LOST NO MORE — BOB PRICHARD

Lost finally solved its problem.  No more stolen signs. No more lost deliveries. No more confusion. Or at least we would hope so.

On average, Lost lost a road sign every year, and it had a perennial problem of lost deliveries. People loved to come to Lost to have their pictures taken, standing there with a bewildered expression, with a Lost  road sign in the background.

The problem is solved, though, because the small Scottish village of Lost changed  its name to “Lost Farm.” Local official Bruce Luffman told Reuters News Service that in addition to the lost road signs, “Deliveries get lost because they’ve got no idea where ‘Lost’ is, and it’s very confusing” (World, March 13, 2004).

The dictionary defines “lost” as “not made use of, won, or claimed; unable to find the way; no longer visible; lacking assurance or self-confidence: helpless; ruined or destroyed physically or morally: desperate; no longer possessed, no longer known; taken away or beyond reach or attainment: denied; hardened, insensible; absorbed, rapt (as in reverie).” As I read that lengthy definition, I noticed that there is not even one sense in which lost is a good thing, with the exception of the very last one, of being “lost in reverie.”

How bad is it to be lost? Have you ever been so lost that you just had no idea whatsoever where you were? Have you been so lost that you never could have found your way back without the help of someone else?

Much of the time when we are lost, we are not really lost. We may be a bit confused, but we know if we will just backtrack a little bit, or even stoop to breaking the secret men’s code [You can’t admit you are lost], and actually ask for directions, we can find our way. But when we think of being lost spiritually, we realize that the one who is lost is not just lost but dead. When the prodigal returned, the loving father said, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24).

Since being lost is so serious, it is imperative to do all we can to reach others. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul talks about the treasure of the gospel, a treasure that must be shared with others. “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (3-4). Paul says that we don’t preach ourselves, but the wonderful message of Christ, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (7). There is power in the gospel! The lost are counting on us to share the good news with them. Do it today!

Christian Living

CAN I BORROW YOUR ROPE? — BOB PRICHARD

A farmer came and asked his neighbor if he could borrow his rope. The neighbor said, “No, I can’t let you borrow it.” 

“Why not,” he replied. 

“Because I’m using it to tie up my milk.”

“But you can’t tie up milk with a rope.”

“I know, but when you don’t want to do something, one excuse is as good as another.”

As a preacher, I often hear excuses from people for why they don’t want to do something, and very often they fall in the category of “tying up milk.” I had a teacher in high school who really stressed to us that there is a big difference between an excuse and a reason. If you came into his class and said, “My excuse for being late is … ,” or “My excuse for not having my homework done is … ,” he would say, “I don’t want an excuse, I want a reason!”

Have you been planning to get back in church, read your Bible more, or be baptized? Have you been planning to start coming on Sunday nights or Wednesday nights? Have you been planning to volunteer to teach a class, work with VBS or Lads to Leaders, or do something else you should do? Do you have a reason? Or is it an excuse for not doing what you should do? 

Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). He puts it pretty plainly doesn’t He? There it is in black and white. You may make all the excuses you want to, but if you are not obeying the Lord, you don’t love Him. Is it time to take some action? 

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:46-49).

Christian Living

IF CHILDREN RAN THE WORLD — BOB PRICHARD

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you ran the world? You could probably think of many changes you would make. The world would no doubt be a better place if you were running the world.

Walter Waldheim comments: “If children were allowed to run the country, we’d have soda flowing out of the drinking fountains, bridges built with Tinkertoys, styrofoam airliners, and bad countries would have to play by themselves.”

In many ways, our generation has failed the world. We have allowed our world to be a place filled with violence and ugliness. My prayer is that the next generation will do better than we have.

Perhaps this is why Jesus was known as One Who welcomed the children. The disciples just knew that He was too busy to be bothered by the children. “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:14-16).

What does it mean to be a child in the kingdom of God? Children often have beautiful characteristics such as optimism and trust. They just know that Daddy can fix anything, and that Mother’s kiss can cure any injury. They can see the wonder in the commonplace things of the world, and time provides the opportunity to learn and grow. And of course, one of the most enduring characteristics of children is that they forgive so easily. Rather than harboring grudges and ill feelings, they quickly make up. Life is too short for fussing and feuding. And if someone won’t play right, they just may have to play by themselves.

Have you received the kingdom of God as a little child? When the people of Samaria “believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).

Blog

CONTEXT — BOB PRICHARD

Webster defines it this way: con•text \ n [ME, weaving together of words, fr. L contextus connection of words] 1: the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light upon its meaning 2: MILIEU, ENVIRONMENT.

One of the most important elements to consider in hermeneutics [a fancy word for Bible interpretation] is context. The context often makes all the difference between understanding and misunderstanding a passage. The Bible has been divided into chapters and verses for our convenience. Without these divisions, it would be much harder to find things in the Bible. It also causes many problems, though, because the chapter and verse divisions tend to make us ignore context. We tend to think that the verse or chapter stands alone, which is almost always not correct.

Our communication is based on letters, words, sentences, paragraphs, etc. Many Bible verses are simply parts of longer sentences, and thus cannot be properly understood without considering the rest of the sentence. Further, a sentence often cannot be understood without considering the paragraph in which it is found. Beyond this, a paragraph often cannot be understood without considering the surrounding chapters, the whole book, or the entire Bible. All of this is context.

Consider this example of stringing together individual Bible passages without consideration of context:

“Then Judas, which had betrayed him … cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:3-5). “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31). “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly” (John 13:27).

Consideration of the context is so important, because without it, we run the risk of making the Bible say what we want it to say. Instead, we need to let the Bible speak, and learn what it really says, not just what we want or expect it to say. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Context would tell us that it is not just any truth that makes us free, but the truth of God’s Word. And if we love truth as we should, we will make sure that we consider context.

Christian Living

“AND THE PIG GOT UP” — BOB PRICHARD

Benjamin Hapgood Burt (1880-1950) wrote the following song in 1933:

“One evening in October, when I was one-third sober,

An’ taking home a ‘load’ with manly pride;

My poor feet began to stutter, so I lay down in the gutter,

And a pig came up an’ lay down by my side;

Then we sang ‘It’s all fair weather when good friends get together,’

Till a lady passing by was heard to say:

‘You can tell a man who “boozes” by the company he chooses’

And the pig got up and slowly walked away.”

Many have made light of the sin of drunkenness. Dean Martin, the singer and actor, joked, “You’re not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.” Humorist Robert Benchley (1889-1945) was scolded by a friend, “Don’t you know alcohol is slow poison?” Benchley replied, “So who’s in a hurry?”

Drinking alcohol is no joke, however. The drinker likes to overlook the lives ruined and ended by the drunk driver, and the families destroyed by alcohol. Solomon said, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Alcohol deceives every day, because the drinker sees neither the damage he causes, nor the foolishness he spouts. Over two hundred years ago, Samuel Johnson said, “One of the disadvantages of wine is that it makes a man mistake words for thoughts.”

Solomon also said, “They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again” (Proverbs 23:30-35).

Blog

THE POWER OF A COMMA — BOB PRICHARD

In her best-selling book about punctuation, Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation,  Lynn Truss made a striking point concerning the way punctuation can change a sentence (New York: Gotham Books, 2004, p. 74). She cites Luke 23:43 as an example. The King James Version renders the verse, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Thus Jesus promised the repentant “thief on the cross” that they would be together in paradise that day. 

As Truss points out, however, the preferred Roman Catholic rendering of the verse is “Verily I say unto thee this day, Thou shalt be with me in paradise.” Notice the subtle change by moving the comma. While the KJV gives the understanding that Jesus and the thief would be together in paradise that very day, the sense of the Catholic rendering is that while Jesus and the thief would be together in paradise at some point, the time is unspecified. 

Why does this comma make any difference? The reason the placement of the comma matters is the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, defined as a place intermediate between heaven and earth, where the dead who have not done sufficient penance in life may endure suffering for a certain period of time to satisfy the demands of justice left from life. Under current teaching about purgatory, the righteous on earth can pray, burn candles, and do works of penance to help those in purgatory make that last step from temporary suffering to heaven. 

The choice of where to put the comma in Luke 23:43 is one that the translators have made, since the original autographs of the Greek do not contain commas. (Biblical Hebrew does not even have vowels!) Wherever we place the comma, however, there is no mention in the Bible of purgatory. Two false doctrines—original sin and salvation through meritorious works, made the idea of purgatory necessary. Let us be sure that we do not read into the text those things which are not there!

Christian Living

“I’M A TRIFLE DEAF, YOU KNOW” — BOB PRICHARD

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) was a writer and physician, and the father of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Dr. Holmes, Sr. loved to be flattered, and in his old age he took advantage of his loss of hearing to get more flattery. When someone would compliment him, he would say, “I am a trifle deaf, you know. Do you mind repeating that a little louder.” The usual result was a repeated and broadened compliment, A LITTLE LOUDER.

Who among us does not like to be praised and flattered? Praise is valuable, but we have to be careful with flattery. When Eddie Haskel “complimented” Mrs. Cleaver on the old Leave it to Beaver show, his flattery was dripping with insincerity. Someone has said, “Flattery is like chewing gum─enjoy it briefly, but don’t swallow it.”

On the other hand, though, sincere praise and commendation may be just what many of us need. One of the great servants in the early church was a man named Joses, a Levite from Cyprus, who “having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37). Because of his great works in the kingdom, the apostles renamed him Barnabas, or “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). 

This Levite from Cyprus had a tremendous effect on the early church. “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24). Without his influence, the church at Jerusalem might have never accepted Paul (Acts 9:27). His work as a missionary was invaluable to the spread of the gospel. He was able to have such a significant impact because he was an encourager.

The world, and the church, are both filled with people who just need to hear a good word some time. Many struggle through day after day, unable to see anything or anyone to cheer them on their way. You could just make someone’s day, just by saying the right thing. They don’t need dishonest flattery, but honest encouragement and appreciation could make such a great difference. We’re all “a trifle deaf” when it comes to hearing compliments and good things. I challenge you to be a Barnabas this week!

Christian Living

THEISMANN/HEISMAN — BOB PRICHARD

Joe Theismann had a very successful NFL career playing quarterback for the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) for twelve seasons. He led them to two Super Bowls, and was an all-pro. At Notre Dame he set several records, and had a 20-3-2 record as a starter. He was in contention for the Heisman trophy in 1971, when Notre Dame publicity man Roger Valdiserri  insisted he should begin pronouncing his name to rhyme with Heisman (as he still pronounces it today), although he had always pronounced his name “Theesman.” The ploy did not work, as he came in second in the voting behind Jim Plunkett of Stanford.

I suppose many of us would change our names if it meant fame and fortune for us. Biblical name changes have had much more significance, however. At the age of ninety-nine,  Abram who fell on his face before the LORD, as the LORD said, “As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee” (Genesis 17:4-6). With God’s renewal of the promised blessing, Abram, “exalted father,”  becomes Abraham, “father of many nations.”

After a night wrestling with the angel of the Lord, Jacob, whose name meant  “supplanter,” or “deceiver” became Israel, “Prince of God.” The father of the twelve patriarchs was a changed man, with a new outlook.

Other significant name changes include Joses, renamed Barnabas, “son of consolation,” or “son of encouragement,” by the apostles (Acts 4:36), and Simon, called Cephas, or Peter, “a stone,” by Jesus (John 1:42).

Seeing the age of the coming Messiah, the prophet predicted, “the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name” (Isaiah 62:2). Peter commanded, “if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16). “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26) Since that time only those who have obeyed Him may rightfully wear this new name. Do you wear the name Christian? Does your life bring honor to this name?

Christian Living, Salvation

“THE 100” — BOB PRICHARD

The Birmingham News (July 3, 2016) released a list, “The 100,” their rating of the 100 greatest football players of all time with Alabama roots. They range from number 1 Don Hutson, Alabama end from the 1930’s, who also played for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL, to number 100, David Palmer, Alabama wide receiver. Familiar names along the way included Cam Newton, Auburn quarterback, #5; Mark Ingram, Alabama running back, #48; and Ken Stabler, Alabama quarterback, #10. 

Rather than rely entirely on opinion, the list was based largely on honors received such as membership in the college and NFL halls of fame, NFL MVP, Heisman trophy, etc. No doubt other factors not revealed were included. I found it interesting that the other end for Alabama when Don Hutson was playing was a fellow Arkansas native, Paul W. “Bear” Bryant. Bryant did not make the list of “The 100.”

Hebrews 11 contains a similar list, given in chronological order, beginning with Abel, who by faith “offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). The list, sometimes called “Faith’s Hall of Fame,” continues with Enoch who “had this testimony, that he pleased God” (11:5). Other on the list include Noah, Abraham, Sara, Moses, Rahab, and many others, some unnamed. 

Verse 13 is a summary statement for all of those who made the list: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

We are in a better position than these Old Testament saints, because they “received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us” (11:39-40). We have the full revelation of God’s will, and knowledge that Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” has endured the cross for us and “is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). 

It is not necessary for our name to be on the list of “The 100,” but it must be in the book of life (Revelation 3:5). Paul looked forward to receiving a crown of righteousness from the Lord, the righteous judge, “and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

Christian Living

“YES, MA’AM!” — BOB PRICHARD

Many have noted the general coarsening of our society in recent days. The use of manners, it would seem, is a thing of the past. Too many parents are failing to properly train their children. I try to make it a point to compliment young people when they use good manners, holding a door for others, speaking respectfully, etc. Not everyone thinks that way, however. Tamarion Wilson, a fifth grade student at East Carolina Preparatory School in Tarboro, NC was punished by having to write “ma’am” 200 times after replying “Yes, Ma’am” to his female teacher, who had ordered her students not to call her “sir” or “ma’am.” The student was not intending to disobey the teacher, but he had been so well-trained by his parents that he was accidentally polite. His parents have since moved him to another class (World, September 29, 2018, 13).

Among the instructions Moses gave to Israel was the command, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head [gray haired], and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:32). Solomon likewise says, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). “If” has been added here by the translators, suggesting their understanding that not all aged men are found in the way of righteousness. Courtesy demands respect and concern for the aged, whether they by their lives have “earned it” or not. 

The problem for us today is that how we act is too often predicated on how others act. If they are nice and polite, we are nice and polite. But if they are like so many in our society who are neither nice nor polite, we act as if that gives us permission to be neither nice nor polite.

The way of the follower of Jesus is not that way, however. “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 16:31-35).

I hope that young Tamarion Wilson did not learn the wrong lesson from his encounter with his teacher. Even despite her, there is still a need for “Yes Ma’am” and “Yes Sir” in our society.

Christian Living

70 RESOLUTIONS — BOB PRICHARD

Many consider Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) the greatest American theologian and philosopher of the eighteenth century. He graduated from Yale University as valedictorian at 17, and became the president of Princeton University at 54, only to die shortly thereafter from a tainted smallpox vaccination. Best known for his 1741 sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” he was effective as an evangelist. His books include A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God, The Nature of True Virtue, Original Sin and others.

At the age of 19, he wrote out 70 resolutions that were to govern his life and ministry. Some include:

“Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way I can.

Resolved, Never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, Never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

Resolved, to study the scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.”

If you make resolutions, you might want to give some consideration to Edwards’ resolutions. What we do with our lives is in our own hands. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

Bible questions, Salvation

WHY WE MUST BE BURIED WITH CHRIST IN BAPTISM — BOB PRICHARD

The heart of the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Paul began the great resurrection chapter, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

It was their understanding that they had crucified the Son of God that made men at Pentecost cry out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter’s response was “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 2:36-38).

The baptism that Peter preached that day was the baptism preached in the early church. Paul reminded the Christians of Rome that he and they had both been baptized in the same way, for the same reasons. “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).

These verses speak of our baptism or burial into Christ, our clothing of ourselves in Him. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

I.  BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.

Our baptism pictures what we know to be true of Christ. As Jesus introduced the Lord’s Supper, He took bread and the cup and told them that his body and blood were given for us (Luke 22:19-20). We understand that Jesus suffered for us, “that he might sanctify the people with his own blood” (Hebrews 13:12).

We rejoice with the angels that said, “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:6 -7). Every baptism proclaims the truth of the gospel.

II. BECAUSE HE IS OUR SUBSTITUTE.

He became one with us to be our substitute, because we cannot atone for our own sins. He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).

God “hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). In baptism we acknowledge that we cannot atone for our own sins. Unless we accept His sacrifice, we must bear our own sins. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

III. BECAUSE WE ARE DEAD IN SIN.

Baptism is a burial, and the man who is buried is dead. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). What is dead needs to be buried (John 11:39).

As the head of the church, He gave Himself for the church, for us. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18). Buried with Him, we put the old man of sin to death.

IV. BECAUSE WE RISE TO WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.

We have not suffered the true punishment of our sins. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). But Jesus Christ has suffered that punishment, and in our baptism we acknowledge and identify with Him in His suffering and death.

His death is our death to the old way of things. We know that God hates sin, because He was willing to see His only begotten son die for sins. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

We are buried so that we may be alive in Him. “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19). That means that our perspective changes. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3).

Every Christian should have the attitude of Paul: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Bible questions, Church

DOES GOD APPROVE OF DENOMINATIONALISM? — BOB PRICHARD

Anyone who observes our religious world notices that it is filled with multiplied denominations. Many see this as a good thing—that anyone can find a denomination that teaches what he wants it to teach, thus the slogan, “Go to the church of your choice.”

This was the attitude expressed by Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon in a sermon: “I bless God that there are so many denominations. If there were not men who differed a little in their creeds, we should never get as much gospel as we do. … God has sent different men to defend different kinds of truth.” Spurgeon’s Sermons, Vol. 2, 224. We might ask Mr. Spurgeon how there can be different kinds of truth. But on another occasion Mr. Spurgeon recognized the problem of denominations: “”Denominations! A plague upon denominationalism! There should be but one denomination: We should be denominated by the name of Christ, as a wife is named by her husband’s name. As long as the Church of Christ has to say, “My right arm is Episcopalian, and my left arm is Wesleyan, and my right foot is Baptist, and my left foot is Presbyterian or Congregational,” she is not ready for marriage. She will be ready when she has washed out these stains, when all her members have “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”—Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Messages of Hope and Faith, p. 308.

The question is not whether Spurgeon approves of denominations, but whether God approves. Did God plan for man to “Go to the church of man’s choice”? Does God approve of our divided religious world?

Are religious divisions inevitable? Are all of the denominations in agreement with the fundamentals of the faith? Is it arrogant for anyone to claim that they understand the Bible and that others are in error? Can we know the truth?

Consider these facts about denominationalism.

1. Denominationalism is prompted by a spirit of separation.

Denomination is defined as “the act of naming, a name, an appellation.” The only way the word church is used in the New Testament is in the local sense—one congregation, or in the aggregate—the whole church. Any denomination is always more than the local congregation and less than the whole church, so it is based on separation. This is despite the Lord’s prayer that all of His followers would be united. In the very shadow of the cross, Christ prayed for unity. “Neither pray I for these alone [the apostles], but for them also which shall believe on me through their word [all who claim to be Christians today]; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21). The separation of denominationalism is a great detriment to the world believing the message of Christ.

2. Denominationalism sanctions the way of man’s choice (instead of God’s choice).

Jeremiah lamented, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Wayward man thinks he is making the right choice, but is too often mistaken. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25). Remember, if it is up to man, he may pick the wrong church. The Lord will add a man to the right church, though. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:42b).

When the kingdom of Solomon divided into the two competing kingdoms of Israel and Judah, Jeroboam, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel, realized that he might lose the people if they returned to Jerusalem to the temple, so he offered alternative worship. “Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.” (1 Kings 12:28-30). This was equivalent of “Attend the church of your choice.”

3. Denominationalism is built on sincerity instead of truth.

Sincerity is important, but is it enough? “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). Paul was sincere, but sincerely wrong when he persecuted the church. “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). Most of the people whose conversion we read of in the book of Acts, such as Lydia (Acts 16), and the Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8), were very sincere in their beliefs. Why did they have to change? Would a sincere atheist need to change?

4. Denominationalism ignores God’s standard for unity.

Notice again the Lord’s prayer for unity. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:20-23).

Paul begged the Christians at Corinth to be united. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Can you imagine Peter and Paul being members of different churches? Some say, “We are all teaching from the same Bible, going to the same place.” But how can one denomination say baptism is immersion, another say that it is sprinkling, and another say that it is pouring? “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).

5. Denominationalism destroys faith in the church.

Some say it doesn’t matter which church, if any, you are a member of. “One church is as good as another,” they say. But can any man build a church as good as the church Jesus built? The church Christ built came at great cost. Paul urged the Elders of the church at Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

That church was established in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after Christ was raised from the dead. Acts 2 tells the full story of how Peter and the other apostles preached the first gospel sermon to the multitudes gathered there, in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy of the last days (Acts 2:14-21. Peter commanded, “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 2:38). “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47b).

You have the choice of being just a Christian. The appeal of the churches of Christ is to be a Christian, a member of the church of the New Testament, not a member of any denomination. If you obey the gospel just like they did in the book of Acts, worship like they did, and follow God’s commands as they did, you can be a member of the same church. The Lord does not want His followers to be divided among the denominations. He just wants us to be Christians, and Christians only. Why would you want to wear any other name religiously but that of Christian?

Christian Living

ONE SMALL LIFE — BOB PRICHARD

Andrew Allen was just seven years old when he passed from this life on October 22, 2022, after a brief fatal illness. The shock of his death continues to reverberate through his family, church and community in Pikeville, KY. 

Andrew and his family (parents Josh and April, and sisters Ella and Chloe) visited us this past Spring. We had a great time together visiting and seeing some of the sights, including the Vulcan statue that overlooks Birmingham. The fifty-six foot tall statue, constructed in 1903, depicts Vulcan, Roman god of fire and the forge. Andrew was amused, as only a seven year old boy can be, that Vulcan wears an apron, but no pants. Andrew chuckled the whole visit over Vulcan’s “backside.”

We ended the day with Josh leading a family Bible study, including hymns, scripture reading and prayer. Andrew surprised us that evening by quoting the twenty-third psalm flawlessly. Even at his young age, he was taking Bible study seriously.

Everyone who knew Andrew knew he had a sweet and kind spirit about him. When his elementary school friends drew pictures of him to take to April and Josh, the main thing they remembered was his smile, a boy who was a friend to everyone. Sometimes he had a big toothy grin, but most of the time it was a little straight smile that was his trademark since his birth. 

At his funeral, there was a beautiful display with the words, “A small life walked by leaving footprints on our hearts.” The hundreds of people who came to comfort the family and join in remembering Andrew demonstrated very clearly that his “small life” had an outsized impact on everyone he met. And if we had not been forced to step out of our routine by the tragic circumstances, we likely would not have realized this. 

Jesus emphasized that even the smallest things done in his name are noticed by the Master, and more importantly, they matter. “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me” (Matthew 25:35–36). “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). No matter how small we may be, we can make an impact.

As we sought comfort in Andrew’s death, our hearts immediately went to David’s grief at the death of his child, when he said, “now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). This was a common response, because it really does matter, and losses such as this bring home the fact that we must be prepared to live this life in such a way that we will have a grand reunion.

Having Andrew’s “footprints on our hearts” reminds us that everyone matters, even if they are not our loved one. Our Father notices everyone. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6–7). There are many among us that are not important in the eyes of the world, but they are important to our Father, and should be to us. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).

Grieving for Andrew has been hard. He was much loved. What do people who do not know the Lord do? How do they begin to cope? Paul encourages as he writes, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). He comforts us, and we comfort one another.

One small life, yet he blessed so many, often just with a smile. Will we be inspired to live better by this one small life?

Christian Living

“CHURCHILL DISSES AMERICA” — BOB PRICHARD

Few individuals contributed more to the allied victory over Hitler in World War II than Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain. He recognized the Nazi threat, and then the Soviet threat, when few others did. Many of his decisions were questioned, but ultimately he was vindicated in most of them. Andrew Roberts saw a different side of Churchill by examining the diaries of King George VI. He found that while Churchill was often publicly very supportive of Franklin Roosevelt and the Americans, he was very critical privately. He promoted Anglo-American unity because it served Britain’s interest, and allowed Britain to survive the war.

Roberts suggests two characteristics shown throughout Churchill’s political career: “The first was his capacity ruthlessly to sacrifice the trivial and the short-term for the greater prize. The second was his powerful sense of personal and national destiny” (Andrew Roberts, “Churchill Disses America,” Smithsonian, November 2018, 10-16).

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Wasn’t Jesus telling us that sacrificing the trivial and the short-term for the greater prize is what we should be all about as the servants of Christ. Paul certainly understood this. After he recounted all of the things that he could claim, things the world prizes, he turned his back on them.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ (Philippians 3:8-9).

He then went on to speak of the choice he had made:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

Not only must we seek the greater prize, we also should recognize we “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). First century Christians were accused of turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). It is our task to continue doing this. That is our “destiny” as a royal priesthood serving our Master.

Christian Living, Salvation

“SO FIGHT I” — BOB PRICHARD

Irish boxer Steven Donnelly defeated Mongolian boxer Tuvshinbat Byamba, in a split decision at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but lost at the same time. Lacking confidence before the match, Donnelly made a bet with a bookmaker that he would lose. So he won the match but lost his bet. Punishment from the International Olympic Committee was only a reprimand, because he was unaware of Olympic rules against sports betting and had “no intent to manipulate any event” (WORLD, October 29, 2016, p. 13).

Seems pretty dumb to bet against yourself, unless you are planning to lose. Why would anyone work at cross purposes to himself, betting against himself, and then trying to win the fight?

But before dismissing Steven Donnelly too quickly, we might ask ourselves why we also work at cross purposes to ourselves. The most important thing we could hope for our families is that every member would go to heaven. Yet Christians will neglect worship, roast the elders and preacher, and demonstrate that Christ and His church are surely not the most important thing in their lives, and then be surprised when their children have less faith than they have.

The lure of sin is so powerful that we must be constantly on guard to make sure that our lives are consistent with God’s will, and that we do not lose our priorities. Even Paul had to fight against the evil he found within.  

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:19-23). 

It was enough to make him want to give up: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Like Paul, we can rejoice:  “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25). With every sin, every missed opportunity to serve God, I am betting against myself. Paul says, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Christian Living, Salvation

COSTLY! — BOB PRICHARD

Travel, especially air travel gets very expensive very fast. Your airplane ticket pays for you, your luggage, and the plane itself to be flown through the air. Fortunately, today’s jets can carry the same size load the same distance as forty years ago on half the fuel, due to lighter hulls, more fuel-efficient engines, and improved aerodynamics. But even little things still matter. National Geographic, in 2015, said that a Boeing 737-800 carrying just one extra fifty pound suitcase on every flight would cost $3,627 more to operate over the course of a year. One extra fifteen pound carry-on would cost $980 for the year. Even one extra magazine, weighing just .7 pound would add $46 a year to the cost of operating the plane. And those are 2015 figures! No wonder it is so expensive to fly! (“Explore: Science,” National Geographic, April 2015).

Just living is costly today. Inflation, greater demand for products, and technological innovations contribute to increasing costs. Most things are more costly, as prices have inflated over the years. In my first job, I had to use a crammed-full shopping cart to carry twenty dollars worth of groceries. Today, I can carry twenty dollars worth of groceries in one hand, and the difference is not that I have gotten stronger!

The sacrificial system under the Mosaic law was costly. The animal to be sacrificed was not just any animal, but one that was valuable, perfect, without blemish. In the KJV Old Testament, the phrase “without blemish” is used thirty-eight times in relation to the sacrifice. The high cost helped God’s people to understand the enormity of sin.

Peter, in calling for us to be holy, as the Father is holy, tells us “ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). The precious blood of Christ was the most costly gift ever given to man, so much more costly than gold or silver. 

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (Romans 5:6-9).

The cost of living is high, but the cost of dying without benefit of the blood of Christ is much worse!

Christian Living

DISAPPOINTMENT OR REST? — BOB PRICHARD

A popular old hymn stresses our longing for our heavenly rest, but also our commitment to keep working until Jesus comes. It begins, “O land of rest, for thee I sigh! When will the moment come, When I shall lay my armor by, And dwell in peace at home?” The refrain repeats “We’ll work till Jesus comes, We’ll work till Jesus comes, We’ll work till Jesus comes, And we’ll be gathered home.” The words, by Elizabeth K. Mills, who died at 24 or 25, were first published in 1837. The tune, attributed to William Miller, was added in 1859.

I have been unable to verify if this is the same William Miller who twice set a date for the return of the Lord, but if it is the same man, it is ironic. William Miller (1742-1849), was a Baptist preacher who through his study of the book of Daniel determined that the return of the Lord was very near, and he traveled throughout the United States preaching a message of the need to be prepared for the Lord’s return. As his followers, known as Millerites, pressed him for a date, he announced in January 1843, that the date would be March 21, 1844. When that date passed, he and his followers recalculated, and set the date for October 22, 1844.

Despite the words of the hymn, many of Miller’s followers did not “work till Jesus comes.” They left farms untended, debts unpaid and took it easy. When the second date failed, these people were very upset with Miller, and he died disillusioned and forgotten in 1849, still thinking the Lord would return in his lifetime. Some of his followers pressed on, organizing the Seventh Day Adventist church. In their history they refer to the Miller failure as the “Great Disappointment.”

The hymn is consistent with the warnings of the Lord. He likened the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom to come. Five were wise, but five were foolish, and “took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” All were in the same situation waiting for the bridegroom, but the foolish were not ready to serve when the cry came, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” They all arose, but the foolish were unprepared, and missed their chance. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:1-13).

Disappointment awaits those who are not working until Jesus comes. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13).

15 - First Timothy, Christian Living, Salvation

“REFINANCING THE PAST” — BOB PRICHARD

I enjoy the comics, not only because they allow me to have a chuckle in the midst of an evil and frightening world, but because they often suggest profound thoughts. A “Frank and Ernest” cartoon (9/8/2017) has Ernest speaking to Frank as a loan officer, telling him, “In order to invest in my future, I need to refinance my past.”

It is often prudent to refinance a loan, getting a better interest rate or a more affordable payment. There is usually a cost, but that cost is offset by future savings (if the borrower is acting wisely).

Your future is affected by your past, not only in terms of finances, but in terms of how your life has been invested. Whether you have used your time wisely, been diligent in pursuing an education, or lived above the norms of the world have a tremendous impact. Mistakes of the past, even long past, have a tendency to hurt us when we least expect it, like the “Marlboro Man” who quit many years ago but then faced cancer, or the crisis we face today because we did not plan for the “rainy day.”

When it comes to spiritual matters, even the best of us need to have our past refinanced so that we can have a future. From the time Adam and Eve chose to rebel against God, each of us has followed the same path. “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And that sin has a significant cost: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). In fact, the cost was so high, that the only remedy for this great sin debt was “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19).

In the financial world, it is possible to dig such a serious hole of debt that no refinancing is possible. All that is left is to declare bankruptcy. That is where we find ourselves concerning our sins. We are bankrupt without Christ. Paul acknowledged his bankrupt state: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” But Christ saved him, and gave him a future. “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1:15-16). We have followed Paul’s pattern in sin, and we can follow his pattern in obeying the Lord to receive his gracious promise for our future!