Truth Magazine - Back To Basics to Basics... · 2010. 10. 3. · 2 Back To Basics - January 2008...

A Monthly Journal Dedicated To Teaching First Principles

Volume 6

Number 1JANUARY 2008Back To Basics

New Year’s resolutioNs

Withthecomingofanewyearcomesthosenewyear’sresolutions!Manyaremadeonlysoontobebroken.Thistimeofyeardoesserveagoodpurposeofconsideringsomespiri-tualresolutionswhichwouldbegoodforallofustomakeandkeep.

• No LoNger To LiNger.Thesong,I Am Resolvedservesasareminderofsomegoodresolutions.IfyouhavenotbecomeaChris-tian,itisagoodtimetoresolvetobecomeoneandquit lingering. Don’tbecharmedby theworld’sdelight.Beawaretherearethingsthatarenobler.Soagoodquestionis:“WhatwaitIfor?”(Ps.39:7).

•To go To The Saviour. AllofuswoulddowelltogototheLordatthistimeoftheyearaswellasrestoftheyear.OnereasonforgoingtoHimisbecauseHe“hasthewordsof eternal life...” (Jn. 6:68). As one goes toChrist,heleaveshissinsastheyareremittedatbaptism(Acts2:38).AsJesusisthe“saviourofthebody,thechurch...”(Eph.5:23;Col.1:24);youwillbe“addedtothechurch”(Acts2:47).

•To FoLLow JeSuS. SinceJesusisthelivingway,weareinstructedtofollowHim.Pe-terdeclared,“Forevenhereuntowereyecalled:becauseChristalsosufferedforus,leavingus

Johnie Edwards

anexample,thatyeshouldfollowhissteps”(1Pet.2:21).

• To eNTer The KiNgdom.Thereisnogreaterresolutionthanthatofbeingacitizenin the kingdom of God. The kingdom oftenhasreferencetotheLord’schurch(Mt.16:18-19).Weenterthekingdombybeing“bornofwaterandoftheSpirit”(Jn.3:3-5).Thistakesplacewhenoneis“baptizedintoChrist”(Gal.3:27).

• To Be more FaiThFuL.TheLord’speople aredescribedas “stewards,” and theymust“befoundfaithful”(1Cor.4:1).Alotofchurchmemberschoosenottobecountedfaith-ful.IfweexpecttheLordtosay,“Welldone,”wemust“befaithful”(Mt.25:21).Doyouneedtomakearesolutiononthiscount?

•To Be The BeST exampLe.Thereisagreatdemandforsomegoodexampleset-ting!Fellowworkersneedit,ourchildrenneedit, and other church members need it. Afterall,wemust“shineaslightsintheworld”(Mt.5:14-16;Phil.2:15).Mayeachofusplantobethebestexampleasfolks“readourepistle”(2Cor.3:2).

Don’tforgettokeepyourresolutions!

Back To Basics - January 20082

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Back To Basics

“He tHat goetH fortH and weepetH, bearing precious seed, sHall doubtless come again witH rejoicing, bringing His sHeaves witH Him.”

the sower’s seed

Introduction1. 1Peter3:20-212. Noah’ssalvationwasatypeofoursalvation. Thislessoncomparesthetwosalvations.

DiscussionI. Noah waS Saved By The grace oF god

A.Genesis6:8 B.WearesavedbyGod’sgrace(Eph.2:8). C.Noahwasnotsavedbygracealone.Neither arewe!

II. Noah waS Saved By FaiTh

A.Hebrews11:7 B.Wearesavedbyfaith(Jn.3:16;8:24;Rom. 5:1;Heb.11:6). C.Notsavedbyfaithonly(Jas.2:24).

III. Noah waS Saved By oBedieNce

A.Hebrews11:7 B.Genesis6:22;7:5 C.Wearesavedbyobedience(Mt.7:21;Lk. 6:46;Heb.5:9).

IV. Noah waS Saved By waTer

A.1Peter3:20 B.Water buoyed up the ark and kept it afloat (Gen.7:17). C.Wearesavedbybaptism(Mk.16:16;Acts 2:38;22:16;1Pet.3:21).

V. Noah waS Saved iN The arK

A.Salvationwasplacedintheark(Gen.7:1, 7,9,13,15-16,23;1Pet.3:20). B.Today,salvationisinChrist(2Tim.2:10) andthesavedareinthechurch(Acts2:47; Eph.5:23). C.BaptismputsusintoChrist(Gal.3:27)and thechurch(1Cor.12:13). D.Justasallthoseoutsidethearkperished,all thoseoutsideChristandHischurchwill beforeverlost.

Conclusion1. Noahwassavedbygrace,faith,obedience, water,andintheark.2. Wearesavedbygrace,faith,obedience,bap- tism,andinChristandthechurch.3. WeinviteyoutobesavedlikeNoah.

Basic Sermon Starters

Saved LiKe Noah

i’m divorced—what are mY optioNs?John Isaac Edwards


New Year’s ResolutionsJohnieEdwards......................................................1The Sower’s SeedSavedLikeNoah...................................................2I’m Divorced—What Are My Options?JohnIsaacEdwards................................................3Lose Weight In 2008MelbaEdwards.......................................................4In Few Words.......................................................5The Patriarchs: Jacob #3Carl Peterson........................................................6The Patriarchs: Jacob #4ShaneWilliams.......................................................7The Genealogy Of Esau; Judah And TamarJohnGentry............................................................8The Patriarchs: Joseph #1KeithWelch............................................................9May Secular Institutions Furnish Occasion For Bible Teaching?JohnIsaacEdwards..............................................10A Union Of God’s People On That One Book“Raccoon”JohnSmith..........................................12Kids Activity PageAleishaEdwards..................................................14What Faith IsDonnieV.Rader....................................................15

3

It is notuncommon for thisquestion tobeaskedasdivorceiscommonthesedays—abouthalfofmarriagesendindivorce,wearetold.Onehastosethisemotionsaside,lettheLordanswerthequestion,throughacarefulandprayerfulread-ing of His word, and be satisfied with His answer, whateveritis.

•The ruLe: No divorce.WemustrealizethatGod’sruleis,Nodivorce!Godhatesdivorce(Mal.2:14).God’smarriagelaw,inthebeginning,madenoprovisionfordivorce(Gen.2:18-24).Je-sussaid,“WhatthereforeGodhathjoinedtogether,letnotmanputasunder”(Mt.19:6).“...fromthebeginningit[divorce]wasnotso”(Mt.19:8).

•oNe excepTioN: ForNicaTioN.TheLordgaveonlyoneexceptiontotheno-divorcerule,whenHesaid,“savingforthecauseoffornication”(Mt.5:32)and“exceptitbeforfornication”(Mt.19:9).

•iF you did The puTTiNg away.Ifthemar-riagewasScripturaltostartwith,andyoudivorcedyourspouseforsomereasonotherthanfornication,thenyouhaveanunscripturaldivorce.YouneedtorepentofputtingasunderwhatGodjoinedtogetherand“bereconciled”toyourspouse(1Cor.7:11).Ifreconciliationisnotpossible,thenyouhavenochoicebutto“remainunmarried”(1Cor.7:11).Ifyouputawayyourspouseforthesinoffornication,then,accordingtoMatthew5:32and19:9,youhavetherighttoeitherremainunmarriedormarryan-other,providedyoumarryonewhohasaScripturalrighttomarry:oneneverbeforemarried(1Cor.7:1-2),onewhosespousehasdied(Rom.7:2-3),oronewhoputawayafornicatingmate(Mt.19:9).

• iF you were puT away. If youwereputawaybyyourspouse,thenyoucannotmarryanother.Jesusnevergavetheputawaypersonthe

righttomarry.Ifso,whereisthepassage?Jesustaught,“...andwhosoevershallmarryher that isdivorcedcommittethadultery”(Mt.5:32;19:9).

Marriageisalife-longcontractandweneedtothinkveryseriouslybeforeenteringit.“Forthewoman which hath an husband is bound by thelawtoherhusbandsolongasheliveth;butifthehusbandbedead,sheisloosedfromthelawofherhusband.Sothenif,whileherhusbandliveth,shebemarriedtoanotherman,sheshallbecalledanadulteress:butifherhusbandbedead,sheisfreefromthatlaw;sothatsheisnoadulteress,thoughshebemarriedtoanotherman”(Rom.7:2-3).


lose weight iN 2008Melba Edwards

“W

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Th

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(T

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:3)

A topNewYear’sResolutionformany is losing weight. This article is notaboutgluttony,butfocusesonHebrews12:1-2,“Whereforeseeingwealsoarecompassedaboutwithsogreatacloudofwitnesses,letuslayasideeveryweight,andthesinwhichdothsoeasilybesetus,andletusrunwithpatiencetheracethatissetbeforeus...”

•why LoSe weighT? Losingweightspirituallywill causemy innerbeing tobehealthier.Inthetextabove,weightisabur-den,bulk,mass,orbulging.Wearetoldtolayitaside,andthesinwhichdothsoeasilybesetus.Easilyisanadverbmeaningwithlittle effort. It’s easy to keep this weight.Beset meansstandingwellaround,oritisineverydirection.Sinencompassesus.Itiseverywhere.Thisweightisinmywayofbe-ingeverythingIcanfortheLord.ImustlayeveryweightorburdenthathindersmefromtheLord’swork.Excessweightcausesmetolosemyfocus.Losingweighttakesmucheffort.ButwhenIseethatothershavelaidasideeveryweight,asinthepreviouschapter,IknowIcanloseweighttoo.

• how do i LoSe weighT? First,Imusthaveadeterminationtoloseweight.Lay means to put away. I must put awaythisburdenofsin.Second,Imustrunwithpatience.IcanrunbecauseIdon’thavethismassorburdenslowingmedown.Patience isenduranceandcontinuance.Third,Imustkeepfocused.Imustkeepmyeyesonthegoalofheavenandnotletanythingdistractme.IcanloseweightasIlookuntoJesuswho endured the cross. The things Christ

enduredformehelpsmetolayasideeveryweight that so easily besets me. BecauseJesus is the chief leader and completer ofourfaithshouldhelpmotivateustolayasideeveryweightandsin.Fourth,Ineedtoexer-cise.Hebrews5:14reads,“Butstrongmeatbelongethtothemthatareoffullage,eventhosewhobyreasonofusehavetheirsensesexercised to discern both good and evil.”Perhaps,partoftheprobleminlosingweightisthatwehaven’ttrainedoursensestodis-cernbothgoodandevil.Fifth,losingweighttakesdisciplineandself-control.Paulwrotein1Corinthians9:27,“ButIkeepundermybody,andbringitintosubjection:lestthatbyanymeans,whenIhavepreachedtoothers,Imyselfshouldbeacastaway.”TemperanceisthefruitoftheSpirit(Gal.5:23)anditistobeaddedtoourfaith(2Pet.1:6).Sixth,Imusthavetheproperdiet.Itisimportanttohaveawell-balanceddiet,feedingonthemilkandmeatofGod’sword(Heb.5:12;1Pet.2:2).

•whaT are The reSuLTS iF i LoSe weighT?Icanhaveheavenasmyeternalhome. Losing weight is a fight. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforththereislaidupformeacrownofrighteousness,whichtheLord,therighteousjudge,shallgivemeatthatday:andnottomeonly,butuntoallthemalsothatlovehisappearing.”

Let’sgetbusyifwearen’talreadyandloseweight.Don’tletexcessweightdragyoudownandkeepyoufromgoingtoheaven.

Back To Basics - January 2008 5

SpaTiaL SeparaTioN

If separation alone is divorce, then everytime there is space between a husband and wifetheywouldbedivorced.Theword“spatial”simplymeans, “involving space.” The lawsof the landallowfora“legalseparationasanalternativetodi-vorceforpeoplewhocan’tcontinuetolivetogetherbutdonotwanttoendtheirmarriage.”

iF There iS more ThaN oNe

Ifthereismorethanonereasonfordivorce,whatarethereasonsandwhereisthepassageofScripturethatsoteaches?

iS iT LawFuL? Isitlawfulto“putasunderwhatGodjoinstogether”(Mt.19:6)?Ifso,whatScripturemakesitlawful?

SmoKeScreeN

WhenitispointedoutthatJesusgaveonereasonfordivorce—fornication(Mt.5:32;19:9),theabusedwoman,whoisabouttobetiedtoachair,gasoline poured on her, and set on fire, is brought up.Itwouldbegoodtohavethenameofthepersonwhosayssuchawomancannotcreatesomespacebetweenherandsuchaman.DealingwithScripturewouldbebetterthanbringingupifsituations!

LegaL SeparaTioN

Legalseparationisanalternativetodivorceforpeoplewhocan’tcontinuetolivetogether,butdo not want to end their marriage. Most statesrecognizelegaldocumentationofseparation.

where iS iT TaughT? MostChristiansunderstandthattheBibleteachesathingbyadirectcommand,apostolicex-ample,andnecessaryinference.AgoodquestionforthosewhoteachthatonemaydivorceScripturallyforjustanyreason:Whichoneofthesethreeways

issuchtaught?Whereisthecommand,example,ornecessaryinferencethatsoindicates?

which doeS iT Say? Often1Corinthians7:10-13isusedtoteachthatonemaydivorceforotherreasonsthanMatthew5:32and19:9afford. Thispassageisnotgivingpermissiontodivorce,butratherforbidsdivorce!Whichdoes it say: divorceor“Letnot thewifedepart fromherhusband” (1Cor.7:10); “letnotthehusbandputawayhiswife”(1Cor.7:11);“lethimnotputheraway”(1Cor.7:13)?Whichdoesitsay?Thispassageinformswhatistobedoneifdivorceoccurs.Foranexample,IfIweretosay,“Ifyou set my house on fire, call the fire department.” Iamnot tellingyouorgivingyoupermission toburnmyhouse—Iammerelytellingyouwhattodoincasesuchhappens!

doeS waTer Save? GodhasusedwatertostandbetweenmanandcertainblessingshestoodinneedofsincethebookofGenesis. •Noah waS Saved By waTer.Peterwrote,“...whereinfew,thatis,eightsoulsweresavedbywater”(1Pet.3:20).HowdidGodusewatertosaveNoah?TheBibleisitsbestinterpreter!Mosescan give us the answer. “And the flood was forty daysupontheearth;andthewatersincreased,andbareuptheark,anditwasliftupabovetheearth”(Gen. 7:17). Water kept the ark afloat; thus saved Noahandhisfamilyfromdrowning. •BapTiSmaL waTerS.Godchosewaterastheelementformantobeimmersedintobesaved(Acts 8:36-39). Peter affirmed, “The like figure whereuntoevenbaptismdothalsonowsaveus...”(1Pet.3:21).Pleasenotethatwearenotsavedbywater,butbybaptism. Wearenotsavedbywater,nomorethanNamaanwascleansedbywater(2Ki.5).Itistheactofobediencethatsaves!

In Few Words


Thru-the-Bible

Aftersometwentyyearsofservice,JacobleftLabanwithhisfamilyandallhispossessionstoreturnhome.Headinghome,however,becamemorethanjustasimpletripfrompointAtoB.

• JacoB’S Fear oF eSau. Mankind hasanobsessionwiththe“worst-casescenario.”Wehavesayingstestifyingtothisobsession(consid-erMurphy’sLaw),ourgovernmentplansfortheworsthappening,andpeoplegetnervouswhenitdoesn’t happen. Jacob faced a “worst-case sce-nario.”AftersometwentyyearsofservicetoLa-ban,JacobreturnedtoCanaan,andsentmessen-gerstotellEsauofhisreturn(Gen.32:3).WhenthereportcamethatEsauwascomingtomeethimwith 400 men, Jacob’s mind went to the worst-casescenario:Esauwascomingforrevenge(Gen.32:6-7).HowdidJacobhandlethissituation?Heprayed to God for deliverance (Gen. 32:9-12).Whilehedid takecertainprecautions inprepar-ingtomeetEsau(suchasdividingthepeoplewithhimandhispossessionsandpreparingagift forEsau,Gen.32:7,13),hemadeapointtoaskGod,who had told him to leave Laban in the first place, todeliverhim.JacobhadgreatfaithintheLord,but thatfaith ledhimto takeprecautionsforhisworst-case scenario, not to go into the situationexpectingGodtodoeverythingforhim.

•JacoB’S giFT.Theaccountrecordsthegift Jacob sent to Esau as a “peace offering.”More than 500 animals—a sizeable amount oflivestock—weresenttoEsau.Wedon’tknowex-actly how large Jacob’s flock was. Whatever its

size,thiswasnotjustatokenamount.Weoftenputtheminimumeffortpossibleintoresolvingaconflict or avoiding one. Jacob didn’t see how littlehecouldsendtoEsautomakethingswork.HehadasinceredesiretoquellanyresentmentonthepartofEsau.Perhaps,ifwetookthetimeandexpended the effort to resolve conflicts properly, ourrelationshipswithourbrethrenandfellowmanwouldbebetter.

• JacoB’S STruggLe. Before meetinghisbrother,hewasmetbysomeonedescribedinGenesis32:24asa“man.” However, it is clearthatthisindividualwasfromGod.AsaresultofJacob’swrestlingwith thisperson,he isgivenanewname.Insteadofbeing“thesupplanter,”heisonewhohas“strivenwithGod”—Israel(Gen.32:28).Thus,Jacob’sdescendantsarenotcalledtheJacobeans,butthe Israelites.

•JacoB’S reuNioN wiTh eSau.AfterallJacob’s worry, even strategically arranging hiswivesandchildren,theactualmeetingwithEsauis anti-climatic. The reunion was tearful, withbothbrothersweeping.Esauinquiresofthepeo-pletravelingwithJacobandtriestorefuseJacob’sgift,ashetoohasabundance.Goddoestrulyan-swerprayer.WedonotknowhowmuchGodin-fluenced Esau in this situation, but Jacob’s prayer for deliverance was answered in the affirmative bytheLord.

InJacob,wehaveseenthetransformationofamanwhoatonetimeuseddeceitandtrickerytoachievehisends.HehasbecomeatruemanofGod,onewhotruststheLordtotakecareofhim,butdoesnotstandbyidlyandexpectGodtoblesshimwithouteffortonHispart.WewoulddowelltoheedJacob’sexample.

LouiSviLLe, [email protected]

the patriarchs: Jacob #3JacoB aNd eSau meeT

GENESIS32:1-33:17

Carl Peterson


Abraham had first come to the city of ShechemwhenGodtoldhimto“goforth”fromhis country (Gen. 12:6). In our text of study,JacobnowcomestoShechemandcampsbeforethecity(Gen.33:19).Hebuysapieceoflandthere,buildsanaltar,andcallsitEl-Elohe-Israel(God,theGodofIsrael).

• “Such a ThiNg oughT NoT To Be doNe.” Shechem(thesonofHamortheprince)takesDinah(JacobandLeah’sdaughter)andlieswithherbyforce(Gen.34:2).ThetexttellsusthatShechemisdeeplyattractedtoDinah.Helovesherandspeakstenderlytoher.Shechemgoestohisfatherandsays,“Getmethisyounggirl for a wife.” It seems that Shechem, likemanypeopletoday,putthecartbeforethehorse.There should have been tender speaking, loveand then marriage, before he had sexual rela-tionswithDinah.Yet,hedoesitallbackwards.Howmanytodayrepeatthesamepattern?TheBibletellsusthatDinah’sbrotherswereangrybecauseShechemhadcommittedadisgracefulact. Suchathingoughtnot tobedone!(Gen.34:7;Eph.5:3-5).

•iNTermarriage.HamorcametoJacobandhissonswithaproposaltointermarrywiththeirpeople,liveandtradeintheirland,andac-quireproperty.HetoldJacobtoaskwhateverhewantedandhewouldpayitasabridalpaymentforDinahandShechem’swedding!Rememberwhat Jacob’s parents had said to him? “You

shallnottakeawifefromthedaughtersofCa-naan” (Gen.28:1). RememberwhatAbrahamtold the servant in charge of getting Isaac hiswife?“Iwillmakeyouswear…thatyoushallnot takeawifeformysonfromthedaughtersof theCanaanites…”(Gen.24:3). ThosewithGod’spurposeinmindunderstandthatmarriagewith the godless and idolatrous is not in theirbest interest. Esaustands incontrast to JacobinhisdecisiontomarryamongtheCanaanites(Gen.26:34-35).

•deceiT oF JacoB’S SoNS.ThesonsofJacobtellHamarandShechemthattheirsistercannotmarrysomeoneuncircumcised. There-fore,theyinsistthateverymaleinthecitybe-comecircumcised. ThisseemedreasonabletoHamar and Shechem, but Jacob’s sons werespeaking with deceit (Gen. 34:13). The menagreetobecircumcisedbutonthe3rdday,whentheywereinpain,SimeonandLevicameinandkilledeverymaleinthecity.TheynotonlytookbackDinah,butalsolootedtheentirecity.Ja-cobwasupsetatthemforbringingtroubleuponthefamilyandwasfearfuloftheretaliation.

•a move To BeTheL aNd god’S BLeSS-iNgS. GodinstructsJacobtogotoBethelandbuildanaltar(Gen.35:1).Jacobtellshishouse-holdtoputawaytheiridols,purifythemselves,andarisetogotoBethel.JacobcomestoBeth-elandbuildsanaltar,whichhecallsEl-Bethel(theGodofBethel).ThiswastheplacewhereJacobhadpreviouslymadeavowtoGod(Gen.28:19-22). God appears to Jacob andblesseshim.HetellshimthatIsraelwouldnowbehisname.Godrepeatsthenationandlandprom-ises to Jacob, just asHehad toAbrahamandIsaac.

KewaNee, [email protected]

the patriarchs: Jacob #4The meN oF Shechem

JacoB reTurNS To BeTheLGENESIS33:18-35:29

shane Williams


Esau,likeIshmael,thoughnotthesonofpromise,alsogaverisetoalargenation.Hisgene-alogyisgiveninGenesis36.

•The deSceNdaNTS oF eSau. Esau tookCanaanitewives(Gen.26:34;28:9)andhadchil-dren.Healsoacquiredasubstantialamountofpos-sessionsandlivestock;somuchsothathecouldnolongerdwellnearJacob(Gen.13:5-18).HesettledintheareaofMt.Seir,southoftheDeadSea.De-scendantsofSeirtheHoritealsolivedinthisarea(Gen. 36:20-30). Esau’s descendants developedinto the kingdom of Edom. Several of the earlykings are mentioned in Genesis 36:31-39. For asimilar discussion of Esau’s descendants, see 1Chronicles1:34-54.

•Judah’S FamiLy. WenowmovetoGen-esis38,whereweareintroducedtoJudah’sfamily.JudahmovedtoAdullamah(about14milessouth-westofBethelem)andmarriedaCanaanitewoman(Gen.38:1-2).Sheborethreesons:Er,Onan,andShelah(Gen.38:3-5).

•Tamar TaKeN For a wiFe. JudahtookTamarasawifeforhiseldestson,Er(Gen.38:6).TheLordkilledErbecausehewaswicked(Gen.38:7).AccordingtothecustomorlawofLeviratemarriage (Dt. 25:5-10; Ruth 3-4; Mt. 22:23-33),Onanwas then told tomarryTamar inorder thattheir firstborn son might be a son, descendant, and heir of Er (Gen. 38:8). However, Onan did notobey this law,andbecauseofhiswickedness the

Lordalsokilledhim(Gen.38:9-10). Thoughwearenotgivenmuchdetailconcerningthewicked-nessofErandOnan(thereisnodetaildiscussingEr’swickedness),thesefewversesprovidepower-fulillustrationandinsightintohowtheLordviewswickedness.TheLordhateswickedness(Job27:4;Ps.58:2;Prov.10:27;11:5;Mk.7:20-23;Rev.2:6,15). Judah was hesitant to have Shelah fulfill the Leviratemarriagelaw,thinkinghemightwindupdeadaswell. He toldTamar to remainawidowuntilShelahwasolder(Gen.38:11).

• Judah aNd Tamar. Judah’s wife died(Gen.38:12). Aftermourning, Judahwentup tocheckonhissheepwhiletheywerebeingsheared.TamarheardhewastravellingandbeingupsetthathehadnotkepthispromiseregardingShelah,shedecidedtoteachhimalesson.Shedisguisedher-selfasaprostituteandwentaheadofJudah. Hesawherand,notknowingitwasTamar,askedtofornicatewithher.Sheaskedhimwhathewouldpay.Hesaidagoat.Untilhecouldsendthegoat,sheaskedforapledgeofhissignet,cord,andstaff.Heagreedandtheyfornicated.Tamarconceived.ItwaslatermadeknowntoJudahthatTamarwaspregnant.Notknowinghewasthefather,hecom-mandedthatshebeburned.Shebroughtforththesignet,cord,andstaffandsaidtheseitemsbelongedtothefather.Judahimmediatelyrecognizedhissin(Gen.38:12-26).

•perez aNd chriST. Tamargavebirthtotwins, Zerah and Perez (Gen. 38:27-30). It wasthroughPerezthatthebloodlineofChristwascon-tinued(Mt.1:3;Lk.3:33).

greeNviLLe, [email protected]

The geNeaLogy oF eSau

Judah aNd TamarGENESIS36&38

John Gentry

Thru-the-Bible

SuBScriBe For a FrieNd!


Joseph,thesonofthepatriarchJacob,atageseventeenwasseenfavorablyinhisfather’seyes. Joseph’s brothers despised his good for-tune and “they hated him and could not speakpeaceablytohim”(Gen.37:1-4).

• JoSeph dreamS. Joseph dreams ofgreatnessandrevealstwodreamsuntohisfam-ily.TohisbrothersJosephreveals,“For,behold,we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, mysheafarose,andalsostoodupright;and,be-hold,yoursheavesstoodroundabout,andmadeobeisance to my sheaf” (Gen. 37:7). Then, tohis father and brothers, Joseph spoke anotherdream, “behold, the sun and the moon and theelevenstarsmadeobeisancetome”(Gen.37:9).Joseph’sbrothersenviedhimbecauseofhisgoodfortuneandthepossibilityofhimrisingupoverthem. In the NewTestament, the apostle Paulwrote concerning the “works of the flesh.” Envy is included in that list of evilworks. Of thosethingsPaulsaid,“theywhichdosuchthingsshallnotinheritthekingdomofGod”(Gal.5:21).

•JoSeph iS SoLd. In Dothan, Joseph finds his brothers feeding their flocks. He was sent byhisfather tosee ifall thingswerewellwiththem and the flocks. Upon seeing Joseph, his brothers conspired tokill him. However,Reu-benconvincedthemnottokillJoseph,butrathercasthimintoapit(Gen.37:21-22).ReubenhadplannedtocomebacklaterandreturnJosephtotheirfather. ThatplanwashaltedinthatJudah

convincedhisbrotherstosellJosephto“acom-pany of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead…ontheirway…down toEgypt” (Gen.37:25). Pri-or to casting Joseph in thepit and sellinghim,hisbrothersstrippedJosephofhiscoatofmanycolors. Inorder tocoverup their sin, Joseph’sbrotherstookthetunic,dippeditingoatblood,andreturnedittotheirfather.Jacobwasledtobelievehisson,Joseph,wasdevouredbyawildbeastandJacobwept(Gen.37:31-33).

•JoSeph BecomeS a SLave.“Josephwasbrought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an offi-cer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyp-tian,boughthimofthehandsoftheIshmeelites”(Gen.39:1).Joseph’ssituationseemssounfair,forwhathashedonetodeservesuchtreatment?However,Joseph’sattitude isone tobeconsid-ered in finding triumph in trials. While enslaved toPotiphar,Josephfoundfavor inhissightbe-cause“theLordwaswith Joseph” (Gen.39:2).Potipharquicklyrecognized“that theLordwaswithhim,andthattheLordmadeallthathedidtoprosperinhishand”(Gen.39:3).Asaresult,JosephbecameoverseerofPotiphar’shouseandallthathehad.Josephfacedsexualtemptationwhen Potiphar’s wife asked Joseph to lie withher(Gen.39:7).MenandwomenalikewoulddowelltofollowJoseph’sactionswhenfacedwithsexual temptation. Joseph first recognized that itwaswrongforhimtoliewithher(Gen.39:9).Second, he fled and ran outside (Gen. 39:12). Joseph is an example of the instructions foundin James4:7. Despite taking the right actions,JosephwasplacedinprisonbecausePotiphar’swife lied about him. “But the Lord was withJoseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave himfavour in thesightof thekeeperof theprison”(Gen.39:21).

hoBarT, [email protected]

the patriarchs: Joseph #1JoSeph dreamS, he iS SoLd,

aNd BecomeS a SLaveGENESIS37&39

Keith WelCh


TherightofasecularinstitutiontofurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBiblewasdisputedamongbrethreninthelate1800’sandearly1900’s.Ithasrisenagainwithanewgeneration.

•The iSSue iS NoT. Whetherthechurchisthepillarandgroundofthetruth—itis(1Tim.3:15); whether the church is sufficient to do the workGodassignedhertodo—itis(Eph.4:11-16).Theissueis:Mayinstitutions,separateandapartfromthechurch,furnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible,ormayonlythechurchprovidesuch?

• aLL, Some, or NoNe. Iknowofonlythreeanswersthatcanbegiventothequestionbeforeus: Either(1)allsecularinstitutionsmayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible;(2)somesecularinstitutionsmayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible;or(3)nosecularinstitutionmayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible.

•iF Some. Ifsomesecularinstitutionsmayfurnish an occasion for folks to be taught in theBible,thequestionis:why may some, but not oth-ers? Whyisitwrongforsome,butrightforothers?WhatisthecriteriafordeterminingwhichsecularinstitutionsmayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBibleandwhichmaynot?Thesameprinciplesthatmakeitrightforonewouldmakeitrightforall,andwhatmakesitwrongforonewouldmakeitwrongforall.Theyeitherstandorfallto-gether!Tobeconsistent,onemusteithersaythatallsecularinstitutionsmayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBibleornosecularinstitu-tionmayfurnishsuchanoccasion.

• iF NoNe. IfyouanswerthatnosecularinstitutionmayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible,thenyoumustacceptthecon-sequencesandadmitallthefollowingarewrongorgiveupyourposition.Inpresentingthisargument,IfollowtheexampleofPaulwhoshowedtheimplica-tionsandconsequencesofcertainpositions(Rom.2:17-23;1Cor.15:12-23). 1) Newspapers. In the Salem Democrat (Salem,IN)andtheEllettsville Journal(Ellettsville,IN),Ihavewrittenweeklycolumnsunderthehead-ing,What Saith the Scripture? These are secularinstitutionsprovidingoccasionsfortheBibletobetaught.AmIsinningbysodoing? 2)Radio.I’vepreachedthegospelthroughradioeversinceIbegangospelwork.TheseradiostationsaresecularinstitutionsprovidingoccasionsforBibleteaching.Isthisrightorwrong,andwhatmakesitso? 3)Television.BecauseofcontroversyoverBibleteachinginthelocalnewspaper,IwasinvitedtoappearonlocaltelevisiontobeinterviewedandoccasionwasgivenformetopointoutwhattheBibleteaches.WasIwronginacceptingtheinvitation?IfnosecularinstitutionmayfurnishoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible,Iwas. 4)Magazines and journals.Ihavehadre-ligiousarticlestoappearinmagazinesandjournalspublished by secular institutions which providedoccasionfortheBibletobetaught.Shouldthisbestopped? 5) Internet. Some internet sites allowingspaceforBibleteaching,ownedandmaintainedbysecularinstitutions,havegivenoccasionformetoputforthBibleteaching.AmIwrongtosubmitsuch? 6)Prisons. IhavehadopportunitytotalkwithinmatesabouttheBibleandpreachthegospel

maY secular iNstitutioNs

FurNish occasioN For bible teachiNg?John Isaac Edwards


in prisons as correctional facilities have providedoccasionforBibleteaching.Sincethechurchisnotprovidingtheoccasion,shouldInotgo? 7)Hospitals.ManyhospitalshaveachapelandprovideoccasionfortheBibletobetaught.Isitpermissibletospeakthere? 8)Nursing homes.IhavetaughttheBibleinnumerousnursinghomesastheyhaveprovidedanoccasionfortheirresidentstohearBibleteaching.Anursinghomeisasecularinstitution.Shouldwediscontinueournursinghomeservice? 9)Funeral homes. HowmanypreachershavetaughttheBibleatafuneralhomeandevenreceivedpaymentfromthefuneralhomeforsuch?AfuneralhomefurnishesoccasionsforfolkstobetaughtintheBible.IsitwrongforapreachertoteachtheBibleatafuneralhomeservice,sincethechurchisnotprovidingtheoccasion?IsitwrongforamemberofthechurchtoattendsuchafuneralandheartheBibletaught?Somebrethrenwillsayit isacceptablewithGod topurchasespace inanewspaperoronaradio;itwouldbewrong,how-ever,fortheradiostationornewspapertodonatespacetoyou.TheymusthaveasharperrazorthanIdoasIcan’tsplithairsthatthin!Iwonderifthosewhosoarguepaytospeakatthefuneralhome? 10)Schools and universities. ManyschoolsincludetheBibleintheircurriculum.IfnosecularinstitutionmayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible,thennoChristiancouldattendsuchaschool,right?ArehomeschoolersinerrorbyenrollingtheirstudentsininstitutionsthatincludetheBibleintheircurriculum? 11)Businesses.IfitistruethatnosecularinstitutionmayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible,thenyoucouldnotinvitemetospeakatyourplaceofbusinessabouttheBibleforasecularinstitutionwouldbeprovidingoccasionforBibleteaching. 12) The military. The military providesoccasion for theBible tobe taught. The armedforcesarenotthechurch.WoulditbewrongforaChristiantoteachtheBibleatsuchservicessincethechurchisnotprovidingtheoccasion?

13)Camps.Somecampsoperatedbysecu-larinstitutionsfurnishoccasionforBibleteaching.Ifno secular institutionmayprovideoccasion forBibleteaching,thenitwouldbewrongtoacceptaninvitationtospeakatsuch,ortoattendorparticipateinsuchacamp,wouldn’tit? Such examples may be multiplied manytimesover.Thesearerealsitutationsanddemandrealanswers.Thefactremains:ifnosecularinstitutionmayfurnishanoccasionforBibleteaching,thenallsecularinstitutionsthatfurnishsuchareinerrorandno Christian may have any affiliation or association withanyofthem.

•iF oNLy The church.IfthechurchalonemayfurnishanoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible,thennoothercollective,entity,institutionororganizationofanykindmayprovideoccasionforBibleteaching.Thiswouldmeanthehome,whichis a divine institution separate and apart from thechurch, could not rightfully furnish occasion forBibleteaching.IfyoubelievethehomecanprovideoccasionforBibleteaching,thenyoumustgiveupthe position that the church is the only institutionthatmayprovideoccasionforBibleteaching.Youcan’thaveitbothways!Teachingthegospelisnottheworkofthechurchexclusively.Individualstooarechargedwiththeresponsibilityofgospelteaching(Mk.16:15;2Tim.2:2;Heb.5:12).Whenindividualsteachthegospel,whethersinglyorjointly,theyarenotinfringingontheworkofthechurchorminimiz-ing the sufficiency of the church to do its work.

• whaT aBouT SiNgiNg? God put sing-inginthechurch(Heb.2:12).Singingisameansofteaching(Eph.5:19;Col.3:16).IfoneopposessecularinstitutionsfurnishinganoccasionforBibleteaching, he must also oppose secular institutionsproviding occasion for singing since singing is ameansofteaching.Funeralhomesfurnishoccasionforsinging. Woulditbe lawfulforaChristiantosingspiritualsongsatafuneralhome?Notifsecularinstitutions may not furnish occasion for spiritualteaching.


•whaT aBouT BeNevoLeNce?Wouldn’tthesameholdtruefortheworkofrelievingneedysaints?Ifnot,whynot?Thechurchisgiventheresponsibil-ityofcaringforitsown(Acts2;4;6).Woulditbepermissibleforaneedysainttoreceivesupportfromasecularinstitutionorwouldthatinfringeontheworkofthechurch?IfsecularinstitutionsfurnishinganoccasionforBibleteachinginfringesontheworkofthechurchinevangelism,thendoesasecularinstitu-tioninfringeontheworkofthechurchinbenevolencewhenitprovidesaidandassistancetoaChristian?MustaChristiandependonthechurchaloneforaidor may he receive assistance from other sources?Whatistrueinoneareamustalsobetrueinanother;sameprinciple.Ifnot,whynot?Justasevangelismisnottheworkofthechurchexclusively,neitherisbenevolence(1Tim.5:16).

•a pLea For uNiTy.Wedonotneedthreedifferentchurches:oneteachingallsecularinstitu-tionsmayfurnishoccasionforBibleteaching;anotherteachingsomemayfurnishtheoccasion(anddivided

even further over which may and which may notprovideit);andthethirdteachingnosecularinstitu-tionmayfurnishoccasionforfolkstobetaughtintheBible.Brethrenaremaligningeachother,meet-ings are being cancelled, and support is being cutoffbybrethrenoverthisissue.“Mybrethren,thesethingsoughtnotsotobe.”Letusrespecteachothersconvictionsinthismatter.Ifyoubelievenosecularinstitutionmayfurnishanoccasionfor folks tobetaughtintheBible,thendonotsubscribetoanyreli-giousjournal,attendanyschool,orgotoanyfuneralhomethatfurnishesanoccasionforBibleteaching.Yetdonotbindandpressyouropiniontothedisrup-tion,disturbance,ordivisionofthebrethren!Todosoistobecontentiousorfactiousandisgroundsforrejection(Ti.3:10).“Letusthereforefollowafterthethingswhichmakeforpeace,andthingswherewithonemayedifyanother”(Rom.14:19).Letuspledgethatnospeculativemattersshouldeverbedebatedordiscussedtothedisturbanceofthepeaceandhar-monyofthechurchandmutuallyresolvetopreachthegospelratherthantopropagateopinions.

God has but one people on the earth.HehasgiventothembutoneBook,andthereinexhortsandcommandsthemtobeonefamily.Aunion such as we plead for—a union of God’speople on that one Book—must then be practi-cable.EveryChristiandesirestostandcompleteinthewholewillofGod.TheprayeroftheSavior,andthewholetenorofHisteaching,clearlyshowthat it isGod’swill thatHischildrenshouldbeunited.TotheChristian,then,suchaunionmustbedesirable.ButanamalgamationofsectsisnotsuchaunionasChristprayedforandGodenjoins.Toagreetobeoneuponanysystemofhumanin-ventionwouldbecontrarytoHiswill,andcouldnever be a blessing to the churchor theworld:thereforetheonlyunionpracticableordesirable

mustbebasedontheWordofGodastheonlyruleoffaithandpractice.Therearecertainabstruseandspeculativematters—suchasthemodeofthedivineexistenceandthegroundandnatureoftheatonement—thathaveforcenturies,beenthemesofdiscussionamongChristians.Thesequestionsareasfarfrombeingsettlednowastheywereinthebeginningofthecontroversy.Byaneedlessandintemperatediscussionofthemmuchfeelinghasbeenprovoked,anddivisionshavebeenproduced.ForseveralyearspastIhavetriedtospeakonsuchsubjectsonlyinthelanguageofinspiration,foritcanoffendnoonetosayaboutthosethingsjustwhattheLordHimselfhassaid.InthisScripturalstyleofspeechallChristiansshouldbeagreed.Itcannotbewrong.Itcannotdoharm.IfIcome

a uNioN oF god’s people oN that oNe book“Raccoon” John Smith, “Dead Yet Speaketh”


tothepassage,“MyFatherisgreaterthanI,”Iwillquote it,butwillnotstop tospeculateupontheconsubstantialnatureoftheFatherandtheSon.“Havethismindinyou,whichwasalsoinChristJesus:whoexistingintheformofGod,countednotthebeingonanequalitywithGodathingtobegrasped,”IwillnotstoptospeculateupontheconsubstantialnatureoftheFahterandtheSon.Iwillnotlingertobuildatheoryonsuchtexts,andthusencourageaspeculativeandwranglingspiritamongmybrethren.IwillpresentthesesubjectsonlyinthewordswhichtheLordhasgivenme.IknowHewillnotbedispleasedifwesayjustwhatHehassaid.WhateveropinionsabouttheseandsimilarsubjectsImayhavereachedinthecourseofmyinvestigation,ifIneverdistractthechurchofGodwiththemorseektoimposethemonmybrethren,theywillneverdotheworldanyharm. Ihavethemorecheerfullyresolvedonthiscourse,because thegospel is a systemof facts,commands,andpromises;andnodeductionsorinferences from them, however logical or true,formsanypartofthegospelofJesusChrist.Noheavenispromisedtothosewhoholdthem,andnohellisthreatenedtothosewhodenythem.Theydonotconstitute,singlyortogether,anyitemsoftheancientandapostolicgospel.Whilethereisbutonefaith,theremaybetenthousandopinions;and

henceifChristiansareevertobeone,theymustbeoneinfaith,andnotinopinion.Whencertainsubjectsarise,andeveninconversationorsocialdiscussion,aboutwhichthereisacontrarietyofopinionandsensitivenessoffeeling,speakoftheminthewordsofScriptures,andnooffensewillbegiven,andnoprideofdoctrinewillbeencouraged.Wemayevencome,intheend,bythusspeakingthesamethings,tothinkthesamethings. ForseveralyearspastIhavestoodpledgedtomeetthereligiousworld,oranypartofit,ontheancientgospelandorderofthingsaspresentedinthewordsoftheBook.ThisisthefoundationonwhichChristiansoncestood,andonittheycan,andoughtto,standagain.FromthisIcannotde-parttomeetanyman,orsetofmen,intheworld.While,forthesakeofpeaceandChristianunion,IhavelongsincewaivedthepublicmaintainanceofanyspeculationImayhold,yetnotonegospelfact,commandment,orpromisewill Isurrenderfor theworld. Letus, then,mybrethren,benolongerCampbellitesorStoneites,NewLightsorOldLights,oranyotherkindoflights;butletusallcometotheBible,andtotheBiblealone,astheonlybookintheworldthatcangiveusallthelightweneed.

Lexington, Kentucky, January 1, 1832

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“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).

Who Said It?Aleisha Edwards

Kids Activity Page

“...she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus...” (Mt. 1:21).

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“...he that cometh after meis mightier than I...” (Mt. 3:11).

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“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17).

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“All power is given unto me inheaven and in earth” (Mt. 28:18).

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“I am ready to go with thee, bothinto prison, and to death” (Lk. 22:33).

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“Why, what evil hath he done?”(Lk. 23:22).

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“How can a man be bornwhen he is old?” (Jn. 3:4).____________________

(New Testament)

“Almost thou persuadest meto be a Christian” (Acts 26:28).

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“I believe that Jesus Christis the Son of God” (Acts 8:37).

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“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

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“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas. 1:19).

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“Come, see a man” (Jn. 4:29).____________________

“Blessed art thou among women” (Lk. 1:42).____________________

“If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Mt. 4:3).

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Ifachildweretoaskyoutoexplainfaith,whatwouldyousay?Theconceptof“faith,”likethatof“love”isnoteasilyexpressedinafewwords.Justwhatisfaithandwhatdoesitmeantous?

•whaT FaiTh iS NoT.(1)Faith is not a blind leap into the dark.Somemaythinkthatfaithisanunsubstantiatedopinion.Thismakesfaithaconclusionreachedwithoutanyevidence.Tothecontrary, faith isnotopposed toknowledge,butsight(Heb.11:1;2Cor.5:7). Faithisaformofknowledge.Whatothertextswouldcallfaith,Acts2:36referstoasknowledge.

(2)Faith is not a mere belief that one exists or lived.“Frequentlyonesays,‘Ibelieveinthatman, because I know him.’ Here faith containsan element of trust, or confidence in him, and you show your confidence in him by committing your caseintohishandsanddoingwhathesays.Tobe-lieveinGodistocommitourselves,ourways,intoHishandsandtodiligentlyfollowhisdirections”(C.R. Nichol and R.L. Whiteside, Sound Doctrine, Vol. 2, p. 120).

•whaT FaiTh iS.Tounderstandwhatfaithis,let’slookatfourdifferentthings.

(1)Hebrews 11:1. Thetextsays,“Nowfaithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor,theevidenceofthingsnotseen”(NKJV).Thistextshowsfaithinrelationshiptotwoprinciples:thingshopedforandthingsnotseen.EdwardRobinson’stransla-tionofthistext(whichJ.W.McGarveysaidwasthe“clearestandbesttranslationIhavemetofthisverse”) says, “Faith is confidence as to things hoped for;convictionastothingsnotseen”(McGarvey’s Sermons, pp. 84-85). Onewhohasfaithisconvincedinregardtothingsthatarenotseen.Heis“certain”ofwhat

hedoesnotsee(NIV).Onewhohasfaithhascon-fidence in the objects of hope and the promises of God.Andersontranslatesourtext,“Faithisasureconfidence with respect to things hoped for, a firm persuasionwithrespecttothingsnotseen”(T. W. Brents, The Gospel Plan of Salvation, p. 211).

(2)Words that are used for faith.ThewordtranslatedfaithinHebrews11:1istranslated“as-surance” (Acts 17:31) and “fidelity” (Ti. 2:10). The term“faith”isusedinterchangeablywith“believe”or“belief”(Mt.8:10,13;Heb.11:6;Rom.4:3,9).

(3) Faith is the result of testimony and evidence.Wecanbetterunderstandfaithwhenwerealizehowfaithcomes.FaithcomesafterseeingtheevidencepresentedfromthewordofGod(Rom.10:17).Jesusprayedforthosewhobelievethroughtheword(Jn.17:20).Johnwrotehisrecordofthemiraclestoinducefaith(Jn.20:30-31).SofaithisbaseduponFACTandTESTIMONYofthatfact.“Faith, then may be defined as a firm, unshaken confidence, conviction, or belief in the truth of a proposition,basedupontestimonyconcerningit”(T. W. Brents, The Gospel Plan of Salvation, p. 211).

(4)Vine’s. W.E.Vinesays faith is“pri-marily, firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing (akin to peitho, to persuade), is used intheN.T.alwaysoffaithinGodorChrist,orthingsspiritual”(Vol. 2, p. 71).

SheLByviLLe, [email protected]

what Faith isDonnie V. Rader

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