East Mound Church Of Christ

04/07/2019

04/03/2019

The Amplified Bible translation is one that claims on its packaging: “Captures the Full Meaning Behind the Original Greek and Hebrew.” This, friends, is why your choice of Bible translation matters. Steer clear of this translation, seeing as it lies about trying to capture the original meaning while mistranslating a simple truth.

04/02/2019

As shocking as it may sound, God is not an American! He didn’t set up His church as a democracy, where the most powerful factions control the purse strings. We’re not free to impose our American ideas about government onto the church, unless we find those ideas in the Bible.

03/19/2019

There are multiplied thousands of people who are willing to give intellectual assent to the fact that a Supreme Being exists, but who do not see that such an idea bears any relationship to their daily personal lives. Technically, these people are designated as “deists.” They are theoretical theists, but practical atheists.

03/19/2019

DOES GOD DEMAND STRICT OBEDIENCE?

This is a question that should deeply concern us, but according to the actions of many people they must think it makes but little difference whether we strictly obey the word of the Lord. They seem to think if they obey a part of his law, it will be all right, as He is so merciful, and he will not punish them. Suppose that we go through life thinking thus, treating His word lightly, and when we stand before Him in judgment, we learn that He was very particular, it will then be too late to make amends. Has God left us in doubt about this question? I believe He has given us the divine answer, but the only way we may obtain the divine answer is to look with an eye of faith into the book of divine knowledge (the Bible).

When we look into the Book, we find that He has been very particular that His people strictly obey Him. Not only so, but He has recorded in the Old Testament many examples of how He dealt with those who disobeyed in that dispensation. He was particular that “every transgression and disobedient received its just recompense of reward” (Hebrews 2: l-4).

In Romans 15:4 Paul says: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Again in I Corinthians 10:11-12 (Paul had been speaking of the Jews and their lusts and what happened to them- as a result), thus: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Therefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” See also, 2 Peter 2:4-9. James says in his epistle, 2:10..."Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

We shall now notice some of the things that ‘‘were written for our learning and admonition, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”- things that happened by way of examples unto us:”

Adam and Eve died because of their transgression. Cain's offering was rejected because it was not of faith. Cain was banished for murdering his brother. The wicked world was destroyed by the flood - not a wicked person escaped. Lot's wife stands as a pillar of salt because of disobedience. Miriam became leprous because she spoke against Moses. The wicked cities of S***m and Gomorrah were burned up. The death of the first born was the penalty inflicted in the land of Egypt because of disobedience. Nadab and Abihu were burned for offering strange fire. Because Moses took praise unto himself when he smote the rock, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. For theft Achan and his family were stoned. King Saul was punished for his disobedience. Uzzah was punished for doing the right thing in the wrong way. David was punished for his crime. Angels that sin will be punished (2 Peter 2:4). In view of the above, how shall we escape if we continue in disobedience? No doubt for the following things which people are doing at the present time, they stand in danger of being punished.

 Claiming miraculous conversions…
 Teaching that baptism is nonessential…
 Saved by faith only
 Advocating human societies to do the work of the church, such as, Ladies’ Aide, Missionary Societies, Sunday schools, etc.
 One man pastor system
 Instrumental music in the worship
 Use of individual communion cups
 All other things which are not contained in the word of faith.

In Galatians 5:19-24, you may read of some classes of un-righteousness and what will be the doom of those who are guilty. According to this notion there will likely be more religious people lost than any other kind.

03/18/2019

As children grow up, they learn the difference between right and wrong, and, eventually, they reach an age when they have the ability to choose sin. All mature humans sin at some point (Romans 3:23). It is at that time that we need to have our sins washed away by Christ’s blood—we need to be baptized, but not when we are infants.

03/18/2019

At What Moment in Faith?

Salvation is by grace through faith (Eph.2:6,8). Of this there is no controversy. The question is, “At what moment in faith does salvation or remission of sins actually become ours through faith?” Has God designated an exact moment? The answer is very clear unless one has an agenda guided by unbelief in the word of God. Colossians 2:12 tells us that we are buried with Christ in baptism “through faith in the operation of God”. That means that we go down in the water with faith that God will “operate” and remove our sins. Thus, there is an exact moment in faith that salvation becomes our possession.

The first case of conversions after Jesus’ resurrection is given to us in Acts 2 where we see 3,000 Jews move from a state of sin and condemnation into a state of salvation. It is a case of 3,000 being saved by grace through faith, but the Holy Spirit showing us the exact moment in faith that salvation is brought into our possession. Follow the text and make observations along the way.

Acts 2:36-42
36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (NOT SAVED YET)

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (NOT SAVED YET, but feeling a need to be saved, believing what Peter said.)

38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

(IF THEY DO THIS THEY CAN BE SAVED. The WHEN they could have remission of sins through faith is discussed here).

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." (NOT SAVED YET)

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (NOW THEY ARE SAVED) NKJV

So, God told the 3,000 exactly the moment in faith they could have remission of sins. There is no doubt that they were saved through faith. The question is at what point in faith? It was WHEN their faith moved them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ FOR remission of sins. If their faith did not move them to repent and be baptized in His name, then their faith would not have the right content and consistency. Does just any faith claim qualify? No! The men in John 12:42 “believed” in Jesus but would not confess Him. Was THAT faith enough to save them? No! So, there must be a faith that is willing to confess Jesus, repent of sins, and be baptized in His name. Without the right content of faith, it is not the faith that saves. There is a precise moment when we become “united together” with Christ. Paul clearly says it is when we are “baptized into Him” (Gal.3:26-27; Rom.6:3-6).

Believe what the Spirit said in Acts 2, and believe what the Spirit says in Romans 6:3-6:

3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been UNITED TOGETHER in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. NKJV

Notice that the moment in faith is precise. The 3,000 were not celebrating salvation until after baptism. Before baptism they were feeling guilt and need for forgiveness. The Ethiopian Eu**ch was not celebrating till after baptism because that is the precise moment in faith that he entered INTO Christ and was “united together” with Christ (Acts 8:33ff). This runs counter to modern denominational doctrine, but honesty demands that we accept the word of God over the ideas and doctrines of men. The Bible does tell us the precise moment when grace brings us into salvation through faith.

03/17/2019

A quick thought to consider.

Jesus Christ has the power and willingness to save whosoever, but you will not find the benefits of Jesus’ salvation except you pass through the waters of baptism.

Baptismal waters do not save, but the obedient faith does! Short conclusion? Jesus saves, but not apart from the baptism that is by His authority, and this baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

03/13/2019

Using God's Name in Vain

What does this mean and is it really that big of a deal? I don’t know about you, but I am utterly disgusted by how commonly some today utter God’s name. It is not as if they are crying out to Him in prayer or even beseeching His favor. Instead, “Oh my God!” or “Oh God!” or just “God!” is something that has become an all-to-common expression that is utilized to convey shock, surprise, amazement, or even disgust by those who give little or no true thought, let alone obedience, to God otherwise. It is sickening to hear so many utter the most holy name known to mankind in such common and cursory ways.

Exactly what did Exodus 20:7 prohibit with the injunction against taking “the name of the Lord God in vain”? The word vain (the Hebrew word shav) refers to something which is empty, worthless, or nothingness. The last part of Ex.20:7 continues, “for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who take His name in vain.” This makes it serious business to flippantly use the name of God! It is to be used only with holiness and reverence, not as some sort of common expression utilized when our limited vocabularies can’t come up with anything better with which to express ourselves!

Look, I’m not trying to make a “big deal” out of this….IT IS A BIG DEAL! The name “God” is the proper name of the Creator of the Universe, the Sustainer of Life, and the Savior and Judge of the World! When you utter this name it had better be with respect in tone, purpose, and context. Jesus further emphasized the seriousness of how we utilize the gift of language when He said, “that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.” Matthew 12:36.

I don’t care if Paris Hilton made it popular to say “Oh my God!,” it’s still dead wrong to use the name of God in a careless, flippant way! Millions of young girls (and plenty of other folks who are neither young nor female) are taking in vain the name of the Lord God through this kind of influence and will ultimately be held accountable eternally for it. Certainly, this is no joking matter. Furthermore, look up the word “gosh” in the dictionary and you’ll find that it is simply a euphemism for “God.” So, saying “Oh my Gosh!” is no better and is in fact, just as sinful. Some may object by saying they didn’t know this or that it wasn’t the way or meaning that they intended. Look, words mean things. If we don’t know what they mean, we shouldn’t be using them. Such would certainly make them the kind of “careless words” which Jesus clearly condemned.

People who manifest no regard for God’s ways in their lives, ought not to be using God’s name at all– unless of course to cry out for mercy and forgiveness in repentance. But even people who do believe in God, and strive earnestly to live according to His principles, should be careful how, why, and in what context we utter His name.

I once saw a statement which said, if effect, “Rest assured that if you aren’t paying particular attention to what you are saying, your children will!” How much more so with God. Even when we aren’t paying close attention to the words we use and how we use them, God is and does. So be sure that when you utter the name of the Most High, you intend to and do so with the proper respect, fear, and trembling. In Matthew 12:37 Jesus added to the statement quoted above, "For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned." Let’s remove “Oh my God” and it’s equivalents from our speech so that our careless words don’t condemn us before our God in the day of judgment.

03/12/2019

How is a sinner saved?

Many answers are given to the question of the title. As you know, there are very many different churches, and they do not agree on the answer to this question. For example: some say that the sinner is saved by "Grace alone". Others disagree, saying the sinner is saved by "faith only." A preacher belonging to one of this last group said: "The sinner is saved by faith, minus nothing, plus nothing." However, he referred to no scripture as proof of his statement. Others say that the sinner must pray to God for forgiveness. Then there are those who say God "elected" certain people for salvation. All others are "non-elect." The "elect" cannot refuse salvation and the "non-elect" cannot obtain it. IF this is true, there is nothing man can do, or needs to do to be saved. He is either saved or lost and there is nothing he can do about it. Perhaps we should notice one thing written by the Apostle Peter: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). This idea of men, concerning "elect" and "non-elect" is hereby shown to be just what it is, a man made and false doctrine.

People who teach "grace or faith only" do not understand the necessity of learning ALL God has said on the subject of obtaining salvation. Until one has learned ALL God has said on any subject, he cannot understand the New Testament. The fact is, God, through an apostle of Christ, exhorts men to "save themselves" (Acts 2:40). A careful reading of that chapter will remove all doubt, if one will accept it.

There are at least twelve things taught in the New Testament by which men are said to be saved:
1. Man is saved by grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast."
2. Man is saved by Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:21). "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."
3. Man is saved by the blood of Christ. (Romans 5:8-9). "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
4. We are saved by his resurrection. (Romans 4:25). "... Who was delivered by our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
5. We are saved by his life. (Romans 5:10). "For if, when we were sinners, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."
6. Men are saved by the gospel. (Romans 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-2). "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." "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."
7. We are saved by faith. (Acts 16:31). "And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
8. We are saved by repentance. (Luke 13:3-5). "Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
9. We are saved by confessing faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10). "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." "That if thou shalt confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
10. A man is saved by calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16; Romans 10: 13). "And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." "For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
11. One is saved by baptism. (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 3:19-21). "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." "By which also, he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a-preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
12. We are saved by works. (Philippians 2:12; James 2:24). "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." "Ye see then, how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only."
Who will affirm that any of these things may be omitted, if they believe the Bible? Will any one affirm that one or more of these things are non-essential? Who would dare affirm that any one of these things is any more important than any other? Who will affirm that each one or every one of them does not have an important place in man's obtaining salvation? Yet many believe and teach that a sinner is saved by "grace only" or by "faith only"! This "alone" doctrine is a fraud perpetrated by Satan. It is widely accepted simply because people do not study for themselves to learn the truth.

Let us now consider a few questions that come to mind in a discussion of this subject.
1. Is salvation conditional? If the answer is "Yes", what are the conditions, and how can a helpless sinner perform them? If the answer is "No", who will be responsible for the many who will be eternally lost?
2. At what point is the penitent sinner pardoned? What are the evidences of pardon?
3. Is the command to be baptized in the word of God? If the answer is "Yes", then baptism is a part of the new birth, for one is born of the word of God. If "No", then why do some continue to practice it, making it not a part of obtaining salvation, but necessary for one to become a member of their "church"?
4. What part of redemption is the work of the Lord? What part is the work of the sinner? If you say the sinner has nothing to do, you must accept the doctrine of Universalism. If you say he can and must do what is commanded and trust God for the result, you must accept baptism for the remission of sins!
5. Where is the passage of scripture, revealed by an apostle, which teaches that a sinner cannot do anything to save himself?
6. Where is the proof that the apostles required the members of a church to vote on the acceptance of a new convert?
7. Is there any salvation OUT of Christ? Is it not a fact that one believes into, repents into, confesses into, and is baptized into Christ? Did the apostles teach any other way to get INTO Christ than these?
8. If a man can be a Christian ONLY and ONLY a Christian, why do some believe it is necessary to be called something else? Or, does a Christian have the right to wear a denominational name?

There are many more questions that could be asked in connection with this study. However, this should be sufficient to lead one to the Truth about how a sinner is saved. The result of that salvation is life.

How do you stand with regard to truth?