What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 4 / No. 10”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. IV - No. 10 / October 10, 2021
PREACHING JESUS
You may hear people and/or organizations proclaim that they are “Preaching Jesus”. A simple comparison of this proclamation to the Scriptures can reveal if that claim is correct.
In Acts 8:35-36, the Scriptures states “Then Philip opened his mouth and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’”
It is clear in this inspired passage that the “preaching of Jesus”includes water baptism.
Is Jesus preached where you attend? Is water baptism preached where you attend? According to the Scriptures, in order for Jesus to be preached, water baptism must be preached.
You are invited to come to East Albertville Church of Christ where Jesus is preached and since Jesus is preached, water baptism is also preached! —Donnie Mathis
"BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH" BUT WHEN?
For one to be scripturally baptized, he must allow human hands to lower him into a watery grave and to raise him up from that watery grave in a likeness of the burial and resurrection of Jesus.
But while that resurrection is taking place, effected by human hands, a resurrection of far greater significance is taking place, effected not by human hands, but by the hands of almighty God. For the same God who made Jesus alive from the dead, and raised Him up to sit at His own right hand in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:20-23), makes us alive from spiritual death and raises us up together with Christ that we might sit with Him in the heavenly places.
"And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins… but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:1-6).
How do we come to be raised together with Christ? It is by grace (God's unmerited favor) coupled with our faith. "For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory" (Eph. 2:8,9).
So many, however, who have come to recognize how we are raised with Christ have failed to recognize WHEN we are raised with Him. We are raised with Him IN BAPTISM. A parallel passage, Col. 2:12, says so: "Having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead."
We thus establish a parallel between Eph. 2:8,9 and Col. 2:12. The two passages are not contradictory. They are complementary, Eph. 2:8,9 telling how one is raised with Christ (by grace through faith) and Col. 2: 12 telling when this takes place (at baptism). When one is brought to see this parallel, he will then be able to see that the faith of Eph. 2:8,9 is an active, obedient faith that includes, among other things, baptism. Baptism is essential to salvation! - Bill Hall
IF I WERE THE DEVIL'S PREACHER...
The devil does have preachers! “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). In fact, it can be truthfully said the devil has “MANY” as opposed to a few (1 John 4:1).
If I were the devil’s preacher, what would be some of my “works” that would distinguish me? The best place to look would be at the things I preached, would it not? What would be some of the things I would preach?
ONE CHURCH IS JUST AS GOOD AS ANOTHER! In preaching this, I would be drawing attention away from the church Jesus built (Matthew 16:18) and the fact that all others will be “rooted up” (Matthew 15:13).
ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED! This is bound to have great appeal among people despite the fact the Scriptures teach to the contrary as in Galatians 5:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:12.
I would have to preach BAPTISM IS UNNECESSARY FOR SALVATION! Yet the Scriptures teach it is baptism that puts a person “into Christ” (Galatians 3:27). The devil knows to keep a person from being baptized is to keep a person from being saved (1 Peter 3:21).
SALVATION BY FAITH ONLY would be another thing I could preach if I were the devil’s preacher. I would preach this despite the plain wording of James 2:24.
THERE’S NOTHING IN A NAME! If I could convince people of this one, then we will continue to have all the different religions and denominational names we have now. At the same time, I would be drawing attention away from the fact that in the New Testament we can only find the name “Christian” being used (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
Yes, the devil has “many” preachers having disguised themselves so well the majority of people are traveling the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). The only way their sheep’s clothing can be removed is through the simple teaching of God’s Word. —E.R. Hall, Jr.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
