What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 4 / No. 17”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. IV - No. 17 / January 16, 2022
RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD
What does it mean to rightly divide God’s word as found in 2nd Timothy 2:15? There are many people who believe that the Old Testament scriptures are applicable today for law/salvation! What do the scriptures teach? We understand from a study of the Bible that the old law, the law given to the Israelite nation through Moses, was to last until Christ came. Read Matthew 5:17.18. We understand that Christ, upon His death, fulfilled that law, nailed it to the cross. Read Colossians 2:14. Thus ending that law-making way for the law of Christ. Read Hebrews 10:9. We are now under law to Christ. Please read Hebrews 9:13-17.
All but one of the Ten commandments in the old law were restated in the law of Christ which is found in the new testament. The one that commands to “remember the sabbath day to keep it holy” is not restated therefore this one does not apply today. There is not a scripture in the new testament, after Christ established His church in Acts chapter 2 that demands us to remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. So how do we use the old testament scriptures today? Romans 15:4 teaches us: These scriptures were written for our learning. There are numerous things we learn. Prophesies of the coming of Christ, how God spoke to others in olden times, how God has always expected obedience from his children, blessed those who obeyed and punished those who were disobedient.
We learn of God’s love, mercy and long suffering and many things too numerous to mention in this short article. We need to understand that we must not go back to the Old Law today to follow its teaching for our law/salvation today. We are to rightly divide God’s word! Please read all references and be aware many others can be given. Please, read and study the Bible for yourself!
—Byron Pledger
HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM
There are many today who claim to have received Holy Spirit baptism. Numerous preachers from pulpits, radio, and television are preaching you must receive Holy Spirit baptism to be saved or as evidence of salvation. Did Jesus or His apostles ever teach these things about Holy Spirit baptism? Let’s look at some facts about Holy Spirit baptism. (1) We see from such passages as Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33 that Holy Spirit baptism was always a PROMISE but NEVER A COMMAND! When Holy Spirit baptism was promised, it was always promised to the apostles (John 14-16; Acts 1:5). (2) There are only two recorded cases of Holy Spirit baptism: one in Acts 2 and the other was seven years later in Acts 10. Those who received Holy Spirit baptism in Acts 2 were Jews and the ones in Acts 10 were Gentiles. Both cases fulfilled Joel’s prophesy of Joel 2:28 concerning God’s Spirit being poured out on “all flesh”. (Joel’s prophesy was quoted by Peter in Acts 2 to explain the occasion of Holy Spirit baptism upon the apostles.) (3) Every time the Scriptures refer to the Holy Spirit, it is not referring to baptism. A dollar is money but not all money is a dollar. If we can understand this, we should likewise understand the Holy Spirit can be mentioned in the Scriptures and it not always refer to Holy Spirit baptism. (4) When the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles in Acts 10, Peter had to go all the way back to Pentecost in Acts 2 to find another case (Acts 11:15). This shows it was not a common thing to happen as it is tried to be made into today.
The PURPOSE of Holy Spirit baptism was to guide the apostles into “all truth” (John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13). The “you” in these passages refer to the apostles. The other purpose was to confirm to the Jews that the Gentiles were accepted under the same terms of the gospel (Acts 10:45,47; 11:15-18).
In Ephesians 4:5 we read there is “ONE BAPTISM”. At one time there was Moses’ baptism (1 Corinthians 10:2) and the baptism of John (Mark 1:4). After the Judgment Day there will be the baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11). In the first century, there was Holy Spirit baptism to serve the purpose of the things we’ve already stated. Today, there is but “one baptism” and it is commanded to be done in water for the purpose of remitting sins (Acts 2:38; 8:36; 10:48). No, there is no Holy Spirit baptism and water baptism for that would make TWO BAPTISMS! The Scriptures teach there is only ONE just as there is only ONE God, ONE Lord, ONE Spirit, ONE faith, ONE body, and ONE hope (Ephesians 4:4-6).
There is no need for Holy Spirit baptism today. God’s Word has been revealed in its total truth so that we have the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25; Jude 3). If people today have received Holy Spirit baptism, why don’t they preach what the Holy Spirit says about salvation, worship, and the Lord’s church?
—E.R. Hall, Jr.
MARITAL FAITHFULNESS
A recent report revealed that "thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married?" For years we've preached against and bemoaned the high rate of divorce in this country. But divorce doesn't just happen. There are any number of attitudes and actions that lead up to it. Wrong attitudes toward God, toward spouses, and toward the institution of marriage itself lead to foolish and harmful actions that destroy homes and condemn souls.
God created the institution of marriage. It is He who joins man and woman together in the bonds of matrimony, and He intends for them to stay that way until separated by death (Romans 7:2). Jesus said that man is not to separate what God has joined together (Matthew 19:6). In Malachi 2:16, God literally says that He "hates divorce." Any married person with an ounce of respect for God and His will, will not take out a personal ad for a date or engage in any other activity that could lead to a divorce. It's a matter of having the right attitude toward God.
It is also a matter of having the right attitude toward one's spouse. Spouses are to be loved, honored and cherished. A husband who is enraptured with the love of his spouse will not "be enraptured by an immoral woman" (Proverbs 5:19-20). He will honor his wife as the weaker vessel, and cherish her as he does his own flesh (1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:28-29). The wife who loves her husband will "see that she respects" him (Ephesians 6:23). "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones" (Proverbs 12:4). This mutual love and respect between marriage partners leaves no room for activities which bring pain, shame and dishonor to one's spouse. Simply put, divorce and its painful consequences are often the result of being unfaithful to God and to one's spouse. Truly, "the way of the unfaithful is hard" (Proverbs 13:15, NKJV)
—Steve Klein
QUOTABLE QUOTES
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” - William Penn
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” - Unknown
"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
