A Touch of Zoroastrianism

Sometimes in looking at troubles I think it helps to have just a touch of Zoroastrianism. Now Zoroastrianism is the idea there are two gods, a good god and an evil god, and they are fighting it out. This does not work as an ultimate understanding of the world. If you have two equal gods, what basis do you have for concluding one is good and the other evil? But while I am a Calvinist and believe God is absolutely sovereign over everything (Ephesians 1:11; Isaiah 43:13; Romans 8:28), I think it is helpful to realize that at the human level we are in the midst of a real battle between good and evil (Ephesians 6:10-20; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:8). (Please note that other human beings are not the enemy, but are victims of the enemy - 2 Timothy 2:24-25; Hebrews 2:14,15; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4.) When we try to do the right thing and everything seems to go wrong, we need to remember that we do have an enemy who opposes us, and to trust God to bring us through (Proverbs 3:5,6; Psalms 127:1,2; 37:3-6).

Who Is a Member?

How important is it to be the member of a church organization? What significance does it have to be a member? Should we even avoid it altogether? Now those who put their faith in Christ, apart from anything they can do to earn it, are saved (Ephesians 2:8,9: Romans 4:4,5; Philippians 3:9) and are part of the body of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-12; Acts 2:47; Romans 12:4,5), the universal church. The normal outward expression of such faith is to be baptized (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:43-48; 22:16). Those who make an appropriate confession of faith and are baptized are part of the visible church.

But this opens up the whole question of what constitutes baptism. I do not see any basis anywhere in Scripture for requiring a particular person to baptize in order for it to be legitimate. The command to baptize is addressed to the eleven disciples, referring to their being learners who followed Christ and not their office. But since baptism means coming into a new relationship with other believers, it makes sense it should be done by a believer, if possible (1 Corinthians 12:13; 10:1-4; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Nowhere does it prescribe a particular mode of baptism. I am convinced God commands what He intends to command (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Matthew 15:1-20) and if He had wanted to require a specific mode, He would have. Also, following this principle I see no basis in the New  Testament for infant baptism and do not believe such a practice should be deduced from vague references (Matthew 19:13-15; Acts 16:15,31,32). Nor can it be sustained simply by an analogy with circumcision. There is a clear analogy between the Passover and the Lord's Supper, but that does not mean we should only have communion on the fourteenth of Nisan. But there are complicated issues involved, and while baptism is commanded, I believe charity should regard those with a genuine profession of faith who were baptized as infants or who believe that the practice of baptism has passed away, as part of the visible church, though we disagree about the details.

Now the church is required to be organized (Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Corinthians 14:40). But the current church is divided, and while I am convinced much of this is contrary to Scripture (1 Corinthians 1:10-17; Philippians 2:1-11; Ephesians 4:3-6), we must deal with the situation as it is. Given this, it does make sense to have some method of deciding you are part of a given congregation. We need to be involved with God's people to follow His commands (Hebrews 10:24,25; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 14:12). In this, it makes sense, barring some good reason not to, to become a member of that congregation of which you are a part. God does not mean for us to be spectators, but to be involved with one another. But not so that it makes us forget our greater identity as part of the larger body of Christ.  

A Touch of Humor - Asking for Directions

Can we be so caught up in our own concerns we miss the obvious thing about a situation? Is there a way to avoid this?

Old Erich Proverb - Handle

God frequently gives us more than we can handle so we will turn to Him for help.

A Voice from the Past - Ambrose

It is said, therefore, that in investigating the truth, we must observe what is seemly. We ought to look for what is true with the greatest care. We must not put forward falsehood for truth, nor hide the truth in darkness, nor fill the mind with with idle, involved, or doubtful matters.

Ambrose of Milan, 337-397 AD, Duties of the Clergy, Book 1, Chapter XXVI, (transalted by Rev. H. De Romestin, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Volume X, Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, T & T Clark and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1997, p. 21)

How important is it for us as Christians to put forth what is true and put it forth clearly? What temptations are there to deviate from this?

The Importance of Size

It is easy to get caught up in the issue of numbers. If a congregation or ministry reports large numbers, that means it is a success. There is a reaction to this which wants to say that large numbers mean those involved have watered down the message. We need to put this in perspective.The Scriptures do mention size a few times (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14). But the emphasis seems to be on the power of God and His message and not on the spirituality or ability of the apostles. This accords with the teaching of Scripture (1 Corinthians 3:6,7; Matthew 16:18;  Psalms 127:1,2). But it does indicate that impressive results are not necessarily bad. Jonah preached a sermon that resulted in a whole city repenting and then went out and pouted because he wanted them to be destroyed (Jonah 3,4). But Jeremiah, who wept over the fate of Jerusalem, saw very little in the way of results (Jeremiah 9:1; 13:17; 14:17). Spirituality and numbers do not always go together.

I believe the best approach to the subject of size is not to make it an issue by itself. We need to avoid standing in overall judgment of others (1 Corinthians 4:3-5; Romans 14:3; James 4:11,12), particularly based on numbers. It is possible to gain large numbers by watering down the message and telling people what they want to hear (1 Corinthians 1:16-25; 2:14; 2 Timothy 4:3,4). But it is wrong to assume this just because someone is successful in attracting large numbers. There may be cases where people are leaving a congregation or organization in droves and those in leadership need to get on their knees and ask if they are doing something wrong. They may not be; there can be various reasons for this, but the question has to be asked. But if a ministry needs to be evaluated (I am convinced this should only be done if there is a reason), then the main issues should be its teaching and behavior not its size. Is it preaching the gospel or pop psychology?  Is it reaching out to people in need or has it become a closed clique that you have work to get into? But size by itself is not the measuring stick. I am convinced when we give account of ourselves to God (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12), there will be surprises. There will be those thought great and famous who will be found to be insignificant, and those who are unknown who will be exalted. But there will also be those who turn out to be exactly what they appear to be. Let us not judge before the time.

Hide and Seek

How do I find my spiritual gift? This is a question often asked, and I find it interesting that the Bible nowhere directly deals with it. It says that all have spiritual gifts and should use them (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27: 1 Peter 4:10,11). One of the clear implications of this is that every member is important but none are to exalt themselves, for we all need each other. But how do we find what our gift is? We are not told to find our gift, but to serve and obey God (Romans 6:12-14; 12:10,11; Ephesians 2:10). I am not against using available resources to try to determine what our gift is, though we must remember these are human wisdom. However, we should not spend excessive time waiting around to discover our gift or be too quick to dismiss meeting a need because it is not our gifting. But if we follow Christ, we will find out what He wants us to do.