The following article was written and published in the O.P.A. in April of 2002. We call it back from the pages of history for the consideration of our readers and the proclamation of God's truth.
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I have received a few ranting replies from people who read yesterday’s article “Women’s Roles and Public Teaching” or heard my presentation at the 4th Meeting. None of those who have sent messages attached their names, nor did most maintain a proper spirit (at least in my estimation). Thus, I will not post their replies nor respond to all of the inquiries. I would also point out that none of those who critiqued my article used any Scripture whatsoever; they merely vented their feelings and made attempts at logic. Unfortunately, logic (and poor logic at that) cannot take the place of Scripture.
1 Timothy 2:8-15
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. If a person is baptized for the remission of their sins having confessed faith in Christ, are they allowed to later claim that they were baptized out of improper motivation and thus be re-baptized and avoid the consequences of an unscriptural divorce and remarriage? There are a number of factors to consider as well as many arguments to answer. What say the Scriptures? Is there such a thing as the Lord’s church? Are there saved people in the denominations of the religious world? In today’s sermon evangelist Ronny Wade contends that the church that Jesus built is not a part or a fraction of anything. It is the complete and total body of those people throughout the world who have been saved.
A special thanks to www.ChristianLandmark.com for recording and making this video available. Many Christians today fail to appreciate the benefit the Old Testament can bring to their daily walk. The Old Testament is often looked upon as a collection of interesting stories, and Israel is viewed as a forgotten people. Yet many of the New Testament writers base their teaching on an understanding of the Old Law and its people. To fail to study and appreciate the Old Covenant and people of God is to rob one’s self of important insights into the New Covenant and the New Kingdom. One such insight is provided by God in the parallel He establishes between physical Israel and spiritual Israel (the church).
In religious conversations people often argue, “I don’t believe God would send someone to hell for one…” and then they fill in the blank with whatever sin they feel is not that “big”. Humans tend to have a different perspective on sin than God. Man, based on his own authority, decides that some sins are not as bad as others, and that some sins are not worthy of eternal punishment. Based on their own reasoning many attempt to turn some “smaller sins” into “non-sins” and thus excuse certain behaviors. For example, some argue, “I don’t believe God will send someone to hell just because they drank a single glass of wine.” Others might say, “Oh, its just a little white lie.” In other words, drinking wine or telling a “fib” is not really a “big” deal; in fact, maybe we shouldn’t even classify them as a “sins”. Since we don’t “feel” such behaviors are sins worthy of eternal punishment, they must not be. If you have ever had a conversation with anyone about the Bible, there has likely come a point where you and the other person came to a disagreement. Having a discussion from two different points of view is not sinful (Acts 17:2-3), but the purpose of such discussions should be a searching for truth (1 Thess. 5:21). In many instances, unfortunately, one side or the other sells out on the pursuit of truth and simply tries to win at all costs (most importantly the cost of truth). In political discussions “winning at all costs” is called “mud slinging”. If one candidate cannot meet the other candidate’s position, the losing candidate with jump ship and attempt to salvage a win by attacking the other candidate’s reputation, shortcomings, or intelligence. Unfortunately, the tactics employed by political candidates often mirrors those used by people claiming to be Christians in “defending” the truth. The following list, though by no means complete or exhaustive, exposes several deceitful tactics used in religious discussions. Provided below is an audio recording of a sermon Nathan Battey presented on the trials in the Jewish courts that lead to Jesus' presentation before Pilate and ultimate execution on the cross. The Jewish trials are often read through hurriedly and many fail to grasp important details provided by the gospel writers. Before listening to the sermon, please consider the following list of questions and see how many you can answer. Hopefully by the time you have listened to the sermon in its entirety you will be able to answer them all. 1- How many times was Christ tried before his crucifixion? 2- Who was Annas and why was Jesus first taken to his house when arrested? 3- Why are both Annas and Caiaphas referred to as High Priest? 4- Which two disciples followed Jesus to the houses of Annas and Caiaphas? 5- What two part question did Annas asks Jesus? 6- How does Jesus’ reply to Annas convict us of guilt today? 7- Why was Jesus struck by one of the guards of the High Priest? 8- How many members made up the Sanhedrin and how many members were needed to incur the death penalty? 9- What was the role of the High Priest in relation to the Sanhedrin? 10- Was the trial before Caiaphas a formal or informal trial? 11- What ultimately condemned Christ? 12- What was the conviction handed down by the Sanhedrin? 13- What was the conviction that was presented to Pilate?
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Nathan Battey
is an evangelist of the Church of Christ in Arlington, Texas. Archives
February 2024
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