Spiritual Incarceration

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

The glass door to the church office had not yet closed behind him when he stuck his hand out to me. “Pastor, I’m a free man.” His haggard, but relieved, expression accented his words. It wasn’t the shame of incarceration or the anger at the justice system that dominated his emotion. After a three month lock-up, it was obvious that nothing was more important to him than simply to regain his freedom.

But, why do we imprison people? Over the centuries, the purpose of imprisonment has gone from justice, to punishment, to correction, to reform, to rehabilitation, to protecting society from offenders. In the United States today, the crime rate is lower than it has been for a number of years. At the same time, the prison population is at an all time high, suggesting that when the bad guys are locked up, the crime rate indeed goes down. The following paragraphs explain what people believe who are familiar with the correctional system today:

“As a society, we have chosen to prioritize the public safety of our citizens over programs designed to enhance the personal growth of inmates. Bear in mind that most, if not all, rehabilitation programs offered in our prisons were also available to them before their incarceration. All states provide tax-supported programs to benefit their citizens — be it academic and/or remedial education, vocational skills training, and chemical abuse, psychological, and/or psychiatric treatment. Every inmate had the opportunity to avail themselves of any or all of these programs before their incarceration. Every inmate made a choice — to drop out of school, to join a gang, to drink, to use drugs, to commit a crime. Just like everyone else — whether you’re a CEO , a shift worker or a homemaker — every inmate must acknowledge and accept the consequences of their choices and decisions.” Dianna Clemons, President, Justice For All

“Most of us, while growing up, learned that human life was sacred, and that murder is the most profound injustice. We learned that the courtroom was the place to search for truth and that justice would prevail. In ‘What Murder Leaves Behind,’ Doug Magee says, ‘In the aftermath of murder, families need some sense of counterbalancing justice. Exactly what that justice might entail differs from survivor to survivor, but all agree that they expect a realistic expression of regret and concern from the criminal justice system.’ All too often, this is not forthcoming. For the ultimate crime of murder, society must have the courage to take a stand, denounce the act as abhorrent, vow not to tolerate it and follow through with a tough sentence. The murderer deserves to be segregated from society, not only as a penalty (punishment) but for the safety of the rest of us. Perhaps convicted murderers could be rehabilitated to be constructive within the prison environment. My personal opinion (and that of many survivors) is that violent offenders should not be shown leniency.” Jean Lewis, Member of Board of Parents of Murdered Children

It seems quite obvious to me that the most practical purpose for incarceration is to keep criminals away from an open society so they will not hurt themselves or anyone else. Unfortunately, some people exist who simply cannot be trusted to behave themselves. They do not have enough control over their actions to be permitted to live side-by-side with their fellow citizens. We have a reasonable expectation that citizens in a free society should impose their own internal restraints upon themselves. Those who cannot refrain from deliberately injuring others around them must have external restraints imposed upon them. This means jail. Whether or not punishment is served, or rehabilitation occurs, has no bearing on the intended goal of incarceration. Once a person becomes a part of the correctional system, their fate and/or reform progresses according to a different set of criteria than the purpose for the initial lock-up.

Two conditions must exist for society to enjoy a viable existence: 1) it must incarcerate offenders; and 2) individual citizens must embrace societal norms for themselves. If we didn’t have prisons, anarchy would prevail and we would return to the wild west. At least for these elemental reasons, I think most of us would agree that we ought to have prisons for lawbreakers. Yet, the Bible also has an interesting point of view for prisoners.

Isaiah 42:5-7 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Ps 142:5-7 I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

How can Bible-believing citizens in our society favor prisons when the very Bible to which they claim allegiance inveighs against it? Before we go too far, we should clarify the difference between incarceration in ancient times and that of today. In Bible days, people in prison were much more likely to be there for reasons other than committing violent crimes. Debtors prisons were common, as well as prisons for political enemies. So, what is this prison to which the above scriptures refer? Theses scriptures are metaphorical and they include the prison of sin, the prison of self-righteousness and the prison of their captors, such as the Babylonians, Assyrians, and the Medes and Persians. It also includes the prison of religion.

The Religion of Incarceration

Yes, I did say the prison of religion. The fact is that man has fashioned a prison out of the sacred and honorable trappings of religion. It is apparent that the Bible does not always hold religion in the most favorable light. Five reference to religion appear in the scripture:

“Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” Acts 26:5

“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God , and wasted it.” Galatians 1:13

“And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” Galatians 1:14

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” James 1:26

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27

Of these five references, one can reasonably assume that the Apostle Paul does not hold a positive view of religion. In fact, he admits that religion became the reason and impetus for persecuting the church. History buffs know that religion has killed more people throughout the ages than raw imperialism or hunger for power ever did (with the possible exception of Hitler’s holocaust and Stalin’s pogroms of genocide). James talks about vain religion, and then he defines pure religion as having two aspects: good works and a virtuous life. If there is pure religion, there must also be an impure religion. If not, then James would have only needed to use the word “religion” without the qualifier “pure.” This comes down to my overarching contention in this article: impure religion results from doing the right things for the wrong reasons.

Religion evolved into a kind of external restraint, a set of imposed beliefs to which its adherents were expected to conform. The Jewish religion, especially through the efforts of the sect of the Pharisees, suffered immeasurably from man’s propensity to codify everything. Nelson’s Bible Dictionary contains the following comments on the Pharisees:

“Pharisees observed the Law carefully as far as appearances went, but their hearts were far from God. Their motives were wrong because they wanted the praise of men (Matthew 6:2,5,16; 23:5-7). They also had evil desires that were hidden by their pious show (Matthew 23:25 -28). That is why Pharisees are often called hypocrites: their hearts did not match their outward appearance.

“The Pharisees thought they could match God’s standards by keeping all the outward rules. Luke 18:9 says they “trusted in themselves that they were righteous.” This can easily happen when people think God’s will is the same thing as their list of what they can and cannot do. Their desire to keep all of God’s laws was commendable, but sometimes they put the emphasis on the wrong places. Minor details became a major preoccupation, and they forgot the more important things (Matthew 23:23 ).

“Finally, because Pharisees thought they were doing their best to keep God’s laws while others were not, they often looked down on such “sinners”-especially people like tax collectors and prostitutes. Religious people need to remember that they, too, are sinners in God’s eyes, and that Christ died for everyone.” (from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

The Pharisees represented the best and the worst of religion. For those who possessed a great respect and reverence for godliness, religion seemed to offer more than any other belief system. To those who obsessed on externals, however, Phariseeism became an insufferable measuring stick for judgmentalism and discrimination. Indeed, the Pharisees were so notorious for their odious self-righteousness that Jesus singled them out numerous times for condemnation.

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew 23:13-15

“And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute.” Luke 11:39-49

The weight of this condemnation should resound loudly in our collective ears. The Apostolic church has always contended that Pentecost is not a religion, it is an experience. Yet, methodically and inexorably, we have kept at it until we have turned it into a religion, nonetheless. Many converts to the Apostolic church were born into a religion. It was a collection of rules, regulations, and beliefs that were imposed upon them. Some were baptized as infants or confirmed at a young age as more of a rite of passage than a heartfelt wish. These beliefs were not a product of a personal experience with God.

Herein lies the crux of the matter: Religion is imposed from the outside. Salvation comes from an internalized experience with God. Religion forces, salvation grows. Religion incarcerates, salvation liberates. Religion doubts the intents of the heart; salvation affirms the intents of the heart. Religion uses rules and regulations to control; salvation embraces rules and regulations as an expression of love to God. Religion needs no relationship with God to thrive or even survive; salvation utterly depends upon its relationship to God to survive. Religion monitors its own progress, checks itself against the prescribed rules and gets fueled by its own pride and self-motivation. Salvation needs the constantly abiding Christ, the engrafted Word and the indwelling Spirit. In the end, religion glorifies the adherent; salvation glorifies God.

Religion from the Heart

From its beginning, the Church of Jesus Christ held that each person had to have his or her own experience with God. Not only is this manifest from Old Testament prophets, it dominated the preaching and teaching philosophy of the New Testament church. Here is a sampling of the scriptures:

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26-27

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” Acts 10:44-48

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth , Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus : and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.” Acts 19:1-7

The emphasis on each individual receiving a personal Pentecost underscores the value of a relationship with God that is embraced, not imposed. Without an individual experience, one had a need to gravitate toward religion. This is because he or she has no internal motivating power. Little wonder then, that as the spiritual gifts waned in the later history of the early church, the need for religion grew stronger. Without Christ ruling from the heart, the church had to rule from the throne. That which was intended to be a servant of mankind became its cruel master. Instead of pastors becoming shepherds over souls, they became wardens of spiritual prisons. It’s not that the inmates of a prison live by a different standard of morality than those on the outside; it’s just that inmates would not live that way without maximum supervision. Free people on the outside live by that same standard of morality because their lives are governed by an internal respect for the rule of law. Same morality, different methods and motives. David understood this law of the inner man:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19

Nowhere in scripture do we find this concept spelled out so succinctly as in Romans 6. As you read it, pay special attention to the use of the phrase, “from the heart.” Paul knew all about the external religion, imposed by man. He saw through it. It was shallow, self-glorifying and cruel. His conversion to Christianity changed his observance of certain ceremonial regulations, but it did not change his morality. He continued to believe in righteousness, perhaps even more fervently than before. What did change was his motivating factor. The God above him became the God within him.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:16-23

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” Ephesians 6:5-7

God’s plan is not for us to be incarcerated in a religion. It is for believers to embrace his righteousness, his holiness and his saving grace voluntarily, from their own hearts. The external rules and standards exist for definitions of truth and guidelines to living a holy life.

In summary, we must continue to believe, preach, teach and practice those forms of holiness that we find in the Scriptures. What we must lose is our tendency to turn the hallmarks of holiness into sledgehammers of condemnation. Problems with living righteously invariably stem from a flawed spiritual heart. The answer is not better prisons. The answer is a better relationship with God. If all we have is the ability to build prisons, we are doomed because the younger generation will always discover a new way to escape. If we lead them into embracing a secure relationship with God, they will find a permanence and stability in their lives that religion can never give them. Now, more than ever, it is time to love God from the heart.

The Rapture: Now, More Than Ever

For years, the world has known that just one deranged dictator with nuclear weapon capabilities could send the planet over its shaky precipice into oblivion. We have known that one rogue nation with poisonous chemicals could wipe out major population centers. Weapons of mass destruction detonated by an evil regime could cause destruction on a scale unknown to man. The difference between what we have known in the past and conditions that presently exist is that in 2008, we now have two such dictators, at least one such rogue nation and an unknown number of states armed with chemical weapons. Academic scenarios drawn up in war rooms of the generals have been replaced with a clear and present danger.

The scriptures boldly prophesy that catastrophic events like this will take place in the end of time. As we grow closer to the appointed time, the blurred images that prophecy preachers of the past construed from Bible passages have continued to sharpen in focus until it takes little imagination to picture such scenes around the world today. Add to this the present evidence that the other calamities outlined in Revelation have progressed to the imminent threat level, and you have a serious case for the rapture of the church.

The United Pentecostal Church, International believes that Jesus Christ will rapture His church at the appointed time in the future and we have incorporated this doctrine into our Articles of Faith. Yet, despite the frightening trends of our present world, we do not base our belief upon the status quo but upon clear statements from the Word of God. Readers who profess even a modicum of faith in the Bible need to know about the rapture of the church. We all need to understand that it could happen much, much sooner than we might imagine.

Christ’s coming is twofold. First, He will come for the church. This is really the core of the Rapture doctrine. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Also, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him” (II Thessalonians 2:1). Phase one of Christ’s coming, then, will not actually occur upon the earth, but rather above it. Phase two of Christ’s coming will happen when He comes with His church. “The LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee” (Zechariah 14:5). This will begin the thousand-year peaceful reign of Christ on the earth (Revelation 20:6). These are the two elements of the coming of Christ. They are coordinate actions, each one complementing the other.

The rapture of the church holds great significance for believers. Paul referred to it as our “blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Jesus set it forth as a great incentive for Christian living. “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:34-36). Finally, the Scriptures tell us that the Rapture is a great comfort to the church. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:18).

Immediately following our Lord’s ascension into heaven, two men (angels) gave this message to discouraged disciples: “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up unto heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). This message clearly describes a literal, physical event. It places deliberate emphasis upon the identical person (“same Jesus”), the identical method of return (“shall so come in like manner”), and the identical means of perception (“as ye have seen him go”). I Thessalonians 4:16-17 spells out the exact order of events in which the saved who have died, the saved who are still living, the archangel and Christ Himself shall participate in the Rapture. Revelation 1:7 tells us, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.” Without question, Christ will appear personally and visibly.

The Rapture will signal a marvelous change in the material makeup of the bodies of the saints. Our bodies will undergo a transformation from mortal flesh to a new, glorified substance designed to inhabit heaven throughout eternity. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (I Corinthians 15:51-52). The properties of this new body will apparently be like that of the resurrected body of Christ. He appeared and vanished at will and defied even the force of gravity. Such a change will enable the saints to be “gathered” to Christ. The transportation of our bodies will follow their transformation. In I Thessalonians 4:16-17, the phrase “in the air” signifies an actual journey from this earth to heaven. However it may occur, we shall appear with Christ in glory. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). The Scriptures always refer to heaven as a place above, up, or beyond. In Revelation 21:2, John saw the New Jerusalem as a place separate from the earth, coming down out of heaven.

A study of the rapture of the church inevitably leads to the question: When will it happen? The exact time is classified information, known only to God. Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Forecasting the exact date of the Rapture is a sure sign of a false prophet. It is within the realm of man’s knowledge, however, to understand seasons, trends, and times with reference to Christ’s second coming. In the parable of the fig tree, Jesus pointed out that “When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves

that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” (Luke 21:30-31). To illustrate this principle from nature, someone may not know exactly when it will snow on a given day, but during the winter months it could be anytime. Therefore, everyone must be prepared for bad weather throughout the winter season, even though the skies may be clear on many of the days. In the same vein, merely because we cannot know when the Rapture will happen does not relieve us from our responsibility to be ready for it. In fact, our very lack of specific knowledge calls for sustained preparedness. We do know that a certain spiritual climate will exist in the world at the time Jesus comes. Last-minute preparation is impossible simply because God has made sure we would not know when the last minute would be. Many visible signs now in existence point toward the soon return of Christ. A large number of books have been published on this subject alone. Some of the most commonly known signs are these:

• The return of the Jews to their homeland (Ezekiel 36:24).
• The increase of knowledge, technological advance, and travel (Daniel 12:4).
• Social chaos and widespread evil (II Timothy 3:1-7).
• International distress (Luke 21:25-26).

Those who devote much time to studying the signs emphasize that there is nothing to prevent the Rapture from taking place at any moment. Our response should not be to stop all activity and go into hiding, but rather to keep our hearts right, continue working for the kingdom of God, and comfort one another with this blessed hope.

Up to this point, we have considered the Rapture from the standpoint of the future. It will be an awesome, miraculous event. But unless each Christian is scripturally qualified to be translated with the saints when it happens, all his knowledge about it is meaningless. Jesus Christ is not coming for “just anybody.” The Bible is replete with qualifying factors for each person who wants to make the Rapture. None of them require wealth, ability, talent, fame, pedigree, or human power. All of them require faith and desire.

• The raptured must be in Christ. “The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Dying in Christ or remaining in Christ is necessary to be “caught up.” (See also II Corinthians 5:17-21.) Getting into Christ requires the new birth experience (John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38).
• The raptured must belong to Christ. “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (I Corinthians 15:23). Christ is coming to claim His own purchased possession. Those who want to go with Him must belong to Him at the time of His coming.
• The raptured must be accounted worthy. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). Of course, Christ stands in our stead, reckons Himself worthy, and then imputes that worthiness to us. We, in our flesh, could never be worthy, but we do have the responsibility to live by obedient faith. We can and must live a repented, holy life by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• The raptured must be pure. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:2-3). The purifying agent is always the blood of Christ. Those who long to see Jesus will make continual application of the blood to their souls to stay pure from the contaminants of this world. The raptured must be without spot or wrinkle. The church is like a bride in her wedding dress awaiting her husband. Jesus used this analogy in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. The Rapture is like the presentation of the bride to her husband. “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). That great moment must find the church at her best.
• The raptured must be spiritual. Spirituality is in direct contrast to carnality, or a flesh-governed life. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest … they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). A man who gorges his fleshly appetite cannot hope to make the Rapture. Instead, he must deny, or crucify, his fleshly tendencies and cultivate true spirituality. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13). The inward hope generates outward righteousness.
• The raptured are blessed and holy. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection” (Revelation 20:6).

In conclusion, just as Jesus Christ actually lived, died, and rose again, He is also returning to complete His work on the earth in an actual, literal sense. Those who have this hope are indeed a blessed people. In light of this, each person should ask himself, “Am I ready for Christ’s coming?”

Jesus First, Jesus Last

Remember the first time you drove a car? My brother-in-law, Scotty Teets, got me behind the wheel of his Nash-Rambler and coaxed me to drive. I was shaking all over by the time I was through.

Remember the first car you ever owned? I had a gold 1962 Pontiac Tempest convertible. The gear shift was a little lever underneath the dash, and the driver’s side window kept sliding down from the vibration of the car. It was not a real beauty.

Precious memories. You may not remember your first step, but somebody probably does, and it may even be captured on film, video tape or digital camera. Parents often keep albums where they write down baby’s first word, or keep a lock of hair from Junior’s first haircut, or have your first report card tucked away.

First things intrigue us. We just don’t forget our first date, first child, first home, or our first job. In fact, trivia buffs compile litanies of firsts of nearly everything you can think of. How else would we know that Benjamin Franklin was the first head of the United States Post Office, or that the first macaroni factory in the USA was established in 1848 in Brooklyn, New York? Did you know that Andrew Jackson was the first president to ride in a railroad train? The first to use a telephone was James Garfield. Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to ride in an automobile.

One of the most famous quotes from the Civil War Era was from the uneducated Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest when he was asked the secret of his success. He said, “I get there the fustest with the mostest!”

Sometimes, knowing who was first carries extreme importance from a legal standpoint. In ancient families, the privilege of birthright automatically went to the eldest son. The United States Patent Office exists to make sure the first inventor of an object or a process is registered. Controversy still rages over who really invented the first automobile and the first movie camera. Whoever comes in first in a race, wins, even though the second place finish is only a fraction of a second behind. Sports teams vie for first place in the standings. Students compete to be first in the class.

On the other hand, it may be just as important to be last. The last army still intact in the war is the victor. The last words of a dying person are often the most important. The last day on the job for a retiree is far more memorable than the first. The last survivor of a family or a generation gets more acclaim than he or she received throughout life.

If being first means superiority, birthright, and authority, it ought to be easy to see how important it is to proclaim Jesus Christ as the first. If being last means such great importance, then it is supremely significant that Jesus be seen as the last. Can we find these great honors bestowed on Jesus in the scripture? Absolutely! He not only possesses the attributes of deity, he holds the rights of deity. Jesus is the first and Jesus is the last.

In Revelation 1:8, we read, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Then, in Revelation 22:13, He says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”

Jesus is the First

This may sound strange, but just how first is He?
He was here yesterday. “…yesterday, today and forever.”
He pre-dates Abraham. “Before Abraham was, I am.”
He has been here since the world began.

Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

He is before all things.

Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

But wait. Didn’t somebody, anybody show up before Him?

In Job 38, God asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On ~hat were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? “Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’? “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?”

Although He was first, Jesus did not remain aloof, distant, cold and isolated. Here we have two towering peaks: first and last. Why didn’t Jesus stay where He was? Why didn’t He remain on the lofty heights of being first, preeminent, before all? Jesus came down the mountain and into the valley.

Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Jesus came into the valley where you and I live.
Bethlehem, Gethsemane, Calvary, the tomb.
He came to temptation, suffering, persecution, and beating and death.
He came to mockery, insult and humiliation.
He gave up eternity for time.
He gave up a palace for a stable; a throne for a manger; robes of royalty for swaddling clothes; honor for dishonor; a perfect world for a corrupt world.
He came into the valley where you and I lived without hope. He came because the scripture says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death thou art with me…”

But Jesus knew that He was BOTH the first and the last. The angels, the star, the miracles at Bethlehem testified not only that he was first, but also that he was last. For every stripe, there was a healing. For every insult there was a praise. For the stable, there was a mansion. For Calvary, there was a resurrection. For every humiliation, there was an exaltation.

Philippians 2:9 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus could give up being first because he knew He was going to be last!

Jesus is the Last.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Revelation 22:1 “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

The song says it all:

“For He alone is worthy,
For He alone is worthy,
For He alone is worthy,
Christ the Lord!”

Worship Him and your joy will be complete!

My Chief Justice

As the 2008 Presidential election gathers steam, one of the most critical factors of every campaign lies in the selection of Supreme Court judges.  The presidential term is limited to two terms, or eight years, but the justices of the Supreme Court serve for the rest of their lives, or until they voluntarily retire.  Thus, whoever the new president nominates for the court will have a powerful effect on the legal system and the nature of the laws passed by congress.  This aspect alone makes the election of a president extremely important.

Recently, the contentious confirmation hearings of both the SCOTUS Chief Justice and an associate justice gave America a fresh look at how our government works. Whenever this rare opportunity comes along, it always deepens our understanding of checks and balances and forces us to reevaluate democratic processes that were birthed over two-hundred and twenty years ago. More importantly, it grants awesome insight to Bible-believers into the justice and judgeship of Jesus Christ.

In a nation of 280 million people, only nine hold our destiny in their hands. The executive branch gives orders, the legislative branch makes laws, but the judicial branch decides how everyone else operates. Virtually every question that could possibly be posed about life and death comes before these justices. For example, in the first few days of new Chief Justice John Roberts’ tenure, the assisted-suicide case, Gonzales v. Oregon, was heard by the high court. In many such cases, the court renders split decisions. That means five judges vote one way and four dissent. Pick a justice from each side and you would have two highly educated, thoroughly vetted, superbly trained legal minds who are diametrically opposed to each other. Who’s right? It’s all academic—-unless it’s YOUR LIFE that happens to be hanging in the balance! Four think you should live; five decide that you die. The five win.

Of course, the cases heard by the Supreme Court normally go beyond deciding any one individual’s fate; usually these jurists take cases whose consequences impact a much broader cross-section of society. Nevertheless, each verdict, regardless of how broad it may be, ends up affecting individuals like you and me. This is precisely why the confirmation process needs to be detailed, grueling and sometimes even ugly. Americans ought not to get despondent at this. No human being should get to decide such monumental cases without going through a proportionately-sized, painful investigation to determine suitability for the job. If we deem preferential treatment bad, selfish interests reprehensible and corrupt judges who deliberately circumvent the law despicable, then only one recourse remains—-we’ve got to know if the person we choose will not just don a black robe, but will actually do the job.

Senators ask tough questions of a prospective judge. Do you tout a liberal or conservative record? Are you pro-life or pro-abortion? Do you believe in capital punishment? What’s your position on civil rights? Will you protect private property? Will you support the president even if he’s wrong? Which of the seven thousand plus appeals to the Supreme Court a year will you hear? These queries spring from skepticism and grave concern. Furthermore, we want nine judges making these decisions, not just one. It gives us a little more assurance that the verdict will be right.

One thing should be clear: We have no security in the individual judge, never mind his or her education, intelligence or experience. We only have security in the law. And therein lies the problem: A human judge represents our only tenuous connection to the law. The law may be perfect but the judge is not. The best we can do, then, is find out whether or not a judge will be fair, will uphold the constitution and holds deep convictions about right and wrong. We need to know that this judge believes that the law cannot evolve away from its roots or be manipulated into serving some sectarian or minority purpose. And often, even after we burrow deeply into the mind and soul of the candidate, we still harbor doubts. We just never know. Historically, we have erred often enough in our selections to make us nervous.

Three fabulous truths give us cause to celebrate the true Chief Justice, the Lord Jesus Christ. First, the law by which we have eternal life is not the work of men, but it came to us by holy men of old as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. God’s law is perfect. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. Moreover, this Word probes the depths of the soul. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. We can have total confidence in the law.

Second, the Lawgiver who authored this perfect law occupies the judgment seat. “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.” Romans 2:16. He who knows the hearts of men, he who wears the name “the Way, the Truth and the Life”, he who understands all things and he who cannot lie makes the decision about the destiny of our souls. While we may tremble with the knowledge, it inspires absolute trust toward the one who wields such supreme power. No corruption taints our Judge.

Last, we know the thoughts and intents of our Judge. He looked not for a way to execute us, but a way to save us. Thus, he descended from the judgment seat long enough to climb a hill called Calvary and suffer our penalty before it was imposed upon us. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17. Still obligated to his own eternal legal system, he meted out justice and poured out mercy at the same time. Jesus is my Chief Justice!

Azariah’s Compromise

“Save that the high places were not removed.” 2 Kings 15:4

Multitudes of seductive messages, promises, criticisms and rhetoric jam today’s airwaves and printed pages. Around rich, mahogany tables, corporate high rollers, contract negotiators, political candidates, prosecutors and defense attorneys match words and wits. It’s the compromise business. When it’s time to deal, people usually hammer out a compromise. “Give me what I want and I’ll give you what you want.” Both sides get something, but both sides lose something as well.

Compromises wiggle and worm their way out of dilemmas like, “Should I pay now or pay later? Will the mess be my back yard or yours? Should I go for peace now and worry about the problems tomorrow?” Spiritually, many people engage in similar struggles. “How can I have everything both ways? How can I please God and please the flesh too? How can I do enough right things to make up for the wrong things I want to do?”

King Azariah’s impressive list of achievements opened up a fabulous opportunity to lead Judah into revival. “He made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” 2 Chronicles 26:15-16. Instead of reviving Israel, this misguided king left the high places, shrines dedicated to the worship of pagan gods, intact. Why? Because large segments of the population worshipped there. It was risky business to destroy their holy places because such action could have fomented rebellion. Azariah considered himself cunning enough to please everybody. He forged compromises between the warring factions of his culture; he thought he could have it all.

The watchwords of today’s popular wisdom remind me of Azariah’s compromise: multiculturalism; choice; cultural blend; mutual respect; tolerance; diversity. These words do not originate out of the Bible. They represent a far cry from the “Thou shalt nots” of scripture. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.” Exodus 20:3-5. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters…”

You cannot compromise truth. Truth is absolute. If truth could be compromised, it would not be truth. No one can believe opposing doctrines at the same time. God demands more than politeness, respect or even loving affection toward truth. He wants singular devotion to it.

You cannot compromise principle. Painted up, rationalized out or covered over, wrong never morphs into righteousness. Anyone who protects the high places of sin in his life forfeits his relationship with God. “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

You cannot compromise love. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17.

What happened to Azariah? “And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land.” 2 Kings 15:5. Compromise yields leprosy, not liberty. Little good has been done when one angers God in the process of making himself happy.

Azariah was known by another name: Uzziah. This ingenious king, war hero and popular leader died a leper. His name will forever represent compromise. A contemporary prophet, Isaiah, was overtaken with admiration of this king. But Uzziah’s death did not lead Isaiah to devastation and ruin. The opposite happened. “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory”. Isaiah 6:1-6.

You may think you need to compromise with the world, the flesh and the devil to make things work in your life. Actually, compromise keeps you from seeing the full glory of God. Instead, value your integrity. Make a commitment of singular devotion to God. It will set you free.

Are You Dead or Alive?

Is it right and necessary that believers should live a separated lifestyle? Must a Christian keep his or her fleshly nature nailed to the cross? At what point do these concepts, considered by some to be homely and obsolete, lose their value to our relationship with God. Answers: Yes, yes and never. Here’s why:

We must start with the cross. Jesus Christ’s death crucified the flesh both literally and symbolically. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18

The cross was no capricious, hasty act. By crucifying the flesh, Jesus demonstrated that the flesh could not be saved! There was no sin, of course, in the flesh of Christ, but the flesh of man was wholly corrupt. Evidently, something was so wrong with man’s flesh that it could not be salvaged. In Christ, the flesh had to die so that the soul could be saved. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16. The inherent sin problem disqualified the flesh and its Adamic nature from a completely restored relationship with God.

With regard to the flesh, the crucifixion of Christ accomplished three specific goals: 1) It abolished the transgression of Adam, Romans 5:14-21, 2) it gave the nature of Adam a master, Romans 7:23-25, and 3) it made heaven accessible for the redeemed alone. Ephesians 2:15-22. Each of these accomplishments of Calvary dealt a death blow to the hegemony of the flesh.

The clincher is this: The promise of a glorified body emphatically shows that the flesh cannot be saved. “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption…for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:47-53. This transformation extends beyond physiological properties. It encompasses the nature of the flesh itself.

How does this impact our treatment of the flesh today? We do not yet have a glorified body, and we remain under the influence of Adam’s fleshly nature. Therefore, until the literal change takes place, we live our lives in a reckoning state. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11. In other words, our new, engrafted nature notifies the former landlord that a new master has taken up residence. The holiness lifestyle reflects the victory of the cross over the flesh. “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” Ephesians 2:15-16.

Believers should not be frustrated or confused by the difficulty of holy living. There will always be continual tension between the flesh and the spirit. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17. However, if we truly have faith in Christ that the spirit won the victory over the flesh, we will continually subject the flesh to the power of the crucifixion. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1.

Why, then, must not the flesh rule your life? Because when the flesh is in bondage, the Spirit has liberty. On the other hand, the believer who foolishly grants liberty to the flesh, places the Spirit in bondage. Our Christian liberty is freedom from the Mosaic ordinances, not liberty for our carnal nature and desires. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24. To abandon, discredit or ignore holiness is to negate the purpose of the crucified Christ.

Holiness, within and without, bears the closest resemblance to the crucified Christ—-symbolically and literally—-that is achievable in this life. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Who Is God?

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22.

“I am God.” This is not a scripture quotation. These were the arrogant words scrawled on a Tarot card and left at a crime scene by a stealthy sharpshooter who terrorized the nation’s capitol for twenty-three dark October days.

Whether he was suffering from schizophrenia, taunting the police or simply trying to scare the populace, his words still had a chilling affect on the country. Panic gripped us all. Was this phantom-like sniper capable of near-supernatural powers? Were we in the crosshairs of a trained CIA or military special-forces killer who snapped under pressure? Were we under attack by a hostile nation or organized terrorists? Or, did a dastardly villain of comic book proportions seek to toy with us for his own demented pleasure?

Most of us know that neither John Allen Muhammad, nor his sidekick, John Lee Malvo is God. That was never the question. The sad fact remains that many people have no idea who is God. For them, one of these cold-blooded killers could indeed be God. Or God could be a pagan deity, a cosmic force, a self-defined ideal, a figment of someone’s imagination, or even a lie. The state of confusion and ignorance existing in our world, especially in a nation founded upon faith in God, boggles the mind.

The true God revealed himself as man to man two millenniums ago. This belief is based on faith, but it is abundantly verified by the testimony of Scripture and proven by personal experience. When Jesus Christ entered the earth through Bethlehem ’s portal, the spiritual essence of Jehovah traditionally held by the Jews coalesced into a flesh-and-blood redeemer. He used the prophet Isaiah as a mouthpiece when he said, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” Isaiah 43:10-12. The invisible God made himself visible to the world in the person of Jesus Christ. John said “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. “And the Word became flesh…” John 1:14. Many other scriptures substantiate these simple declarations. But in the light of a mad murderer in the 21^st century who boasts that he is God, then what God is becomes as important as who he is.

God is good. I rejoice in God’s goodness. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good.” Psalm 106:1. The core nature of God exists in goodness. Nobility, honor, justice and truth define his intent. He nurtures, heals, comforts and helps. He inspires, lifts, blesses and anoints. While the Muhammads and Malvos of the world spew out bitterness and slaughter, God presents himself a refuge and a strong tower to all who seek him. I shudder to think of God, with all his omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence as an evil being. If that were the case, this would be a bleak world indeed.

God is great. I rejoice in God’s greatness. “Behold, God is great.” Job 36:26. The greatness of God speaks to his majesty, power and capabilities. Whatever attribute we specify, God represents it to the greatest possible degree. “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” Psalm 48:1. Any relationship with God yields rewards, thus the roots of this nation’s greatness lie in its Judeo-Christian values.

God is love. I rejoice in God’s love. “God is love.” 1 John 4:16. This marvelous fact stands in stark contrast to the spiteful killing spree visited upon Washington D. C. The man who said “I am God” left death and bloodshed in his wake. The true and living God took death upon himself and spilled his own blood for our salvation. The sniper said “I love the world so I will kill others to make it better.” Jesus said “I love the world so I will come to die for it.” Only a God of love could have drafted redemption’s plan for all mankind.

God is holy; God is merciful; God is my salvation; God is righteous; God is true; God is able; God is gracious; God is mighty; God is my defense; God is my helper; God is judge; God is a sun and shield; God is faithful, and God is God. Finally, God is. Pretenders to his throne come and go and they perish in their own lies. The true God, my God, remains.

But, What Does the Bible Say?

We who believe in Jesus’ name baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking in other tongues often find ourselves challenged by those who dismiss these doctrines. I have to say that I am always amazed by such arguments. To me, the glorious name of Jesus, taken in water baptism, is its own best advertisement. The glow on a person’s face as he or she comes up out of the water says it all. And anyone who has experienced the baptism of the Holy Ghost has personal knowledge of the power and glory it brings.

But these subjective experiences do not comprise the main reasons we enthusiastically preach Acts 2:38. A number of solid, strong principles form the basis for what we believe and teach. Take a look:

Clear and simple Bible commands. Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. “ How could it be stated more simply? Also, Acts 10:48 . “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”

An easy-to-follow scriptural pattern. As recorded in John 3:5, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God .” The water and spirit pattern recurs time and again in the scripture.

Many supporting scriptures. While we cannot list them all, many scriptures refer to the importance of Jesus’ name, water baptism, spirit baptism, tongues, and so on. For example, look at Acts 8:15-16. “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) “

Convincing Old Testament typology. Our doctrine is not based upon the Old Testament, but it is foreshadowed there. Check out the references to the Red Sea crossing as a type of baptism. (I Corinthians 10:1-4) In the brazen altar, we see repentance; in the laver of water we see baptism; in the Holy Place , we see the Holy Ghost baptism prefigured. All of these elements of typology point us toward the substance of the New Testament.

Strong Biblical exegesis. When it comes down to actual meanings contained in scriptural passages and contexts, one cannot get around the truth. Apostolic doctrine derives from the preaching and example of the original Apostles, as seen both from common sense and context standpoints. For example, to “call upon” the name of Jesus in baptism means to “invoke,” (Acts 22:16 ) thus explaining why we insist on the name of Jesus Christ being spoken over the baptismal candidate.

The original language supports it. No where is this better illustrated than in the case of baptism’s purpose. Baptism for the remission of sins as mentioned in Acts 2:38 means for the purpose of or in order to. All credible translations, along with Greek lexicons are unshakable on this. Apostolic doctrine enjoys rock solid support in the original language.

Are we making too much of scripture? Shouldn’t we soften our position to avoid being narrow or judgmental? Such characterizations of our beliefs expose the values of the critics own belief system. Once one starts rationalizing away the Scripture in order to accommodate beliefs held by those he is not willing to offend, he enters the murky waters of “nothing matters”. Does the Bible contain other truths? Yes, but not contradictory truths. Let us be careful not to negate the acts of the apostles because we prefer something less demanding.

“But, what does the Bible say?” This question will continue to be the right question to ask. We believe the Apostolic doctrine, not because we are judgmental, not because we think ourselves superior, and not because we locked in a time warp. We believe it because it is what the Bible teaches. We have no better definition of truth.