|
A
monthly
newsletter produced in cooperation with
Farmersville and Dixie Primitive Baptist Churches.
May/June 2002
“The Tithe;
the Letter or the Spirit?”
Today we hear a lot of talk on the subject of tithing from
many of the very prominent preachers, saying that God has
given us no, they say that He has commanded that we
are to “tithe” of all that we possess. That we are to give
ten percent of our gross income to God, and if we do He will
in turn look down and see what we are doing and bless us.
And after all it is our duty...RIGHT...RIGHT? And we are
given to understand that our money is really needed. Nothing
can be accomplished without our help. First ask for money,
and if you can’t send anything, at least pray for their
work. So much is needed to pay for full time salaried
preachers, youth directors, bus ministries, gymnasiums,
Sunday school classes, etc. etc., and lets not forget about
all of those foreign “missionaries” that need some money. It
becomes very clear to everyone that there is a need to do
so. Not because of what the word of God has anything to say
about it, but more so because it takes a whole lot of money
to be able to pay anyone to do all of these things of which
it seems that God can’t get done without our help!
And I recall reading somewhere that in the early 1880’s that
it was estimated that it would only require about 6 cents
per person to evangelize the world! Why as recently as two
or three years ago just one trip to the Philippines by two
“New Missionary Primitive Baptist” cost $25,969! And the
list goes on and on. And we hear the cry by these saying,
“pass around the plate, support the evangelistic work! And I
might add that the phrase evangelistic work is the new word
used for modern missionary work.
Well, that’s enough said about that, let’s get on with
something more profitable to God’s people. Let’s ask
ourselves a few questions. First, what exactly is tithing?
Is it really taught in the Bible? And if so, ought we not to
put it into practice? And does it belong in our Old Line
Churches today?
Consider this, there are two principles in the thought of
“tithing.” The first is a physical one, while the second is
spiritual. And the first principle points to the second. We
will explore these two principles and begin to see the love
of God, and the provision for His covenant people.
Beloved we need to seek out the Holy Ghost to enable us to
“rightly divide the word of truth,” and applying ourselves
to the study of the scriptures in order to understand this
important subject, as well as the proper application of it
in our lives.
You will recall that we stated the first principle is
physical, and that the first principle points us to the
second principle. We find the first principle in the Lord’s
commandment to the children of Israel to pay a “tithe” in
the land. And this “tithe” was to be taken from the first
fruits of “the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree
or from firstlings of their flocks.” These “first fruits”
point to our Lord Jesus Christ, “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”
(Col. 1:15-18).
When we take the time to examine the first principle we find
that this “tithe” was designed to serve one very special
purpose. And that purpose was too physically support the
Levite that is within the gates of the nation of Israel. And
in this service the Children of Israel were required to
rejoice in the Lord, in all that He had blessed them in
(Read carefully Num. 18:24-34; Deut. 12:17-19, 14:22-29).
The “tithe” was given in the form of a 10% “tax” imposed on
the nation of Israel. And if you don’t pay there was even a
5% penalty added. You may be asking, why impose a tax?
Because God knows the heart of the flesh, He knows that the
natural or carnal mind is at it’s very best corrupt, and
selfish. In Malachi 3:7-10, speaking to Israel the Lord God
says, “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away
from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto
me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But
ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye
have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In
tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye
have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the
tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine
house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts,
if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you
out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to
receive it.” And beloved these things have been written “for
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4)
And we are told that the Children of Israel were to bring
this “tithe” to the place where God chooses to place His
name. So they were to collect their “tithe,” and carry it to
the tabernacle and later on the Temple at Jerusalem, and
present it to the Levites.
Why the Levites? The answer to that question is that the
Levites were to do the service of the priesthood in the
Tabernacle of God. Because that among the Children of Israel
in the land of Canaan the Levites had no inheritance (See
Num. 18:20-24; Deut. 14:22-29). That is they had no land of
their own. They were to serve the Lord in the Tabernacle,
and the Temple. So this “tithe” served as their only means
of financial support. So the “tithe” would supply their
needs, so that they would not be forsaken in their ministry.
So what if someone was unable to bring their first fruits to
Jerusalem, maybe because of their age, or there was too much
for them to carry? Well, in that case they were to sell that
portion of their first fruits and “turn it into money,” and
bring the sum of it with them to Jerusalem. And when they
arrived they were to take that money and purchase food,
bring it to the Lord, and take the money “for oxen, or for
sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever
thy soul desireth,” and then they were to “eat there before
the LORD” their “God,” and they were to “rejoice” with all
of their “household.”
And added to that every 3 years the Children of Israel were
to come, and when they arrived, they were to set all of this
“tithe” within the gates of the city so that along with the
Levites, “the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow,
which are within thy gates,” could come, and “eat and be
satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the
work of thine hand which thou doest.”
And then later on we find in 2 Chron. 31:3, that the Lord
also appointed the king’s a portion or “tithe” of another 5%
of their “substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the
morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings
for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set
feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.” And that
was to be on top of what they gave the Levites!
To illustrate how well this law works, by that I mean how
well that the flesh responds in keeping the law of the
“tithe,” and please make no mistake about it, this is a law,
lets read the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 23:
23, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the
weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:
these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other
undone.” In keeping the law they had only done what was
required on the surface of the law. Only the part of the law
that could be seen by men! They had tithed even down to
their spices. But beloved they had “omitted,” or left out,
neglected, and completely ignored the “weightier” or
far-reaching and significant “matters of the law.” They left
off the second principle that concerned the law of the
tithe, which Jesus says was, “judgment, mercy, and faith!”
Let me give you an example in Mark 7: 8-13, Jesus said that
the Jews were laying aside God’s commandments, and in there
place followed after the traditions of men with such things
“as the washing of pots and cups.” He said, “Full well ye
reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own
tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honour thy father and thy
mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the
death:’ But ye say, if a man shall say to his father or
mother, ‘it is Corban,’ that is to say, a gift, ‘by
whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be
free.’ And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father
or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through
your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like
things do ye.” They were saying that it was perfectly
alright for a man to disregard his needy parents, telling
them, ‘sorry, I can’t help you! Because I have given to God
what would have been given to you.’
The “tithers” of today display a spirit of covetousness,
when they come and put pressure put on people to pay their
fair share? Why sometimes if they can’t or won’t pay their
far share or their tithe, the “tithers” will even take them
to a court of law, to try to force them to pay up! They are
no different than those in our Lord‘s day of whom He said in
Matthew 23:4, “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to
be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they
themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”
With the coming of our lord Jesus Christ into the world
fulfilling the law “to a jot and a tittle,” knowing that it
was He himself who said, “the law and the prophets were
until John’ (the Baptist) ‘since that time the kingdom of
God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke
16:16). So the law of tithing ended with John’s ministry!
Now, our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ has “made us able
ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of
the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth
life” (1 Cor. 3:6). And whoever follows after the letter of
the law, is also under its “curse! (Gal 3:10).
Lets apply this truth to our lives today. Consider this,
when we follow after the law, we are under obligation to
keep it. And not only so but we must keep it to the letter!
And if we fail to keep it in ONE POINT, we become guilty of
the whole law!” (Gal. 5:3; James 2:10).
But Jesus in His Mountain Sermon placed the letter of the
law along side of the Spirit of the Law; which is the second
principle, for example He said of the letter of the law,
“whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a
writing of divorcement.” Then Jesus reveals the second
principle of the heart of the law, which is the very heart
of God, adding, “that whosoever shall put away his wife,
saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit
adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced
committeth adultery.” When we read all of Matthew 5:31-44,
we are made to see the heart of the Holy Spirit, which is
life, peace and joy in the Kingdom Church of Christ.
In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus gives us a view of the heart of the
law of the tithe when he says, “take heed that ye do not
your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have
no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when
thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They
have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy
left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms
may be in secret.” And where is that “secret” place? I
contend that it is the heart of the born again Child of God!
It is that hidden place of which the world cannot go! We are
to go in and close our heart’s door, and shut out the
corruption of the world, and God the Father who sees in the
secret places of our heart “shall reward thee openly.”
The second principle is giving from the heart! The Apostle
Paul said, “Every man according as he purposeth in his
heart, so let him give; not grudgingly,’ (miserly,
covetously, or selfishly) ‘or of necessity:’ (because we are
under the law,) ‘for God loveth a cheerful giver” (1 Cor.
9:7). Here it is! Here is the very heart of the matter! It
is a matter of not a law, a tax or heavy burden! It’s the
heart! Giving as the Lord shows us the need! When we see our
brother’s need, and as He gives us a purpose in our heart!
No a tenth of our income! No, a thousand times no! But like
the widow in Mark 12:42-44, who gave from her heart all that
she had! The Lord said, “That this poor widow hath cast more
in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all
they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did
cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
We are to give our all! All of our being! Giving out of not
only our money and resources, but of our time, and our
prayers! Not 10% of the time! Giving of whatever the Lord
places in our heart to give. Knowing that “he which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Not according to
the letter which “killeth,” but of the “Spirit” which is
life, joy and peace!
And in closing let me clarify by saying this, if we see that
our brother is hungry the love of God in our heart says we
are to feed him! If we know that he is sick we pray and
visit him. When we see that the kitchen floor needs to be
swept, we get a broom and sweep the floor. We are there for
our brothers and sisters because we love them from our
hearts. We give to those who ask of us. And forbid not those
who seek to borrow from us. Asking nothing in return. And
the Lord who seeth us in secret will reward us openly.
God bless us to follow after the love of the Spirit.
Elder Thomas McDonald
Redeeming The Time
As we grow older, time becomes a precious commodity. We
begin to see that time is fast passing by. When I was a
child I thought that I would never get grown and that the
years were just creeping by. Now that I’m much older, I can
look back over my life and see and wonder why I wasted so
much time. Last Christmas my wife asked me after Christmas
to take down the tree and put it away. I replied, “You’ll be
asking me in just a few days to put it back up again.” At
least with time passing so swiftly it seems like such a
short time from year to year.
The Bible says in Eph. 5:15, 16, “See then that ye walk
circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the
time, because the days are evil.” Job says in Job 14:1, 2,
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of
trouble. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down: he
fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.” James says in
4:14, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For
what is your life? It is even as a vapour, that appeareth
for a little time and then vanished away.” Is this not how
our lives are? We come into this world, live a little while
and pass from the scenes of life. We ought to live and
treasure every minute of our lives giving God all the honor
and glory for every blessing he has bestowed upon us.
When God first created man, he lived to be 8 to 9 hundred
years old. In Genesis chapter 6 verse 3, “And the Lord said,
“My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he
also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty
years.” In Ps.90:10, 12, “The days of our years are
threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they
be four score years, yet is their strength, labor, and
sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. So teach us
to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto
wisdom.” I think the above scripture teaches us that each
day is a special day and we only have but few days. Is.
40:6-8 says, “The voice said, cry. And he said, What shall I
cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is
as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower
fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it:
surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower
fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.”
Ps. 39:5 says, “Behold, thou hast made my days as an
handbreath; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily
every man at his best state is altogether vanity. David
describes our life as a handbreath which is a Linear measure
varying from 2 ½” to 4". This is a very short measure. Ps.
144:4 says, “Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow
that passeth away.”
Ps. 103: 15-18 says, “As for man, his days are as grass: as
a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind
passeth over it and it is gone; and the place thereof shall
know it no more. But the Mercy of the Lord is from
everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his
righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his
covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do
them.”
Elder Cecil Johnson
The
Differences with Calvinism Part 5
By Todd Nunley, Denton Primitive Baptist Church
We do many things where people outside of our church do not
understand why we do certain things. Just as with this, many
do not understand why we do not do certain things as well.
If there is one thing that I am thankful for, it is the
church that the Lord established, which stands upon that
rock, and that rock is Jesus Christ. The true church that
does not waiver but stands firm on the truth and according
to “Thus Saith the Lord.” We know from reading the
scriptures that what understanding we have, comes only by
and from the Holy Spirit. Many attempt, in vain, to gain an
understanding of the bible by “leaning upon their own
understanding” rather than leaning upon the Lord for that
understanding.
In previous writings, I have attempted to speak on things
that the Lord has laid upon my heart to write. Whatever I
have written, I know that the Lord placed it in my heart and
that it did not come from me. For in this flesh, as Paul
stated, there is no good thing. I also know that what is
written, is for the glory of the Lord and not the flesh.
Unfortunately, there are many in so-called churches today,
which would rather give all the glory to the flesh than to
the Lord. With this comment, I would like to attempt to
write about another difference that we, as primitive
Baptists, have with not only the Calvinists but with most of
the churches in this world. The difference I am speaking of
is the seminary trained pastor or preacher.
While being raised in a Calvinistic church, I noticed that
most, if not all, of the pastors were trained and/or taught
by one of several different seminaries around the country,
if not world. Moreover, if these preachers were not
personally trained or taught in a seminary, then they were
trained by one who was. Some of these pastors have or had
bachelors’ degrees, some with masters’ degrees and some with
a doctorate degree. Nevertheless, one thing they all had in
common was their training, schooling or teaching in what
many colleges call religious studies. Now, I am not saying
that they are not a child of God but rather attempt to lean
upon their own understanding or understanding from another
man rather than waiting upon the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah
40:28-31)
In many churches across this land, there are those who fill
the pulpit that view this more as a vocation or job rather
than what it was meant to be, a workman or laborer.
Moreover, these same men are more interested in the salary
they are paid rather than speaking the truth or standing on
“Thus Saith the Lord.” As far as a salaried pastor goes,
this will be saved for another time however, those that see
this as a “job” are walking blindly after their own desires,
which includes both greed and pride.
First, we know that the scriptures tell us that preachers or
gospel ministers are God called. If God chose a people
(before the foundation of the world, which HE did), then it
is not difficult to understand that God chose or continues
to choose a gospel minister. Just a side note here, a gospel
minister is not to go out into the world and attempt to
populate heaven, nor is he to attempt to make “sheep” out of
goats, even though we see this happening, which is done so
in vain. The purpose for a gospel preacher is to preach the
good news of Jesus Christ, to the saints, or a regenerate
child of God, which is to instruct us in our daily lives and
walk with the Lord. In other words, it is not to teach us of
Jesus Christ but about HIM.
It is written in the gospel of John that Jesus Christ chose
the apostles and they did not choose HIM. John 15:16, “Ye
have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” Additionally,
Luke 10:1, 2 tells us of the seventy that the Lord appointed
as ministers and directed them into every city, “After these
things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them
two and two before his face into every city and place,
whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he unto
them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few:
pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would
send forth labourers into his harvest.” Notice that the
scriptures tell us that it was the Lord who chose the
apostles AND (gospel) ministers and it was not man who chose
or made the direction. If a person believes that the Lord is
directing him to preach, he should exercise that calling to
see that it is sure. Again, the Lord chose the apostles and
ministers and was not decided on by man.
Secondly, did any of the prophets during the Old Testament
or the apostles in the New Testament attend any type of
“seminary” or training? The answer would be a definite, no.
In fact, I do not believe that we can find one single verse
telling us that each of the prophets and/or apostles had any
similar type of seminary or college training. We have
several examples to choose from such as Enoch and Noah, who
had no form of training to preach the gospel. Moses, who may
have been Egyptian learned, became so prideful (which
disqualified him from leading the children of Israel) that
God saw fit to hide him in the wilderness for forty years
and train him in the desert before commissioning him to
undertake the leadership of Israel. Each of the apostles
were chosen by our Lord and was “all taught by God” (John
6:45). Additionally, each prophet and/or apostle that is
mentioned in the Bible spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost, not as they were directed by man.
Thirdly, attending a seminary to be trained on what to speak
and how to do this is dishonoring to God. How is attending a
seminary dishonoring God you ask? When a man is called of
God to preach the gospel, God qualifies him by HIS Spirit
for that work. Nowhere do the scriptures say that this
person should attend training for it. It is ridiculous to
believe that God only calls a man to go to a seminary and
leave this matter entirely with that school, to teach him
how to preach and then assign him his field of labor. This
not only dishonors God but also robs HIM of HIS glory and
makes HIM subservient to the intelligence or wisdom of man.
In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus Christ asks Simon Peter, “But
whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God.” Christ replies to Peter
by saying in verse 17, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for
flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my
Father which is in heaven.” The Apostle Paul, in his letter
to the church at Corinth, even tells us his method of
preaching. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, “And I, brethren, when I
came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of
wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I
determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus
Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness,
and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my
preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but
in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your
faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the
power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10 goes on to say that it was
the Holy Spirit that revealed that knowledge or
understanding he had and that it did not come from man or
man’s teaching, “But God hath revealed them unto us by His
Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep
things of God.” Again, we see so many “churches” that think
they are more intelligent than God HIMSELF! If they deny
this, then I would ask why do they train people in their own
(fleshly) ideas on how a Shepard is to tend to the flock and
why do they add things to the worship of God that are
unscriptural and anti-Christ. Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus saith the
LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old
paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall
find rest for your souls.” When the Lord tells us that we
should ask for the “old paths, where is the good way, and
walk therein,” why must man look for ways to add to the
scriptures? My answer would be that this shows the filth and
depravity of man and how he attempts to boast his prideful
nature, lifting himself above an Almighty God.
Fourthly, God never calls a man to preach and then send him
to man (i.e. seminary) to be qualified. Human learning does
not lead to Christ, nor does it qualify a man to preach the
gospel. 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us that the natural man
(flesh) can not receive those things which are spiritual.
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he
know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” If we
look a little further in 1 Corinthians 3:19, we see that the
wisdom of the world is foolishness with God, “For the wisdom
of this world is foolishness with God.” It is the Holy
Spirit who gives a minister of the gospel the understanding
of HIS word. Job asks and answers this in Job 36:22,
“Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?”
Who else can teach (a man) as God can? 1 Corinthians 2:
12,13, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the
things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things
also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual
things with spiritual.” Notice in verse 13 that it is not
man’s wisdom that we have understanding but it is the Holy
Spirit that teaches us. How can a man, which is of the
flesh, teach “spiritual things”? Answer, he cannot!
When we look around us today, we see so many different types
of churches and beliefs. Moreover, if we look deeper into
these churches or belief systems, there should be certain
criteria or marks that are manifested to be a true apostolic
church. Of those criteria, there is one mark that deals
specifically with the ministry and their qualifications. The
qualifications that one should exhibit are plainly laid out
in the New Testament and they are to be a “regenerated,
Christ loving, God called and God qualified man.” 1 Timothy
3:2-7 gives us the qualifications of a God called minister.
“2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality,
apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of
filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to
rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of
God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he
fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must
have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall
into reproach and the snare of the devil.
I will make a few side notes regarding the qualifications.
The bible is plain in telling us that a minister must be a
man and nowhere gives these qualifications in regards to a
woman. Verse 2 tells us the “ the husband of one wife,”
This verse is specifically speaking of a male and not a
female for how can a female be a husband? Further, down in
verses 4 – 7, we see the words “his”, “he” and “man”, which
is speaking of the male gender. Unfortunately, there seems
to be an increasingly number of so-called churches allowing
women to stand in their pulpit or take leadership roles.
This is totally contrary to the scriptures and not according
to “Thus Saith the Lord.”
Notice that the qualifications nowhere state that a gospel
minister must be educated or learned. If this were the case,
then how does one explain the case for the Apostles Peter
and John? The scriptures are clear in telling us that they
were “unlearned and ignorant men” If the bible tells us
that a gospel minister must be a well-educated (in a worldly
sense) man, then why doesn’t it say so? I believe that it
does not because if a man is truly God called, then the Lord
will give him an understanding of the scriptures, which He
sees fit. Now that person who may be called by God to speak
must, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. It is also interesting to note that
the words workman and labourers are used only in the New
Testament.
Now, if God wanted His workmen or labourers to be educated
in a worldly manner, I believe the scriptures would have
clearly stated so. It seems awfully strange how the apostles
and later, the gospel ministers were not given direction by
the Lord to “get educated.” On the contrary, the scriptures
plainly tell us in both the Old and New Testament that it is
the Lord that gives us the understanding we have. Luke
24:45, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might
understand the scriptures,” Ephesians 1:17, 18, “17 That the
God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give
unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being
enlightened;..” 2 Timothy 2:7, “Consider what I say; and the
Lord give thee understanding in all things.”
I have heard many ask, “what is wrong with sending someone
to the seminary?” First, we see where the seminary got it’s
beginning and why. The first so-called “Christian”
theological school was established at Alexandria, Egypt,
about 180 A.D., and lasted about two hundred years. The
earliest teachers were Pantaenus and Clement, who were
“converted” heathen philosophers, and their principal aim
seems to have been to teach so-called “Christian” tradition,
to transform Christianity into philosophy, to depreciate
humble faith and exalt lordly knowledge. It was also to base
human salvation upon the natural free will of man, declaring
that the first motion from sin to holiness must and can be
made by the sinner himself. This sounds no different from
what is preached in the Arminian churches and what is taught
in the seminaries of today.
Most seminaries today are ran by a man made board believing
and teaching those ideas that are put forth by man rather
than God. These seminaries are backed by many different
churches of today such as the southern Baptist churches,
Pentecostal churches, catholic churches, Methodist churches,
and the list goes on. To have an accurate look at each of
these churches would take a considerable amount of time
however, to shorten this somewhat, we can see that each of
these so-called churches began because those “hard shalls”
were hard to swallow. And as typical for prideful man, began
their own so-called religion and hid behind the Lord Jesus
Christ, calling it a “church.”
If one that reads this, can show me where the apostles held
a ministerial school, please enlighten this poor wretched
sinner. Nevertheless, I do not believe that it will ever be
found in the Bible because it is not of God. Just as there
has been many other things added to the church even by some
who call themselves, primitive Baptist.
In closing, I would like to quote two verses that I believe
will knit this attempt to speak of theological seminaries
together, John 14:26 and 1 John 2:27. John 14:26, “But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring
all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto
you.” Notice that Jesus Christ tells the apostles that the
Holy Ghost shall teach them all things and bring all things
to remembrance that HE has told them. I believe this to be
the same for those who are called to spread the good news of
Jesus Christ to HIS elect. In addition, if we look further
up in this chapter we see in verse 17 that the Spirit of
truth; whom the world cannot receive, shall be in us.
Therefore, we see that it is not man that teaches the
spiritual things to a child of God or to a gospel minister
but is only by the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2:27, “But the
anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and
ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is
no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in
him.” In this verse, the anointing that is spoken of is from
the Holy Spirit and is plain in telling us that “ye need not
that any man teach you:” If the scriptures tell us that we
do not need the teaching from man, which it is, then why do
so many seek man’s opinion on the scriptures? In most of the
churches today, we see so called gospel ministers utilizing
the writings of men, rather than rightly dividing the word
of truth and placing it into its proper application. In
addition, in some churches you will even see the pictures of
preachers who lived in years past hanging in and around
their church building. This, in my humble opinion, is giving
man (or the flesh) and particularly those men, more glory
than God HIMSELF! How typical for the depraved flesh seeking
to boast itself.
Theological seminaries are not of God and should not be seen
as such. There is no scriptural basis for them and only seek
to publish man’s (prideful) opinion on God’s Holy Word. I
hope and pray that I have not said anything to offend anyone
but I believe that the scriptures are clear on this topic.
May the Lord bless you and your family.
Justified by Works
In Romans chapter four Paul affirms that we are not
justified by works. In James chapter two verse twenty four
James says, “Ye see then how that by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only.” We are told to study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Since we
know that the scripture cannot be broken, i.e., contradict
itself, we must conclude that the above scriptures likewise
can be perfectly harmonized.
When it comes to those things that bring about our eternal
salvation from sin and ultimate glorification, we are not
justified by works:
1. God’s election of a people is not of or by works: Rom.
9:11-13, “For the
children being not yet born, neither having done any good or
evil, that the purpose of God according to election might
stand, not of works but of him that calleth; it was said
unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is
written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Also
Rom. 11:5, 6 reads, “Even so then at this present time also
there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And
if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is
no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more
grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
2. The new or spiritual birth is not of works: Tit. 3:5,
“Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy
he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of
the Holy Ghost. Also, Eph. 2:8-10, “For by grace are ye
saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the
gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. For we
are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them.”
3. Our salvation from sin is not of works: II Tim. 1:9, “Who
hath saved us and
called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given
us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” Also, Rom. 3:20,
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of
sin.”
Thus we conclude that God’s choice of a people to be his
before the foundation of the world, our spiritual birth, and
our salvation from sin is by grace and not by works. Those
things which pertain to our eternal salvation and
justification are by grace and not by works. We are
eternally justified freely by his grace through the shed
blood of Jesus: Rom. 3:24, “Being justified freely by his
grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
The scriptures, however, also teach a justification by
works, but in another court room. Justification by works
takes place in the court room of men’s opinions. II Pet.
3:10 reads, “Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence
to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these
things, ye shall never fall.” We ask, who can we make our
calling and election sure to? Obviously we cannot make them
sure to God, for it is He who chose us in Christ before the
world began, and it is He who calls us into spiritual life.
We read, “The foundation of God standeth sure, having this
seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his...” Obviously God
knows who he elected and who he called, thus the assurance
is to ourselves that we may assure ourselves that we are
called of God and chosen of God. We can assure ourselves of
our calling and election by being fruit inspectors. Matt.
7:15-2- reads, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you
in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of
thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit...Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” While
this was written about the identity of the false prophet,
yet these great principles of truth tell us about ourselves
as well.
The natural man is as the corrupt tree. Paul said that “I
know that in me, that is in my flesh dwelleth no good
thing.” David said that he was conceived in sin and shapened
in iniquity. Thus we are sinners from conception bearing a
sin-cursed nature. According to Gal. 5:19-21 all the works
of the flesh are evil. Also 1 Cor. 2:14 reads, “The natural
man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they
are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because
they are spiritually discerned.” Man by nature is a totally
corrupt tree only capable of bringing forth corruption. When
God’s elect are born spiritually from above they then come
into possession of a new nature. According to 1 Pet. 1:23,
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth
forever.” This new nature is incorruptible. According to I
John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin,
because his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,
because he is born of God.” The spiritual inner man of the
child of God is like the good tree that only brings forth
good fruit.
Those who are not born again can only bear the evil
(natural) fruit. Whereas, those who have been born again are
capable of bearing both the natural (evil) fruit and the
spiritual (good) fruit. The fruit of the Spirit (good fruit)
is described in Gal. 5:22 as “love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and
temperance.” When we can see this fruit (works) being
manifest in our lives then we can identify ourselves as
possessors of the good tree (spiritual life) and identify
ourselves as of the called and elect of God. Thus in our own
opinion we are justified (declared to be called and elect)
by works. Likewise when we see such fruit (works) in others
we have assurance that they are the called and elect of God.
In Phil 4:3 Paul wrote, “And I entreat thee also, true yoke
fellow, help those women which labored with me in the
gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow
laborers, whose names are in the book of life.” Paul was
sure that those he mentioned were written in the book of
life, not because he was given a special look into that
book, but rather, because he saw their works which was
evidence to him that they were written therein. They were
justified, in his opinion, by works.
Elder Vernon Johnson
|
