PBT - April 2008

The April issue of Plain Bible Teaching is now online with the following articles:

The Restoration Plea by Andy Sochor

Do Miracles Happen Today? by Tim Haile

The Sabbath Day by Larry R. DeVore
Some Thoughts on Persecution by Andy Sochor

You can read the new articles by clicking on the link below. I hope you may find the new material helpful to you.

Plain Bible Teaching

Choosing Sides

Exodus 32 records the sin of the Israelites in making and worshipping a golden calf. When Moses came down from the mountain, he first confronted Aaron for allowing the people to commit this iniquity (v. 21). Then he turned his attention to the people.

It is important to note that Moses did not immediately condemn the people. This is consistent with the character of God who gives men the chance to repent and come to Him (cf. Ezekiel 18:32; 2 Peter 3:9). So Moses extends this invitation -- "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me" (v. 26).

Sadly, most did not answer this call. Only those of the tribe of Levi came to Moses (v. 26). They did not think of the consequences of their decision or what might be expected of them after responding. They simply responded that they were on the Lord's side, no matter what that might mean.

But what of the others who did not respond? If they were not on the Lord's side, whose side were they on? They were on the side that opposed the Lord. Therefore, they were worthy of punishment (v. 27-28).

E.M. Zerr, in his commentary on the Old Testament, makes a good application of these verses to us today. "If a man refuses to take his stand outwardly in favor of a righteous cause he is considered as being on the wrong side" (Old Testament, Volume 1; p. 168). Refusing to take a stand is not an option. We cannot ride the fence. We must make a choice.

Of course, Jesus makes this same point, and Zerr cites this passage to back up his statement. "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (Matthew 12:30).

Are we willing to take an open stand on the Lord's side, regardless of the consequences? There are pressures all around us -- the world, our family and friends, sometimes our own brethren. We must have the resolve that we will stand with the Lord, even if it means not standing with those we love.

Belief or Disbelief?

"He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned" (Mark 16:16).

This is a pretty easy verse to understand. Jesus specifically states two things that are necessary for salvation -- belief and baptism.

Yet many claim that this is not what the passage teaches. Most of the "Christian" religions teach that baptism is not necessary for salvation. How do they explain this passage then? They see that the second part of the verse says disbelief results in condemnation, and then point out that it does not explicitly say that not being baptized will cause one to be condemned. Therefore, they say, baptism is not necessary for salvation. This type of reasoning is exactly what Paul warned about: "trickery of men...deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:14).

Read the passage again. "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."

Jesus said the one who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Therefore, both belief and baptism are necessary for salvation. Do you believe His statement? If so, and you want to be saved, that is what you will do. But if not, "he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."

Simple.

BOTC - March 2008

The new issue of Banner of the Cross is now online and contains the following articles:

His Name Is John by Andy Sochor
Explaining and Giving Evidence by Andy Sochor
A Better Sacrifice by Andy Sochor

Banner of the Cross

PBT - March 2008

The March issue of Plain Bible Teaching is now online with the following articles:

How to Approach the Bible by Andy Sochor

Making Sacrifices by Andy Sochor

Genesis: A Book of Beginnings by Andy Sochor

You can read the new articles by clicking on the link below. I hope you may find the new material helpful to you.

Plain Bible Teaching

Explaining and Giving Evidence

"And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ'" (Acts 17:2-3)

These verses are talking about Paul's teaching in the synagogue in Thessalonica. He came with the message that Jesus was the Messiah who had been prophesied of in the Old Testament.

Notice how Paul taught this message. He did not simply state his premise that Jesus was the Christ and therefore had to suffer and rise again. He explained and gave evidence. His explanations and evidence were from the Scriptures.

Paul's main point was true: the Christ had to suffer, die, and rise again and that Jesus was the Christ. But Paul did not expect them to accept this simply because he said it. He pointed them to the Scriptures and reasoned from them. He later wrote to the ones here who accepted his message, "we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). They could accept it as the word of God because they were shown that it was the word of God.

We must teach in the same way today. Never expect someone to accept a point you make, even if it's true, simply because you say it. Reason from the Scriptures. Explain and give evidence why the point is true. Our aim is to bring people to faith. Faith, the type of faith that saves, does not come by hearing what men say, but hearing that comes "by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

A Better Sacrifice

"Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:11-12).

Throughout this book, the Hebrew writer has been demonstrating why Jesus Christ and His new covenant are better than the system put in place by God through Moses. The above passage continues in this theme. It contrasts the work of the Levitical priests and the work of Christ.

The contrast is a simple one. The priests of old stand daily. Jesus sat down.

The implication is that the priests stand daily because their work was never done. Every time they offered a sacrifice, they would later have to offer another. And these sacrifices themselves would never atone for sins.

On the other hand, Jesus sat down. His work of sacrificing is done. He offered one perfect sacrifice, His life. He will never have to offer His life again, because the first offering was fully sufficient.

The lesson for the Hebrews was for them not go back to the old system. Atonement for sins and salvation is in Christ. If they deserted Him, they had no hope.

Today, there are probably not many Christians tempted to go back to Judaism. But the basic point still applies. Salvation is found only in Christ. If we desert Him, we will be lost. Let us remain faithful and devote our lives to the One who offered His life on the cross for us.