The Proclaimer

PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD

Edited and Published by Jack Critchfield

In This Issue:
God's Plan For The Family Part 2
Is This The Pastor
Acceptable Level of Defects
"I Was Formerly..."

God's Plan For The Family
Part 2 (continued from Feb. 2000)
Jack Critchfield

Throughout Paul's discussion of marriage and childrearing (Eph. 5:21-6:4), he constantly refers to an atmosphere in which family members and protected. So a husband will not be threatened by a wife who submits (Eph. 5:22). So a wife will not be afraid of a husband who dies to self for his wife (Eph. 5:25) or who treats his wife as his own body (Eph. 5:28-29). So parents will not be pressured by kids who honor them (Eph 6:1) and children will not be angered by parents who nurture (Eph. 6:4). A family is to be a group of people who make it safe to live, to work, to worship, to succeed and to fail, without threat or intimidation or fear.

A home should be a place where everyone is safe from abuse. Our society takes spanking and too often turns it into pain, fear or worse. Society deals with that by making laws and taking steps to protect children. What child should need protection from a parent? Every child should feel safe to come home, even when that child is in trouble and deserves punishment. I never enjoyed facing my folks when I was in trouble. But I was never physically afraid of either of them. They would discipline, they love and they would forgive.

A wife should have that same sense of safety. When Adam met his bride they "were naked and were not ashamed" (Gen. 2:25). This first couple had no barriers between them. No matter how pretty or ugly she was, no matter how thin or obese, no matter how tall or short, she was accepted and loved by Adam. Eve returned this love to Adam, so that both could be completely transparent, physically and emotionally, and not be at risk. In too many homes today, spouses are afraid to be honest with each other. They are afraid of criticism, or of an explosion that would be even more pain than holding in the truth. Every marriage should be built on a foundation of transparency in which both partners can be honest even when wrong, and not be afraid harmed emotionally or physically.

But homes also need to be a safe place to risk. Paul tells husbands that Jesus died for the church, "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:27). Jesus died to encourage the church to become all that God wanted us to be, pure and holy. In the same way, husbands should die to self that their wives can shine in all their glory and become all God wants them to be. Wives should do the same for husbands. Parents must do this for their kids.

A family should be a safe place to risk being more, knowing more, trying more, learning more. Some families are so critical, so harsh, so discouraging that no one ever succeeds. A family built on God's plan encourages its members to grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. I want my wife to be happy, to be satisfied and to accomplish all she can in life for herself, for us and for God. I want my kids to go farther, to do more, to know more, to love more than I have. I want my children to know God better and to serve Him better than I have. To do this they must risk new things, take chances that might not work just right. But a family should be a place in which that sort of risk can be taken.

Repeatedly in Ephesians 5:21-6:4 Paul gives the key to having a family based on God's plan. "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (5:22). "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (5:24). "Children, obey your parents in the Lord" (Eph. 6:1). "Fathers... bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). The key to all family functioning is having God and Jesus at the center.

So wives submit, not because their particular prince charming deserves it, but because that is what Jesus wants. So husbands die to self, not because their particular bride is wonderful and perfect, but because Jesus wants it. So children obey parents, not because parents are always right or smarter, but because, in the Lord, that is what we are asked to do. Finally, parents are gentle and disciplining, not because their kids are perfect and deserve good parents, but because that is the will of God.

This means that the family is the ground for being Christians. It is at home that we learn about mercy, about grace, about righteousness, about faithfulness. It is at home that we learn about turning the other cheek, going the second mile and giving up our rights. And we do all this because it is God's will, not because the people in our homes deserve it. Too many families are built on the idea of "you go first." In God's plan it is always the believer who "goes first" by dying to self and submitting to the others.

To answer the questions that were asked at the beginning of part one, we can change homes by be aggressive in ministering to families as they learn the skills of modeling, transparency, and denial. Churches and believers can teach and practice these skills so that the world comes to us, not because we have good ideas, but because God's plan, put in action in our lives actually works!

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The stronger your faith in God, the fewer the problems and worries you'll have to deal with on your own.

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"Is This The Pastor?"
Jack Critchfield

It was not unusual for a salesman, a person looking for a hand out or even occasionally someone seeking counsel or advice to call the meeting house of the local congregation. Almost invariably they would begin by asking, "Is this the pastor?" It has become common place among religious organizations to refer to their evangelist as "pastor". We are even seeing this starting to happen in the Lord's church. I try to be nice when someone makes this statement, but I am an evangelist, not a pastor.

The word "pastor (or pastors)" is found only once in the New Testament. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers" (Eph. 4:11). It comes from a Greek word "poimen" and is usually translated "shepherd." When God's people are viewed as a flock, the overseers who feed and protect them are called shepherds or pastors. According to the pattern we find in the New Testament, each local church had a plurality of such overseers, more commonly referred to as bishops or elders. A careful study will show that the terms bishop, overseer, elder, and pastor, are four different terms used to describe the same individuals, Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7; 1 Pet. 5:1-4.

The qualifications a man must meet before he can be appointed as a pastor (bishop or elder) in the Lord's church are listed in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Therefore, an unmarried man may be an evangelist, but he cannot be a pastor in a church that is following the New Testament pattern. A man may move into a new community where no one knows him and do an excellent job as local preacher, but a newcomer cannot adequately serve as an overseer where he knows neither the flock nor the community.

Granted, it is most likely that there were men already doing some of the work a shepherd must do, even before being appointed to that work, but they were not really overseers until they were appointed as such (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). I have planted a garden a few times, and even gotten some of it to grow. But that does not make me a farmer. Occasionally an evangelist may do some of the work that falls into the category of the pastor's domain, but that still does not make him a pastor. Until the time comes that he has met all the qualifications necessary for a pastor, and the local congregation sees fit to appoint him, along with other qualified men, to serve as one of the overseers, he will never be a pastor.

The clergy/lay distinction is quite wide spread in religious circles and has given rise to the "pastor' system. Yet in the New Testament, such distinctions are completely unknown. Every Christian is a priest. 1 Pet 2:5 reads, "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." As such each should minister to the extent of his or her ability and opportunity in harmony with the revealed will of God. "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen," (1 Pet. 4:11). A pastor does not set himself apart from others by a special collar or robe. He is simply a faithful Christian, recognized by his brethren as having spiritual maturity and leadership qualities, and appointed to lead them spiritu-ally for the good of their souls. Some preachers qualify for this work and some have been appointed to it, but most preachers are not pastors in the New Testament sense, and most pastors are not preachers in the normal sense of the word.

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"In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress."

Psa 71:1-3

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Acceptable Level Of Defects
By Glen Young

The following is said to be a "true story." It speaks to the quality of Japanese Products and their standards. It also speaks to the American culture and its' mind set.

The computer giant, IBM decided to have some parts manufactured in Japan as a trial project. In the specifications, IBM stated that they would accept three defective parts per 10,000.

When the delivery arrived, there was an accompanying letter that said, "We, Japanese people, had a hard time understanding North American business practices. But the three defective parts per 10,000 have been separately manufactured and have been included in the consignment. Hope this pleases you."

As illustrated in our "true story," Americans are conditioned to expect defective products. It seems strange to us that people actually exist who believe ever product they produce and sell should be absolutely free from defects.

Americans have been taught to loathe perfection. The mantra of the masses is, "Nobody is perfect! We all have our weaknesses! I'm only human!" With this cry on societies' collective lips, we have seen our education system dumbed down. We have seen craftsmanship all but disappear. And last, but not least, we have seen a moral decline in our society that is only rivaled by Sodom and Gomorrah.

It can be expected that people of the world will view their sins as defects in human nature. It is also expected that they will proclaim a certain number of these so-called defects as being acceptable. After all, we're only human, right!

How many "defects" should Christians willingly accept in their own spiritual lives? "So, there is some greed, gossip and lust. Hey, three defects per ten thousand that is still acceptable! After all, we're only human! And besides, who wants to be a selfrighteous Pharisee!" Is it the Christian's goal to get our "defects" down to an "acceptable" level? Or, should the Christian's goal be to get rid of them all?

By now, some are saying, "we'll never achieve that level of perfection in this life." Maybe, but what is our goal? Is it our goal to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48)? How much sin should a Christian willingly tolerate before it becomes "unacceptable?" Is forsaking the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:24-25) acceptable? Then why not adultery or murder or homosexuality?

In dealing with a misconception of grace, Paul wrote, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?" (Romans 6:1-2). The apostle John expressed the Christian's goal this way, "My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin..." (1 John 2:1).

The Christian dare not take solace in his weaknesses. He must gird his spiritual loins with the girdle of faithfulness that he may win the victory. That should be every Christian's goal!

Via The Road Creek church of Christ Bulletin

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"In a time where capital punishment is considered barbaric, medicine alleviates much of our suf-fering, we are pampered and coddled on every hand, convinced we are not to be denied the slightest comfort, Jesus' instruction to take up our crosses and follow Him can seem like a meaningless metaphor. If we understood it, it would shock us to the marrow of our bones."

Oscar C. Miles

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"I Was Formerly..."
Paul R. Blake

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (1 Timothy 1:15). What joy it gives to the penitent believer to know that upon baptism into Christ his sins are all forgiven! From the beginning, humankind has sought to return to fellowship with God after losing that blessed Garden of Eden relationship with Him (Acts 17:26-28). Now in Jesus Christ, one can be free from that which separates him from God... sin.

The apostle Paul describes himself as the former chief of sinners. Before he obeyed the gospel, he was a persecutor of Christians. In Galatians 1:13, he describes his activities: "...I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it." In Acts 9, he sought a commission from the high priest to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them to Jerusalem for trial. So eager was he to hinder the work of the Lord that he traveled in the middle of the day, refusing to seek shelter from the hot sun until the temperature became more suitable for journeying. Jesus characterizes Saul's zealous anti-Christian fervor as self-destructive. He said that Saul was kicking against the goads (Acts 9:5). An ox goad was designed to prod the animal in the direction desired by the master. For the ox to kick back into the point of the goad was to risk impalement on the goad. Saul was kicking against Christ to his self-injury. Jewish historian and secretary to Golda Meir wrote that the two things that did the most damage to first century Judaism were the fall of Jerusalem to Titus in 70 AD and the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. That Saul was an enemy of Christ is beyond dispute.

However, Paul praised God for the forgiveness of these sins. Though he was an insolent man, he obtained mercy; though he was a blasphemer, he became the beneficiary of God's grace; though he was a persecutor, he was treated patiently by the Lord (1 Timothy 1:13-16). In addition, Paul expressed wonder that Jesus would put him into the ministry that he might preach the gospel he once tried to destroy.

Paul was blessed. Even though he was a sinner, he was forgiven of those sins. In spite of the fact that he once hated Christians, he was now permitted to convert others to Christ. End of story? Other than having obeyed the gospel, what significant change made it possible for Paul to rejoice in his saved state? He abhorred and forsook the sins he once committed.

It is not insignificant that Paul said: "...I was FORMERLY (emphasis mine - prb) a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man..." (1 Timothy 1:13). Paul was not a blasphemer, persecutor, nor an insolent man any longer. He had given these things up. He told the Philippians: "...concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:6-8). Paul gave up those things from his past that he might remain in Christ.

Had Paul chosen to hold on to those things that gave him glory and pleasure as one who rebelled against the Lord, he would not have been able to remain in Christ. His former life of sin was not compatible with his present life in Jesus. Therefore, he had to abandon all sinful practices to stay in a saved state.

Because Paul rid himself of all ties to his former insolent life, he was able to labor more freely for the Lord. He found freedom from sin to be enabling, making him a more effective servant of the Lord. He wrote: "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).

Paul ensured that the grace of God given to him would not be in vain by means of completely giving his own life over to the Lord's direction and guidance. Paul chose to be led by faith in the word of God rather than by his own worldly impulses and whims. "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). It is only fitting for one who has received forgiveness of sins by the giving of Christ's life to give his own life back to the Lord in return.

How is then that so many who obey the gospel later fall from grace and return to the world they once left? It is because, after they were baptized, they were not former sinners, but currently sinners. They have not given up the sins that originally brought them under condemnation; and therefore, remain beset by weakness and sin.

The drunkard who obeys the gospel must cease ALL drinking of booze; or else he will not enjoy the ongoing blessings in Christ for the faithful. The penitent liar must ALWAYS tell the truth, or the blood of Christ will do him no lasting good. The lazy must work, the thief must not steal, the gossip must remain silent, and the contentious man must control his urges, if any of them are to stay in Christ. The believer who repents of his sins before being baptized should not merely be disgusted by his sins, he must also resolve to forsake his sins to the uttermost and determine never to return to them.

If one believes in God and His word as authoritative, repents of his sins, publicly confesses his faith in Jesus Christ, and is baptized, and then returns to the sins he repented of, he cannot enjoy salvation. He has once again lost his fellowship with God (1 John 1:6). In fact, his condition is worse than it was before he obeyed the gospel. "For if, after they have escaped the pollution's of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning" (2 Peter 2:20).

Gentle Reader, if you call yourself a Christian, cease from sin and serve the Lord faithfully. Misery is the fate of one who trys to live in the world and in Christ at the same time. Joy is the lot of one who is loyal to the Lord.

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"...Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ"

2 Pet 1:5-8

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Jack Critchfield, Editor & Publisher
403 Coit Way, Salinas, Ca. 93907
jcritch@jps.net