The Proclaimer

PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD

Edited and Published by Jack Critchfield

In This Issue:
What Is God Like?
The Human Spirit Survives Death
The Attire Of The Christian
Baptist Vote On Bible
Are All The Saved In The Church Of Christ?
Looking For The Anti-Christ

What Is God Like?
Jack Critchfield

The attributes of God are as varied, interesting and sublime as any thought of the imagination. Many people, instead of finding what is revealed in the Bible about God, make up their own understanding of the Maker of the universe. Some people, in truth I suppose most, see Him as a big teddy bear that wouldn't harm a flea. Others see Him as someone who wants everybody to be happy, no matter what it takes. But is that really what the Bible has to say about God?

In Exodus 20 we find that God is "a jealous God" and does not want us to serve other gods. He wants all of our affection. He is not satisfied with our giving Him part of our affection and reserving the other part for the world (Matt. 6:24). God is holy (1 Pet. 1:16) and expects us to also be holy. The apostle John writes, "God is live" (1 Jn. 4:8), and He desires that we genuinely reciprocate in a loyalty that never dies (Jn 14:15).

Our God is eternal. The Psalmist says that He is "from everlasting to everlasting" (Psa 90:1-2). He is the epitome of truth (Rom 3:4), and only those who abide therein can truly be free (Jn 8:32). The immutable Creator is just and a keeper of His word (Heb 6:18). He is the judge of all the earth and will do what is right all the time (Gen 18:28). There is no way we can successfully war against Him, nor should we want to do so. Such efforts are vain and futile. God is not like us, and we make a serious mistake when we try to make God in our image. The Athenians thought this. But Paul made it clear to them (and to us) that God is near to everyone of us. In fact, Paul says that we "…should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being…" (Acts 17:27-28). Jonah, the reluctant prophet, had a warped view of Deity. He complained that God was too kind, too merciful and too forgiving. It grieved him that Ninevah (a political enemy) actually had hope if they would but repent and turn to the Lord. So many, today, are like Jonah. They try to invent a phantom that does not exist and then call their creation "God."

Today, we even have brethren who attempt to change what the Creator has clearly set forth in the Scriptures concerning the way a sinner is saved, the standard for marriage, the simplicity of scriptural worship and the proper roles of men and women in the home, society and assembly worship. Have we forgotten that God means exactly what He says in the Bible, His inspired word, and that we do not have the right to change it (Heb. 13:8)? Let us accept God's Word for what it says and change our lives to fit that Word, not the other way around.

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The Human Spirit Survives Death
Clarence Johnson

In Matt. 10:28, Jesus said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Luke's account, Luke 12:4-5 reads: "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. I will show you whom you should fear. Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him."

These passages clearly indicate that there is a part of man that survives death. Solomon, in Eccl. 12:7, described what takes place at death: "Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." The material part of man, the part that is made of dust will return to dust. But the spirit is not made of dust. It is not inherited from human parents, but is implanted into each individual by God Himself, Zech. 12:1-2. Each of us has a human father who is the father of our flesh, and each of us has a Divine Father who is the Father of our spirit, Heb. 12:9. When we die, our spirit returns to God for its proper disposition.

Perhaps the one passage that gives us the most insight into what transpires after death, is Luke 16:19-31. Here Jesus relates the experiences of two men. One of them had possessed great wealth. The other, in the earth-life, had experienced little comfort. Both of these men died. The man who had once been rich was now in torment in hades. Lazarus, the man who had once been a poor beggar, was now comforted in Abraham's bosom. Both of their souls had returned to God for proper disposition at death, and God had dealt with them according to their priorities in the earth-life. Though we recognize that this passage may contain some figures of speech, we must recognize that Jesus wants us to clearly understand that there is a part of man that survives death. He wants us to understand that there is a part of man that survives death. He wants us to understand that the righteous will be comforted and the wicked will be tormented in a realm beyond this physical earth. Jesus was too wise to be mistaken and too honest to mislead us.

In fact, Jesus, in His infinite love and misery, probably gave more warnings about hell than any other first century preacher. And by His sacrificial death, He did more to keep us from going there than any other person ever could or would do. He insisted that no matter what we may need to give up in order to have a right relationship with God, it is well worth the cost. No matter what we may need to do to maintain that relationship, our faithfulness will be rewarded. In Mark 9:43-48, He goes so far as to indicate that if your hand or foot or eye makes you sin, cut it off or pluck it out, because it is better to embrace the promise of everlasting life, no matter what it costs than "to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."

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The Attire Of The Christian
Kent E. Heaton Sr.

There is a lot of interest in schools to impose a certain dress code and in many cases have a uniform dress code for all students. Educators understand the importance of what young people wear and what many times they fail to wear as having an impact upon the environment of the schools. As from time beginning, the attire worn by an individual says a lot about who they are.

The attire of the Christian is a very important part of their character. Having obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have given our lives in service to Jesus Christ. This means that we should no longer seek to dress as the world dresses but rather to glorify God with our bodies. This point is made clear in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

The Lord wants His disciples to know that their bodies are members of Christ and what we do with our body's matters to Him. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit whom we received from God when we were baptized into Christ. (Acts 2:38,39; 5:32) We are to glorify God with our bodies and we "are not our own."

Disciples of Christ made a covenant with God to put Him first in their lives in everything. That covenant is to regard our lives as complete before Him and in accordance with His will. The argument people use about having the right to dress, as they desire is not acceptable to God. God said, "You are not your own." Why? Because Jesus Christ died to redeem us and we were "bought at a price." The price of the life of God's Son is why we have no right to dictate to God what we shall wear or what we shall put on. He - and He alone - has that right. Paul then states - "Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Does it matter what I wear? What does my attire say about me? Consider what the Bible says about what statement is made in what I wear. Proverbs 7:10 describes the harlot in this fashion: "And there a woman met him, with the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart." The attire of a harlot is the statement made by a harlot by the way she dresses. Judah thought Tamar was a harlot by the manner of her apparel. (Genesis 38:13-15)

Isaiah described the children of God in their wantonness and wickedness: "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, making a jingling with their feet." (3:16) The truth is very clear - even to the minds of people today - we show our lives by the way we dress.

The attire of the Christian is not based upon the world's fashions. The attire of the Christian is found in the love of God and obedience to Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says, "In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." The attire that many Christians wear is not modest; it has no propriety, without moderation, gaudy and lacking godliness.

To see women who profess to be children of the Most High God exposing themselves with the lack of clothing is a shame and disgrace to the blood of Jesus Christ. Women who wear clothes so tight they had to be poured into them is unbecoming godliness. The dresses are worn so short that sitting down becomes an Olympic event by itself. Christian women parade around town in shorts so tight and so short that the last thing anyone who think of those women is godliness.

Godly women need to be found in the church who are willing to dress like godly women. Elders need to take charge of the flock of God and instruct the women concerning their dress - and the men also. They are not exempt in this. Godly apparel is glorifying God - what many wear today does not glorify God - and bring shame to the body of Jesus Christ.

"You are bought at a price!" Post that on the mirrors when you get dressed. Fathers need to dress their daughters and wives in godly apparel. "You are not your own" says that I must dress as God would desire me to be. Let's stop kidding ourselves and find solace in the fashion of the day. Women - if you are not dressed in godly apparel - go home and get dressed. Men - do not bring shame upon Christ by the way you dress. Christians - dress godly!
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"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Hebrews 13:8

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Baptists Vote on Bible
Bob Craig

RECENTLY, the Southern Baptist Convention, in a general vote of the delegates, decided against the ordination of women as pastors or preachers. This has been a source of contention among them for several years. The vote gets closer each time and, I predict there will come a time, very soon, when the majority votes to ordain the women. In fact, at their last convention, they tentatively agreed to ordain women in a limited way but rescinded that agreement in this convention.

Nearly all the denominational world has allowed the women to take a public part in their assemblies. It began slowly. First the women were allowed a minor role in these assemblies but after the door was opened a little, there was no stopping place. So now, in most denominational churches, women occupy the pulpits right alongside men.

I have a United Pentecostal Manual that gives 1 Timothy 3:1-7 as the qualifications for their pastors (ministers or preachers). [I disagree with that but that's another subject.] Verse two states that the person to be ordained "... must be the husband of one wife." This very definitely makes the person mentioned a man. But then they have a list of all the ordained ministers among them and in the listing there are numerous women. Of course, this has long been true among various Pentecostal groups. Most all of the denominations refer to the preacher as "the pastor." Of course, when we study the Bible we find that the words, pastor, elder, bishop or shepherd, refer to the ruling body in a church and they are always in the plural number and do not refer to a preacher.

The Baptist Manual, The Methodist Discipline, The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer and various other religious handbooks contain an article or statement that is similar to this: "Whatsoever cannot be found in the Old or New Testament scriptures or proved thereby, is to be rejected." To this we add a hearty "Amen."

But 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 is the list of qualifications for elders, bishops or pastors. There are many other passages (too numerous to mention in this short space) that can be used to pin point the area that women must occupy as it pertains to leadership. One that is hard to misunderstand is 1 Timothy 2:11-12: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

Were it not for the declaration of these denominational churches that they intend to be guided by the scriptures, I wouldn't be the least bit concerned with what they do for, after all, these churches are theirs, they belong to them. So, they may do with them whatever they see fit. That's the reason they can vote to see whether they will do what the Bible says or do what they decide by popular vote. They can, at any time, call for a general assembly of their delegates and vote to disregard what the Bible says. Their proposition to vote on should be, "shall we follow the Bible or not?"

Some churches of Christ have followed the lead of the denominational world in doing things for which there is no Bible authority. The Oak Hills church's elders made this statement: "We are insistent on allowing God, through our prayers, to lead us in all aspects of our church family." They then make this statement: "The elders want to provide you with a statement about a question that may have been raised. That question has to do with the use of musical instruments in our worship. After many months of careful study and consideration, the elders unanimously concluded that there is no Biblical prohibition of the use of musical instruments in worship." It is implied that a vote was taken in regard to this announcement by the phrase, "... the elders unanimously concluded ..." And the vote was unanimous that they should disregard their statement "that they would allow God to guide them" and would do what they voted on.

Other Churches of Christ have made similar plans disregarding what God says. There will come a time (and that time has probably already come) when the Lord will "remove their candlestick from out its place," from being His and will "spue them out of His mouth." If that is the case, then they may do whatever they want to because they will no longer be His; their church will be theirs to do with it as they see fit.

To us he says, even as he did to others, "hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

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Are All The Saved In The Church Of Christ?
Jack Critchfield

We often hear people talk about salvation and what is involved. A young preacher was once involved in a discussion with someone from a denomination who made the statement that the Church of Christ thought only those in the Church of Christ were going to be saved. Is this correct?

Some good advice from an ancient philosopher might be in order at this time. He said, "If you would converse with me, first define your terms." What does "be saved," mean? And what is the "Church of Christ?" When we answer these two questions, we will have the answer to the statement in the above paragraph.

Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved…" (Mark 16:15-16). Christ is the only Savior, as the apostles said, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). But saved from what? We need to let God answer that question. The apostle Paul writes, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Eph 1:7). John writes, "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Yet if we continue in sin, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23). When we speak of being saved then, we speak of freedom from the guilt and consequences of sin.

Next, we need to ask, "What is the Church of Christ?" God answers when He speaks of Christ as "the head of the body, the church…and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Col 1:18; Eph 1:22-23). So, the body of Christ is the church of Christ. But, again, what is it? Jesus said, "…I will build My church…" (Matt 16:18). And the apostles Paul later called it, "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). That "body of Christ" which is the church was built by Jesus Christ and purchased with His blood shed on the cross. Neither of those is true of any denomination. But His church is further defined, "…the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved…Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body" (Acts 2:47; Eph 5:23). The church, then, is composed of those who are saved. The same Lord who saves them adds people who are saved to the church. That, by God's definition, is the body of Christ, which is the church of Christ.

Do you have to be a member of the body of Christ to be saved? You might want to re-phrase that question, "Do you have to be saved to be saved?" You see, that is precisely the point of Acts 2:47 and Ephesians 5:23. When the Lord saves people, He puts them into Hid body, which is His church. How, then, can any saved person remain outside "the saved" which is the church? If we let denominations define the process of salvation and what it means to "be saved," if we let them define "the church," there will be much confusion. But when we let the Lord define both, leaving out man's ideas, it is clear that Christ is the Savior and that He adds all the saved to "His church."

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Looking For The Antichrist?
Tracy Schell

There are many people out there who are watching world events and looking for "signs." They are looking for the coming of "the antichrist," based on misinformation and assumptions of who, or what, the antichrist is. Their knowledge is based more on Hollywood fiction than Biblical fact.

In order to understand the subject one must first understand that "the antichrist" is not a person! In fact the phrase "the antichrist" does not appear anywhere in scripture. The word "antichrist" appears five times in scripture, and only in the books of First and Second John. Contrary to popular belief, antichrist is neither connected to the book of Revelation or to the number 666. They have nothing to do with what we are talking about.

The word comes from the Greek antichristos and literally means "against Christ." John gives a very good definition of who is antichrist: "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." (1 John 4:3)

The passage does not focus on some singular historical personage. It is the attitude a person - any person -- has toward Christ that will determine if he is antichrist or not.

For those who are looking for the antichrist to be some ominous individual coming in the future to form a new, world order, a little more Bible and a little less Hollywood will help. The Scriptures paint a very plain picture: "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." (1 John 2:18)

For those looking to the future for an antichrist, the Bible plainly says that even in John's day their were many antichrists! The fact that antichrists were present in John's time rules out the notion that "the antichrist" is yet to come.

The amount of error surrounding this subject is another clear indicator of how people reach conclusions on Bible subjects with little or no knowledge of what the Scriptures actually say. The truth is easily understood if - if we simply stick to the inspired word as our source and avoid the foolish conjecture of men.

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If you ever wondered what a Christian should think about Oprah Winfrey, stay no longer undecided. If it is not enough for her to say that because of Mad Cow Disease, eating beef would make the AIDS epidemic look mild, consider this: she panders to the most immoral and godless people in our society. Who was there when Ellen DeGeneres was taking so much flak for coming out as a lesbian on her show? Why, there was Oprah to guest star on her show. As one of the most influential people in America (perhaps the most influential), this carries a lot of weight. When she recommends a book, it becomes a top seller nearly instantly. So, who does Oprah have on her show but James Van Praagh, author of Talking to Heaven: A Medium's Message of Life after Death. The book claims: "I believe we are all God." In fact, the last sentence of his book is: "You are GOD!" Two people on Oprah's show hailed Van Praagh as their savior. Oprah is part of the cesspool of the decline of American morals.

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In this upside-down world of ours, Christ specializes in turning lives right-side-up.

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A cold church, like cold butter, never spreads well.
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Jack Critchfield, Editor & Publisher
403 Coit Way, Salinas, Ca. 93907
critch1@juno.com