How should preachers treat people who are not in the assembly?

How should preachers treat people who are not in the assembly?

Since the New Testament doesn’t teach a division between clergy and laity, the same principles written for all Christians apply to preachers. All are to be kind to each other (Ephesians 4:32)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:32) and serve others in love (Galatians 5:13)" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 5:13) and lowliness (Ephesians 4:2)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:2). Therefore, preachers, along with all believers, should attempt to avoid anything that a visitor could interpret as unkind or condescending. Since Christians are to "esteem other better than themselves," every visitor to the assembly should receive respect and personal attention. At a minimum, that means every believer should attempt to welcome the visitor (without being overwhelming) and to address the visitor by name. James warns against special treatment for wealthy visitors (James 2:1-4)." TARGET="_blank">James 2:1-4). If a personable, prominent, popular politician visited, how many handshakes and requests for photographs would he receive? How often would believers tell others of that visit? Should another visitor with a different status, appearance, creed, personality, race, or lifestyle receive a lesser welcome?

Paul makes it clear that the Corinthians’ behavior in their gatherings should have a positive impact on both the unlearned and unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:23-25)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:23-25). The unlearned are not in the assembly and they are not unbelievers. Therefore, these principles apply to believing and unbelieving visitors. If they witnessed speaking in tongues, they would have a negative impression of the believers, concluding they are mad - deluded. If they heard men prophesying, they would recognize God’s presence among His people. The outcome desired for these visitors was for them to become worshipers, aware of God’s presence in the assembly. Every interaction with visitors should create a positive impression and contribute to this desired outcome.

In speaking publicly, preachers are responsible to model this kindness, lowliness, respect, and purpose (1 Timothy 4:11-13)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:11-13). This Biblical standard tests the matter and manner of all preaching. Paul implies (1 Corinthians 14:15-33)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:15-33) that the preachers’ words and actions form the visitors’ impression of the God this congregation worships.

D. Oliver
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What time of day should the church celebrate the Lord's Supper?

Why is the Lord’s Supper kept on Lord’s Day morning when according to the Book it was always celebrated in the evening?

The hour for the observance of the Passover was definitely laid down by Jehovah. It was to be “in the evening” ( Exodus12:6)," TARGET="_blank">Exodus12:6), but no such order is given for the celebration of the Supper. No doubt, our Lord instituted His supper at the close of the paschal feast, but He neither enforces the time on the Apostle, nor does Paul in 1 Corinthians 11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11: . When he reminds the Corinthian saints that it was “the same night that He was betrayed” that our Lord took the bread, etc., the emphasis seems clearly on the proximity to His betrayal, rather than to the fact that it was eventide. In other words, it was not the time of day, but the time in relation to what was to follow.

Christianity is not a system worked on a time-table, like Judaism—”Ye observe days and months and times and years” (Galatians 4:10)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 4:10). Certain ceremonialists are intensely occupied with the time of the observance, the colour, etc., of the bread (it must not be white, and it must be unleavened!), the kind of wine (it must be “unfermented”). But this verges at best on a mechanical imitation. One wonders why these good folk do not insist on reclining on couches, as no doubt our Lord and His disciples did, or at any rate observing the Lord’s supper on the very day He instituted it. Nothing we can make in the way of bread or wine could adequately represent the holiness or purity of Christ. To interpret the leaven of the Old Testament by literal leaven is not an intelligent understanding of the types. An Old Testament type refers to a New Testament reality. No, we are not to examine the table to see if there be any leaven or “ferment” thereon, but ourselves, lest there be any old leaven of wickedness in us, or malice or untruth.

The early disciples may always have broken bread in the evening, but if so, it was for convenience sake (as they were working all Lord’s Day, as all other days), and that is quite have never heard that any teaching is supposed to depend on evening communion. But how the legal mind of man loves to enforce its enactments on all! “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath madç us free and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage,” and if men insist on legislating where the Word of God does not, let us not follow them or be moved by them.

W.H.

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Is the Great Commission for a future dispensation?

Is the Commission of Matthew 28:18-20" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:18-20 for the present dispensation, or only for one yet future?

“The Lord Jesus before His death made just one appointment with His disciples, which was, to meet Him on a certain mountain in Galilee after He had risen (Matthew 26:32;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 26:32; Mark 16:7)." TARGET="_blank">Mark 16:7). Of this fact we are reminded in Matthew 28:16," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:16, the opening verse of the paragraph in which the Commission is contained. There had been some more or less informal meetings elsewhere previous to it, but this was the specially prearranged meeting, which naturally would overshadow them all in importance. yet there are those who would ask us to believe that what He told them when He met them there, was not about their Own work at all; but that He gave them minute instructions and comforting assurances with regard to the work of some other unknown individuals, who would live two thousand or more years after their time. They would have us believe that when He said, “Go ye and teach,” lie meant that somebody else was to go and teach; that when He said, “I am with you,” He meant, I will be with some other people who will be on earth two thousand years hence; and that when He added, “Even unto the end of the age,” He meant, until the end of some other age. Those who can swallow this kind of thing must have good digestion, for I frankly confess I prefer to believe that the Lord meant just what He said.

The statement, which some of these brethren make, that Matthew does not acknowledge the Church period, is absurd. Is it not in Matthew that we have the formal introduction of the Church in chapter 16, and of Church order in chapter 18? Is it not there that we find the Lord’s action, so symbolical of turning from Jew to Gentile, in chap. 13. 1; in which after having been definitely rejected by the Jewish leaders in the two previous chapters, it is said, “The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the seaside”? And immediately after, He speaks the Seven Parables of the Mysteries of the Kingdom, which have so often been shown to picture successive stages of this present Church period. That Matthew’s Gospel has a Jewish tinge, no one who is a careful reader can doubt; but this is far off from the Conclusion that there is nothing in it except for Jews. The Gospel of Luke has a Gentile tinge, but would these brethren suggest that there is nothing for Jews in Luke, nothing about the Tribulation, nothing about Millennial times? As a matter of fact, the Commission as given in the end of the Gospels of Luke and of Mark, has a more Jewish Sound about it than the form of it occurring in Matthew.

As illustrating the fact that the Apostles did carry out Matthew 28:18-20" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:18-20 there is a word worth noting in Acts 14:21" TARGET="_blank">Acts 14:21: “They had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught (Gr., discipled) many.” It is the very word, “matheteuo,” used in Matthew 28:1," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:1, and this is the only place in the New Testament, apart from Matthew’s Gospel, where it occurs. Were they not here carrying out the Commission as given in that verse?”

W.R.

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How does a saved person have "the rightousness of God"?

To what does "the righteousness of God" (Romans 3:22)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:22) refer?

Gods court and law requires righteousness. Romans 3:10" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:10 flatly states that the defendant (man) has not satisfied the requirement. Man is guilty. "Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," the guilty is pronounced "right with God," justified (verse 24). The "propitiation" (verse 25) has satisfied the requirements of the court and the Judge pronounces that the guilty has a righteous standing. This righteous standing is the "righteousness of God" that the law didnt produce, but was "witnessed by the law and the prophets" (verse 21, see also Romans 4:1-8)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 4:1-8).

This "righteousness of God" is received by faith, apart from merit, solely through the blood of Christ (verse 22, with Romans 5:1; 3:24; 5:9)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:1; 3:24; 5:9). It is not an exchanged righteousness - a record of sin removed and a record of righteousness replacing it. It is a righteousness based on Gods requirements being met by the sacrifice. Neither is this an engrafted righteousness, as though we now possess an attribute of God, the righteousness of God. It is a righteous standing, declared and accounted by God and based on the satisfaction God has received from the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

D. Oliver
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Does excommunication involve two forms of discipline?

Does excommunication involve two forms of discipline?

Because of the nature of the sins listed in 1 Corinthians 5," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5, the individual must be put away to cleanse Gods temple. Sins of the kind mentioned there cannot coexist with Gods presence. Since 2 Thessalonians 3:14" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3:14 shows that social discipline ("with such an one, no not to eat", 1 Corinthians 5:11)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:11), is a form of discipline in itself, two forms of discipline are imposed when an individual is excommunicated. Social discipline can be imposed by itself (2 Thessalonians 3:14)," TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3:14), but excommunication cannot. Pauls instruction regarding excommunication joins social discipline with putting a person away.

As in 2 Thessalonians 3," TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 3, a potential problem in Corinth was that the sin in the assembly could adversely affect the behavior of others, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (verse 6). For this reason, the believers were to have no company with the offender in order to protect the assembly. Both forms of discipline are also to promote the persons recovery. The passage in 2 Thessalonians indicates that social discipline is to make him ashamed verse 14), to see the wrong of his behavior. There is a contrast between them, however. In 2 Thessalonians he is to be admonished as a brother (verse 15). 1 Corinthians merely states that he is "called a brother." His is put away and is on the same ground as a heathen man and a publican (Matthew 18:17)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:17).

D. Oliver
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When the behavior of some in the assembly is disrespectful or irreverent, how can I be helpful to th

When the behavior of some in the assembly is disrespectful or irreverent, how can I be helpful to them?

Drinking coffee or talking on cell phones during meetings (as reported by the questioner) is a discretionary matter. To be fair, though, I don't think any elders in any assemblies I have visited would consider either of these behaviors appropriate during an assembly meeting.

In part, those who do these things may be trying to create an accepting atmosphere in which visitors will feel welcome. While this has value, a clear principle from Scripture has a prior claim: "Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, forever" (Psa 93:5). "Holy and reverend (revered, awesome [ESV], terrible [JND]) is His name" (111:9b). Since His name is associated with His assembly (Mat 18:20)," TARGET="_blank">Mat 18:20), its character regulates the gatherings. "God is not the author of confusion (disorder, unruliness)" (1Co 14:33)," TARGET="_blank">1Co 14:33), therefore "Let all things be done decently and in order" (dignity, see Strong's) (v 40). Behavior that lacks propriety and orderliness becoming to the presence of the Lord has no place in God's assembly.

Three suggestions, then, may enable a believer to be helpful in such circumstances. First, do not let the behavior of others either shape your behavior (Rom 12:2" TARGET="_blank">Rom 12:2a) or distract you from honoring the Lord (Psa 71:14, despite circumstances). Second, keep a right spirit, not becoming bitter against those whose behavior concerns you (Ephesians 4:31, 32)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:31, 32). Third, communicate your concerns in a way that is positive and edifying (v 29b). If your communication is not likely to be helpful, say nothing, but find a way through prayer and waiting on the Lord to express your thoughts.

D. Oliver
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How to link to the Online Bible at Gospel Hall dot Org

GospelHall dot Org provides a free online Bible search service at http://www.gospelhall.org/bible You can use the Online Bible from your own web pages by linking directly to the search result pages. Once you learn how to set up these links you will be able to link Scripture references directly to matching passages and search items directly to search results.

Creating a Basic Link

An example of a basic link to the Online Bible.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php" mce_href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php">Read the Bible Online. Click here.</a>

Creating a link to a specific passage

An example of a link to a specific scripture.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5">Read Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5</a>

You may substitute your own choice of scripture instead of "Genesis 1:1-5" Here are some examples

Single verse <a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=John 3:16" TARGET="_blank">John 3:16 ">For God so loved the world...</a>
Entire chapter <a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Luke 19" TARGET="_blank">Luke 19 ">Read Luke 19" TARGET="_blank">Luke 19 online</a>
Range of verses <a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=John 3:1-16" TARGET="_blank">John 3:1-16 ">Conversation in John chapter 3</a>

Creating a link to a specific Bible version

A link to a specific scripture looks like this. Specify the Bible version with the parameter &ver1=

You may choose the following versions of the Bible. If you do not specify a Bible version, the default choice will be KJV.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5&ver1=kjv">Read Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5 in the King James Version</a>

KJV - King James Version
ASV - American Standard Version
BBE - The Bible in Basic English
DBY - John Nelson Darby Translation
ESV - English Standard Version
GFR - Gospels for Readers (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John only)
WEB - World English Bible
YLT - Young's Literal Translation

Creating a link to two Bible versions

Specify the second Bible version with the parameter &ver2= Use the list of abbreviation above.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5&ver1=kjv&ver2=bbe">Read Genesis 1:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1-5 in the King James Version and the Bible in Basic English.</a>

Create a link to a search phrase

An example search for phrase "heaven hell" in King James Version

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?search=heaven+hell">Search for the words "Heaven Hell" in the King James Version </a>

Commentary Explanations

An example of how to display commentary explanations of the passage.

<a href="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Genesis 1" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1&commentary=jamison">Display Genesis chapter 1 and the Jamison Commentary</a>

You may use the following commentaries. Not all commentaries contain information for every verse, but all of the commentaries have comments for the first verse of every chapter in the New Testament.

commentary=jamison
commentary=barnes
commentary=darby
commentary=kelly
commentary=robertson

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How were people saved in the Old Testament?

How were people saved in the Old Testament?

Did people in the Old Testament get saved by performing sacrifices? Were they saved because they were Jews? If not, then how could they be saved if they had never heard of Jesus, the cross or the resurrection? Some people say that God credits salvation to people who are sincere in their understanding of regardless of what they believe as long as they are faithful. They extend that thinking to the saints of the Old Testament who were saved because they believed what God had revealed up to that time which excluded the knowledge of Christ dying for sins on the cross. Let's see what the Bible says about people in the Old Testament in their salvation.

Works vs Grace

Some mistakenly believe that salvation in the Old Testament was based on keeping the law, doing sacrifices and doing good works. This is refuted multiple times in the Bible.

"It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins?" (Hebrews 10:4)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:4).

"By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight?" (Romans 3:20" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:20 ).

Those activities, though God-honoring, are not the manner in which a believer was ever, or ever will be saved.

Salvation through Christ

Every sacrifice and prophecy ultimately points to Christ and his work on the cross. The people who believed in Christ in the Old Testament had less information about the ultimate sacrifice, but had the faith to believe that God eventually would resolve the problem of sin.

Romans 3:25-26" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:25-26 teaches us that Christ died for sins of all time, including those of the Old Testament. Christ was foreordained to be the Lamb of God since before the world began. Revelation 13:8." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 13:8. Isaiah 53:6" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 53:6 tells us that "the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." The salvation that God imputed to Old Testament believers was based on the death of Christ, which in the mind of God was as good as accomplished even before the creation.

Salvation through faith in Christ

The greatest example of salvation through faith was Abraham. "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... ...But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:3, 5)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 4:3, 5). Abraham didn't earn salvation, it was accounted to him for his faith.

But what exactly did Abraham believe? Some would say that Abraham simply believed that God would multiply his seed like the stars of the heaven. That is the immediate context of Genesis 15:6." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 15:6. But Christ tells us that Abraham believed something more about the Seed that would be multiplied. "Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56" TARGET="_blank">John 8:56 ). Abraham knew that the Messiah was coming and trusted God to work out the matter of salvation at a future time. Abraham was saved by faith in Christ.

Job knew that "my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:25" TARGET="_blank">Job 19:25 -26). Obviously, Job didn't know how or when, but he trusted God to take care of his redemption.

Moses also trusted in Christ many years before Christ came. Hebrews says Moses "...esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt ; for he looked to the reward" (Hebrews 11:26" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:26 ).

Although we look back to Christ's life and death, we don't know all the details, only what God has chosen to preserve in His Word. The Old Testament believers didn't know all the details about the Messiah either, but they trusted Him for their salvation. They looked forward to Christ who was coming. We look back to Christ who has come.

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Prophet accepted everywhere but in his hometown

Todd Babineaux wrote:

Where is the verse that says something about a prophet being accepted everywhere but in his hometown?

Answer:

The Lord Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth and went into the synagogue. His message was soundly rejected and they tried to kill him. His commentary on their attitude was:

Luke 4:24" TARGET="_blank">Luke 4:24 And he said, Verily, I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

Shad

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At what point must one be put away from the assembly as a covetous person or a railer (1 Corinthians

At what point must one be put away from the assembly as a covetous person or a railer (1 Corinthians 5:11)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:11)?

Verse 11 lists 6 people who must be removed from the assembly. Four of those are repeated from verse 10. Those four, including one who is covetous, are persons who have violated the clear statement of Gods moral law. In all four cases, one violation makes them transgressors of the law, therefore guilty. While God judges thoughts (see Matthew 5:22, 28)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 5:22, 28), men can only deal with actions. When one called a brother exhibits covetousness by doing something which is, in itself, morally wrong, he must be removed from the assembly.

A railer and a drunkard complete the list in 1 Corinthians 5:11." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:11. The determination of these is more subjective, not always involving clear violations of Gods moral law. An actions circumstances or the frequency with which it occurs deserve consideration. Elders, who are spiritual, impartial, and sufficiently informed, guide the assemblys decision to put away a railer or drunkard.

D. Oliver
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How to link to the Online Bible at Gospel Hall dot Org

Creating a Basic Link

Creating a link to a specific passage

Creating a link to a specific Bible version

Creating a link to two Bible versions

Create a link to a search phrase

Commentary Explanations