Yearly Archives: 2012

Part 7: Gleanings From the Book of Acts

Posted on by Pastor J. C. O'Hair

THIRTY FACTS FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS

1. The Book of Acts was written by Luke, the beloved physician. He must have joined Paul when he received the call to Macedonia: for Luke uses “we” the first time in Acts 16:10, about the year 52 A.D. The beloved physician was with Paul, sailing to Rome, when the ship went to pieces and the passengers and crew reached land on pieces of the broken vessel. Acts 28:2. Among the last written words of Paul are these “only Luke is with me.” II Timothy 4:11. This will give us some idea of the unwavering faith, the unfailing fellowship and the undaunted fortitude of this beloved comrade of Paul, the human author of “Acts”.

2. The last words of Luke’s Gospel, Luke 24:53, concerning the apostles are: “they worshipped Christ, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.” In Acts 5:42 it is recorded concerning them that “daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” In Acts 8:1, it is recorded when the great persecution arose and many Christians were scattered, the Twelve Apostles remained in Jerusalem. It is interesting to note that Jerusalem is mentioned sixty times in Acts from Acts 1:4 to Acts 28:17 and the Jerusalem temple is mentioned twenty-four times in Acts. Jerusalem continued to be the headquarters for the Twelve throughout the Book of Acts: and so far as the “Acts” record is concerned, not one of the Twelve preached the gospel outside of Israel’s land. In spite of the judgment of Christ, pronounced upon Israel’s temple and Jerusalem (Matthew 23:31 to 39), that Nation never received greater favor from Rome than they did during the period covered by the Book of Acts: during which time the temple stood and both believing and unbelieving Jews had access to it.

3. Aside from the statement: “Peter with the Eleven”, in Acts 2:14, only three of the twelve apostles are mentioned by name from the day of Pentecost, throughout the Book of Acts, except eleven words concerning the death of James, the brother of John, in Acts 12:2. The three apostles mentioned are Peter, John and James. These three are mentioned together in Galatians 2:7 to 9, as pillars of the church. After the council at Jerusalem, (Acts 15:1 to 19), only one short reference is made to one of these in the last half of the Book of Acts. This reference is to James, when Paul visited Jerusalem about 59 or 60 A.D. Acts 21:18 to 28. By all means use Acts 15:19, and Acts 21:18 to 25, and Galatians 2:7 to 9 as the key to James’ Epistle to the Twelve Tribes of Israel. And by all means study the ministry of Peter, James and John, in the Book of Acts in the light of Galatians 2:7 to 9, where the statement is made in the clearest, plainest language possible, that these three representatives of the Twelve, preached the “circumcision” gospel to the “circumcision” people.

4. The ministry of the Twelve Apostles, in the Book of Acts, was a ministry of confirmation witnessed by signs and miracles. Hebrews 2:2 to 4. The messages which they proclaimed were concerning events foretold by Israel’s prophets. Acts 1:16; Acts 1:20; Acts 2:16; Acts 2:25; Acts 2:30 and 31; Acts 3:22 and 24; Acts 4:11; 4:25 and 26; Acts 7:1 to 50; Acts 8:32 and 33; Acts 10:43; Acts 15:13 to 18. All of this should be studied in the light of Colossians 1:24 to 28 and Ephesians 3:8 and 9: for in these writings of Paul we are plainly told that the “dispensation of the mystery”, “the mystery among the Gentiles”, the peculiar place of blessing of Gentiles in the Body of Christ, was unknown to Israel’s prophets.

5. One thousand years before Christ came from heaven, the Holy Spirit prophesied that a successor would be chosen to take the place of Judas, who would lose his bishopric, in fulfillment of prophecy. Acts 1:16 and 30. That successor had to be a fellow-companion of the Eleven, who, with the Eleven, had been several years in company with Jesus of Nazareth; and an eye witness of His resurrection. Acts 1:21 and 22. This would exclude Saul of Tarsus as ineligible to succeed Judas. I Corinthians 15:5. It would also disprove the claim of some that Paul succeeded Judas as one of the Twelve.

6. Although the resurrected Christ gave his commission to the Eleven, He required twelve men for the ministry and message to “all the house of Israel”, on the day of Pentecost. Mark 16:14. Matthew 28:19 and 20. Acts 1:8. Acts 2:14. The fact that they were all together with one accord is proof of God’s approval of the selection of Matthias. After repentance of life was granted unto the household of Cornelius, the God-fearing Gentile, the Lord was not concerned about having twelve apostles; for no successor was chosen to take the place of James, whose death is recorded in Acts 12:2. This should be studiously and spiritually considered: that is, the fact that the Lord required twelve apostles during the first eleven chapters of Acts. Why?

7. The “far off” people of Acts 2:39 were Israelites and not Gentiles. Acts 10:28 and Daniel 9:7. Not one word, in the early chapters of Acts was spoken to Gentiles. No messenger of the Lord today has Divine authority to proclaim the messages and the religious programs and Divine orders of those chapters to any Gentile today, except preaching Christ. Paul never preached “baptism unto repentance for the remission of sins” unto Gentiles.

8. There are four classes of Jews mentioned in the first eleven chapters of Acts: “Hebrew Jews”, “Grecians (Greek Jews)”, “Strangers or visiting Jews from Rome” (Acts 2:10), and “Proselytes”. The Grecians of Acts 6:1; Acts 9:29 and Acts 11:20, are not to be confused with the Greeks (Gentiles) of Acts 14:1; Acts 16:1 and 3; Acts 17:4; Acts 18:4; Acts 18:17; Acts 19:10; Acts 19:17; Acts 20:21; Acts 2:28. Also there was a difference between many of the religious Greeks and the idolatrous Gentiles. Many of the Greeks were interested in the Jews’ religion. Acts 13:43; Acts 13:48; Acts 14:1; Acts 17:4.

9. Peter and his associates were sent by Christ to Israel only, with a kingdom message and kingdom signs, according to Matthew 10:5 to 7. To them the keys of the kingdom of heaven were committed. To Peter and his associates the great commission was given. To the Eleven Christ said, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” To them the gospel of the circumcision for the circumcision was given. Matthew 16:18 to 19. Matthew 28:19 to 20. Mark 16:14 to 18. Galatians 2:7 to 9. Paul received his commission, ministry, message and program from Christ by revelation. Galatians 1:11 to 19. Ephesians 3:1 to 11.

10. During the Book of Acts Israel was committing the unpardonable sin; sinning against the Holy Spirit, or blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Read Matthew 12:31 and 32. Christ said to Israel, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men”. Israel sinned against the Son of man. They put Him to death. But on the cross He cried, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. God was willing. Acts 3:14 to 18. He sent the Holy Spirit to witness that He had raised Christ from the dead, exalted Him to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins unto Israel. Acts 5:29 to 32. Stephen was filled with that Holy Spirit and saw the Son of man standing in heaven. He accused them of killing the Son of man and resisting the Holy Spirit. They committed the unpardonable sin. Paul went to Israel’s synagogues to testify that Jesus was Messiah. He was a watchman to the house of Israel. Ezekiel 3:16 to 20. Israel blasphemed. Acts 13:45; Acts 18:6. They committed the unpardonable sin. Paul turned to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46; Acts 18:6; Acts 28:28.

11. Beginning with the preaching of John the Baptist, whose message was for Israel, (Luke 1:16; Luke 1:80; Acts 13:24), during the several years of the earthly ministry of Christ, with His Twelve Apostles, which was exclusively for Israel (Matthew 15:24; Romans 15:8; Matthew 10:5 to 7), and for seven or eight years after Pentecost, the gospel was not sent to Gentiles. Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved of God in the midst of Israel. He responded to the appeal of two Gentiles of “great faith”, by healing their loved ones. Matthew 8:1 to 12; Matthew 15:20 to 28; Luke 7:1 to 10; Mark 7:27 to 37. The one and only Gentile man, to whom Christ in blessing, ministered on earth, as far as the Gospels record, was this Roman official who had built Israel a synagogue. This Roman reached Christ through elders of Israel. Luke 7:3 and 5. The first and only Gentile to whom the Twelve Apostles preached, as far as the Book of Acts records, was a Roman official and his friends, Cornelius who gave alms to Israel. and worshipped Israel’s God. Acts 10:1 to 6; Acts 10:22; Acts 10:28; Acts 11:18 and 19. The first Gentile to whom Paul preached, according to the “Acts” record, was a Roman official. Acts 13:6 to 12.

12. During the seven or eight years, covered by the first nine chapters of Acts, there is not a single word to suggest that “Peter with the Eleven” preached justification by faith, the gospel of the grace of God, the ministry of reconciliation; or that they urged the Israelites to whom they preached to forsake Moses, give up circumcision, or to abandon their hope of the Messianic kingdom. Of course there was the element of grace in their messages of repentance and restitution. But they preached to Israel only the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the circumcision. Galatians 2:7 to 9. They preached to Cornelius the word that God sent to Israel Acts 10:36. Paul preached to Gentiles the gospel of the uncircumcision.. This gospel was not sent to Israel. God preached the gospel to Abram, when he was 75 years old, in uncircumcision. Abram was circumcised when 99 years old, (Genesis 17:3 to 20). From that day until Cornelius was saved all blessings were on the grounds of circumcision.

13. In Acts 2:36, and through chapter seven in Acts, the Twelve and their associates were testifying to Israel that Jesus was Christ (Messiah). Paul and his associates continued in the synagogues of Israel to testify that Jesus was Christ (Messiah). Acts 9:16 to 28; Acts 17:3; Acts 18:5; Acts 28:19 to 28. Jesus specifically instructed His Apostles not to testify that He was Messiah, after the rulers had rejected Him. Matthew 16:20 and 21. If Jesus did not rescind this order, then His Apostles wilfully disobeyed Him. When did He rescind this order? Christ’s prayer on the cross (Luke 23:34) rescinded the order. God began anew with Israel on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:36; Acts 3:14 to 26. Compare the kingdom communism of Acts 2:45; Acts 4:34 with Luke 12:33.

14. According to Acts 2:29 to 33, Peter declared that David prophesied that Christ would be raised from the dead to take David’s throne. All the prophets, beginning with Moses and Samuel, foretold Israel’s kingdom days. Acts 3:21 to 24. In Acts 3:19 to 21, Peter declared that God would send Christ from heaven to establish these kingdom days, if Israel would repent. What a contrast between these messages and the fact concerning Christ and the members of His Body seated in the upper heavenlies. Ephesians 1:19 to 22 and Ephesians 2:5. Christ, on David’s throne, as Israel’s King, foretold by the prophets, is quite a different relationship and ministry, than Christ far above in the heavenlies, Head of the Church, which is His Body. It is one thing for a believer to be raised up where Christ is, in the heavenlies. Ephesians 2:6. It is quite a different thing for God to send the standing Christ back from heaven to the believers on earth.

15. In the Book of Acts we learn that, with the exception of the miracles performed by Phillip and Stephen, either Peter or Paul was present when the recorded miracles were performed. Peter and Paul each raised a man lame from his mother’s womb, (Acts 3:1 to 5; Acts 14:8). Each had a miraculous jail deliverance (Acts 5:19 and 20; Acts 12:11 to 17; Acts 16:23 to 31). Each was told in a vision, to preach to Gentiles (Acts 10:1 to 28 and Acts 22:17 to 22). Each of them miraculously healed those who came near their bodies (Acts 5:11 to 14 and Acts 19:11 and 12). Each pronounced a Divine judgment (Acts 5;1 to 10 and Acts 13:8 to 11). Each raised the dead (Acts 9:37 to 41 and Acts 20:9 and 10.)

16. During the first half of the Book of Acts, Peter, the minister of the circumcision is mentioned 67 times. In the last half Peter is never mentioned after Acts 15:13 and Paul, as Paul, is mentioned 132 times, beginning with Acts 13:9. In all the messages of Paul, from Acts 9:14 to II Timothy 4:22, he uses the first person pronoun in speaking of himself, more than 1200 times. The Book of Acts closed in the middle of Paul’s Epistles. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Timothy, Titus, Philemon and II Timothy were written after Acts closed. As the Book of Acts is principally the record of the acts of Peter and Paul, why did that record close several years before Paul’s life closed; especially since it is evident that Paul had two imprisonments and he acted between these imprisonments. I Timothy 4:13; Philemon 22. It is generally believed that he wrote Titus between the two imprisonments.

17. In the Book of Acts the Lord is carrying out His program, declared in Mark 7:27 and in Matthew 8:12. Read the very interesting accounts of the Lord’s conversations with a Roman man and a Greek woman; the only account of the Lord’s dealings with Gentiles until He stood before Pilate. The Records are Matthew 8:1 to 12 and Luke 7:3 to 10, the Roman man; Matthew 15:22 to 28 and Mark 7:24 to 30, the Greek woman. Concerning each of these Gentiles it is recorded “great faith”. Matthew 8:10; Matthew 15:28. To the Greek woman, the Saviour said: “Let the children (Israel) first be filled.” Mark 7:27. To the Roman man, the Saviour said “The children of the kingdom (Israel) shall be cast out into outer darkness.” Romans 8:12. The judgment of the outer darkness is announced by Paul in Acts 28:25 to 28 (about 62 A.D.) and in Romans 11:6 to 25. The awful judgment came with the destruction of Jerusalem, about 69 or 70 A.D. During the Book of Acts the children were being “filled first”. With the close of Acts they were cast into outer darkness.

18. With Acts 2:38, “repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Compare Matthew 3:1 to 12 with Mark 1:4. Luke 3:3, John’s water baptism unto repentance for the remission of sins and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Both messages were for the same people, Israel. Both were repentance and water baptism for the remission of sins. John’s water baptism was that Christ might be made manifest to Israel. John 1:31. The Twelve Apostles received their water baptism, at least three years before the day of Pentecost. If, as some claim, Christian baptism began on the day of Pentecost, the Twelve Apostles never received Christian baptism. There is no Scriptural proof that water baptism was given a new meaning on the day of Pentecost. Water baptism was a kingdom ordinance.

19. In Acts 3:26 Peter said to Israel “to you first”. In Acts 13:46 Paul said to Israel it was necessary that God’s words should first have been spoken unto Israel. Let us compare these statements with the judgment of the Lord Jesus pronounced upon Israel in Matthew 23:31 to 33. Note what He called them in Matthew 23:33, “serpents” and “vipers”. He called the Gentiles, “dogs”. Matthew 15:26. If Israel’s rulers were “serpents” and “vipers” before they added the greatest of all crimes to their list, “they killed the Prince of Life” (Acts 3:15), were they not then worse than serpents and vipers after Pentecost? Why after that should Israel be “first”? Why was it necessary that the word should first be sent unto them? Why should a “serpent” come before a “dog”? The answer is Luke 23:3 and 4, Acts 1:8 and Acts 3:16 to 18.

God’s Standard of Perfection

Posted on by Pastor J. C. O'Hair

Only perfect human beings are fit for the presence of the holy God, and only perfect human beings will come in to the realization of that hope which is laid up in heaven.

Hear the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ to Israel and the instructions of the same Lord, by the pen of the Apostle Paul, to the saved Gentiles

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your heavenly Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.

“That ye may stand perfect and complete in all of the will of God.” Colossians 4:12.

The perfect God will not lower His high and holy standard to the level of even the very best that the most respectable, moral, upright, charitable and benevolent man can do. By nature man is in a pitiful spiritual predicament. He is born with a disease that knows no human cure. This disease is universal, according to God’s pronouncement: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “there is none righteous: no not one.” God has a supernatural remedy for this disease and unless His remedy is appropriated and applied, every case will prove fatal, resulting in a death that is far worse than physical death. All who miss heaven will not miss the second death.

Most men and women are so absorbed in the temporal things that are seen that they spend but little time in serious meditation and consideration of their spiritual responsibility to the true and living God. God is the judge of all the earth and He solemnly declares that every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. He also declares in clear, unmistakable language that no unrighteous man shall enter the kingdom of God.

Here then we see our great problem: we are all unrighteous and no unrighteous man shall enter the kingdom of God. God is the great Physician. He has thoroughly diagnosed our case and given us a clear record of that diagnosis. But he has done much more. He has prescribed an absolute cure and, at the greatest possible cost to Himself, He has provided that remedy. So far as the charges are concerned, He has put the price within the reach of the poorest of the poor. Yes, with no human scheme, philosophy or remedy available, the Almighty God has proved that He is the God of all grace and He has revealed to sinful humanity His own Divine way of making an imperfect man perfect.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. There are many self-righteous, conceited, deceived human beings who are willing to be religious and even tell God that they are religious and quite decent: somewhat different from the average run of sinners. They present their self-righteousness to God as a substitute for His plan: “being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness they have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God which is by faith.”

God has given His well beloved Son to pay the penalty for sin. The wages of sin is death. In the shadow of the cross the Son of God said: “now is the judgment of this world”. John 12:31. By His death, propitiation for the sins of the whole world was provided. “Whosoever will,” is God’s most gracious invitation. It was by the grace of God that Jesus Christ tasted death for every man. The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God, in His Book, declares that He can be just and the justifier of every one who believes in Christ. While true justice knows no mercy, God can be both just and, merciful; because Christ the Just died for the unjust that He might bring us to God. Read it in God’s Book, and believe it with all your heart. It is good news. Romans 3:24 to 28. I Peter 3:18.

Now we are beginning to see how we can be perfect. Perfection must be the work of God and not of man. Man’s work was the law. Under that perfect work man was an absolute failure. “The law made nothing perfect; but the bringing in of a better hope did.” Hebrews 7:16. The “better hope” did. Did what? Made something perfect. Then surely we shall not be satisfied until we find that better hope. Think of such a better hope that can make an imperfect sinner perfect. Here’s the better hope

“By the which will we are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once-forall; and by one offering He hath PERFECTED forever them that are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:10 and 14.

Blessed good news! “He hath perfected forever.” “By the one offering!” Surely the Father was more than well pleased with that one offering of His Son on the cross. When we go by faith to that cross we find, everything we need to take away our guilt and to fix us up for God’s presence and blessing. “Perfected forever?” “Too good to believe”, you say? But it is no good unless you do believe.

Then God declares that He wants every man to be taught in all wisdom: “that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 1:28.

Then God wants every man to present himself, his body, as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God and to be transformed by the renewing of his mind that he may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Colossians 1:28, Romans 12:1 to 3. Then, by the pen of James, God adds: “By works was faith made perfect.” James 2:22.

And the noblest of all saints, the most obedient and faithful of all Christians said: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.” Philippians 3:12.

But before we are disturbed or discouraged by this statement we should read Philippians 3:15, and all of the context: “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” Certainly there seems here to be a contradiction, for in one verse the great apostle seems to be striving for perfection, while in the other verse he already had perfection. Surely Paul was neither dissatisfied with his standing in Christ nor labouring for sinless perfection.

When we carefully and prayerfully study God’s Word, we see that there is a great difference between the believer’s perfect standing in Christ and the believer’s state of sinless perfection. In Christ the believer is without condemnation before God. In Christ he is made accepted. In Christ he is complete. No one can lay anything to the charge of God’s elect. No one or no thing can separate the believer from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. The babe in Christ, like the most matured spiritual saint, has a perfect standing before God. It is because he is in Christ. The justified sinner stands in the presence of God as though he had never committed a sin. By one offering forever perfected. It is all of grace and all by grace.

Then, as to the believer’s state: his behaviour, his walk, his conduct, his service. Does he ever reach the state of sinless perfection? The believer is a new creature in Christ Jesus. His old man has been crucified; and he has received a new nature, a Divine nature. The new man is created in true holiness and righteousness after the image of Him who created him. Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24, Romans 6:6. Here are three very interesting questions in the sixth chapter of Romans

“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” “Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?” “How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?”

The answer to the first question is, “certainly not.” The answer to the third question requires much searching of the Scriptures.

When we have done our best we are only unprofitable servants and we never reach the spiritual state when we do not want to confess, “Lord we have done the things that we should not have done and we have left undone the things that we should have done.” We can fall short of perfection by leaving things undone just the same as we can by doing what we should not have done.

The believer is told how to walk, how to run the race, how to look, how to pray, how to yield, how to submit, how to resist, how to study the Word, how to be sober and vigilant, how to put on the whole armour of God, how to confess, how to serve, how to worship, how to witness, how to grow, how to obey, how to love, how to endure, how to suffer and how to rejoice.

We are reminded that Christ, the captain of our salvation, was made perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10. And by the pen of Peter we have these words: “The God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” I Peter 5:10. And we are assured that the God of peace, Who raised Christ from the dead, can make us perfect in every good work. Hebrews 13:20 and 21.

The mighty power of God that raised Christ from the dead is to usward. Ephesians 1:18 to 22. God is able to make all grace abound toward us for every good work. II Corinthians 8:9. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20. “My God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, Philipians 4:19.

The true child of God knows that he has from God no license to sin; but he also knows that he does miss God’s high and holy mark; and he is always conscious of imperfections No believer ever reaches a state of sinless perfection on this earth, but he is presented in God’s Book with no lower standard to adopt. His heart’s desire is to measure up to the highest spiritual standard that is possible by the grace of God, knowing that perfect love casteth out all fear.

PERFECTION IN DOCTRINE

Then the Bible speaks several times of perfect doctrine, and, surely, every Christian should be established in this perfection, as far as it is possible in this dispensation. The Bible declares that “strong meat” belongeth to them that are of “full age”. Hebrews 5:14. “Full age” is the same Greek word translated “perfect”. “Strong meat belongeth to then that are perfect”; and the very next verse, Hebrews 6:1, says “let us go on to perfection”. Not perfection in conduct, but on with the revelation of truth, from the first principles given to Israel to the highest truth given from the risen Christ to the Apostle Paul.

Let us not forget that Christ chose Paul to bring to completion the Word of God with the Mystery. Colossians 1:24 to 27. Certainly on from the word spoken to Israel to the revelation of the Mystery, through Paul, is progressive revelation: “On to perfection”. This should convince any Christian of the folly of the slogan of the Modernist: “Back to Jesus”, or, “give me the program of Jesus”, or, the folly of red-lettering the words that Jesus spoke to Israel. Not “back to Jesus”; but “on with the risen Christ’s revelations to the Body of Christ.” All Scripture was given on the installment plan. There is progressive revelation from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. Then and there it ceases.

Neither would we have such counterfeit Christian movements as the Pentecostalists, if we go on to perfection with Christ and Paul instead of “back to Pentecost”, with Peter and the Eleven. These Twelve were ministers of the circumcision with the gospel of the circumcision. Galatians 2:7 to 9.

Moreover, we must carry this progressive revelation and perfection of doctrine beyond the thirty years covered by the Book of Acts; for in I Corinthians 13:8 to 13, written a few years before Acts closed, we are specifically instructed in this very thing. Certain things, which are spoken of as childhood, or “that which is in part”, had their rightful place in the Church program before “Acts” closed, before Israel was set aside (Acts 28:25 to 28). But they were to be done away as the Church moved on to perfection. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith unto a perfect man”. “No more children, tossed to and fro”. Ephesians 4:13 and 14. “When I became a man I put away childish things”. I Corinthians 13:11. “When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. I Corinthians 13:10.

The word “perfect”, translated “teileios”, from “teleo”, to accomplish, to end, to complete, to finish, to fill up. “Tello”to set out for a certain goal. “Teleo” is the word Christ cried out on the cross, “finished”.

“Pleroo” is also translated “complete”, “end”, “fulfill”, to “perfect”. This is the word used in Colossians 1:25, wherein Paul writes that Christ chose him to finish the Word of God. And, as Christ on the cross cried “Teleo”, after He said, “I must finish the work”, “I have finished the work”, so Paul said, “I must finish my course with joy.” Acts 20:24, and finally, “I have finished (teleo) my course.” II Timothy 4:7.

For your eternal redemption rest in simple trust in the finished work of Christ. Then by the grace of God give Him your very best.

Glorying in the Lord

Posted on by Pastor J. C. O'Hair

“That no flesh should glory in His presence, but of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness And sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:29 to 31. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14.

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3.

After carefully and prayerfully reading the verses quoted above, or better still, after spiritually studying them together with their contexts, we shall be taught by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that even the redeemed sinner is forbidden to glory or boast in any of his excellent qualities or claim any special Divine favor because of his sincerity and faithfulness in his religious observances: Salvation, eternal life, is God’s gift—It is free. It is by grace. Christ accomplished the sinner’s redemption. Likewise the believer is all that he is by the grace of God. Even if the believer is daily giving forth a spiritual testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ, by word of mouth, in a consistent Christ-like life, controlled by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, he is to glory in the Lord. The Lord is ever to be his glory: “yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Galatians 2:20.

Some Christians claim a unique experience, something different from the general run of Christians, a baptism, or a sanctification, that has lifted them above ordinary saints and placed them upon a super-spiritual plane. Surely, all believers should commend and praise their fellowbelievers who are constantly enjoying the joy of salvation and bringing honour to Christ by a life of righteousness, peace, and victory: daily manifesting that fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22 and 23: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self control.

But if the experience is genuinely spiritual, and not religiously carnal, if the believer is truly controlled by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit-filled believer will fulfill John 16:14: “the Spirit of truth shall glorify Me (Christ).” How true that is. But how many “super-spiritual”, “satisfied”, “religious” Christians there are who glory in their piety, their sanctification or their Holy Spirit baptism, witnessed by visions and ecstasies of the flesh, instead of glorying in the Lord. “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” Why? Because Christ Himself is the believer’s righteousness, and holiness, and redemption.

Some Christians glory in their ability or success, and are proud of their records as evangelists, or soul-winners, of their Bible-teaching, their money-raising campaigns, the multitudes that have heard them, the increase in their attendances, their popularity as public speakers, or as Christian leaders, or something else. “He that glorieth, let him glory, in the Lord.”

“So, then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” I Corinthians 3:7.

“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:10. According to Galatians 2:20, the believer is crucified, and dead to the law. According to Galatians 5:23, there is no law against the spiritual believer. According to Galatians 5:24, “they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts”. The believer who is daily experiencing the result of this crucifixion has the Scriptural right to be filled with satisfaction and, joy, as well as with genuine praise. But he will give all the glory to the Author and Finisher of his faith.

According to Galatians 6:14, the believer is crucified to the world and the world is crucified to him. He will not have fellowship with a world that still hates God, spurns His love, despises His grace, and rejects His crucified and glorified Son This does not mean that he will withdraw himself as a religious recluse, into a religious prison. The Lord’s prayer, in John 17:9 to 25, is against this religious practice. But it does mean that a “worldly Christian” is a paradox. The believer is not of the world, although in the world. The Saviour’s prayer is: “Father sanctify them (set them apart—separate them) with Thy truth. Thy Word is truth.” John 17:17. “If any man love the worlds the love of the Father is not in him.” I John 2:15. But a spiritually, separated believer will not glory in his separation. He will glory in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The believer, who really knows how to glory in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, will not only depart from worldly habits; but he will give up all religious practices. No spiritual believer will take the offense of the cross away by claiming any contribution to his standing, which is all by God’s grace in Christ, because of any religious observance of any kind. “The believer is complete in Christ.

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3.

Let the truth of this verse grip your mind and soul and then read the remaining verses of the chapter. See the utter futility and folly of mixing anything religious with Christ. “Let him that glory, glory in the Lord”.

Dear reader, is not Christ sufficient, without religion, without “churchianity”, without ritualism”? Every need is available in Christ, all spiritual blessings are on deposit in Him. He is our all-sufficient Christ. Christ is the believer’s life and hope, his peace, his complete redemption. “Glory in the Lord.”