Author Archives: John Willson

Partakers of Their Spiritual Things

Posted on by John Willson

In Romans 15:25-26, Paul speaks of taking a contribution to the poor saints at Jerusalem. The kingdom saints in Judea and Jerusalem had not only suffered persecution, but were in great need, having sold their land and possessions in accordance with the Kingdom program of early Acts (See Acts 4:34-37). Then in Acts 8:1-3 we read of great persecution at Jerusalem, with Saul (Paul) being a leader of it. But some years later, after God mercifully saved him, he was chosen with Barnabas to send relief to these Jewish believers. Quite a change in the man!

Then on Paul’s last visit to Jerusalem, he stands before Governor Felix and says, “I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.” This is the offering (evidently a large amount) that Paul writes of in Romans 15:25-26, “…for the poor saints at Jerusalem.” Then verse 27 reads, “It has pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in carnal things.” The question addressed here is, how are we made partakers of their spiritual things?

The first thing we might think of is what Paul said in Acts 28:28, “…the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.” This was the third time Paul said in Acts that he would turn to the Gentiles, because, for the most part, the people of Israel rejected his preaching of salvation in Christ. More is said of their rejection and fall in Romans 11:11, “…through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles.” In Ephesians 2:12-13, we read that the Gentiles were “…without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” So now that Israel has been set aside, we are made partakers of the spiritual things they once had as the people of God.

Perhaps the next thing that would come to our mind is that we now possess the Word of God that came to us through Israel. Romans 3:1-2 says that the chief advantage of the Jew was that “…unto them were committed the oracles of God.” So now we have the entire Bible: the truths of creation, the history of Israel and mankind through the centuries, the judgments of God, the covenants, the promises, and many prophesies concerning Christ and the things to come.

As Romans 15:4 states: “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” The things “written aforetime” would include the warnings Paul mentioned in I Corinthians 10:1-11. Verse 11 reads, “now these things happened to them for examples, and they are written for our admonition….” Furthermore, “All Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (II Timothy 3:16). There is a great wealth of these things in Scripture, and how thankful we are for them. For wisdom, reproof, and instruction in righteousness, we read Proverbs. For examples of worship, prayer and praise, we read the Psalms. For a knowledge of prophecy, we have all the prophets, including the Lord Jesus who prophesied of the judgments to come and the future Kingdom.

In addition to the Old Testament, there is blessing for us in reading the four gospels that teach concerning Christ’s first coming. The doctrines of the virgin birth, His deity, His ministry on earth, and His future Kingdom are things we should know, and for our learning we read the chapters that tell us of His suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Concerning the New Covenant that was originally promised to Israel, we Gentile believers now have the spiritual blessings of it. We have salvation through His blood. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 26:28 saying, “This is the blood of the New Testament (covenant) which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” However, the great truths of the New Covenant were not fully revealed until the Book of Hebrews was written. The author of Hebrews, who this writer believes is Paul, wrote to the Jewish Christians who knew all the ordinances and prophecies of the Old Testament as Paul did. The New Covenant shows that all the types, offerings and sacrifices, priesthood and ordinances of the Law are fulfilled in Christ. Although Hebrews is not addressed to Gentiles, we do rejoice in the truths of it. As II Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture…is profitable….”

Paul says in II Corinthians 3:6, “Who also has made us able ministers of the New Covenant.” This covenant was promised to Israel (Jer. 31:31-34), yet we are partakers of “this great salvation” mentioned in Hebrews 2:3. Perhaps this is what Paul was referring to when he said he was a minister of the New Covenant.

Besides all these “spiritual things,” we have those epistles of Paul that are addressed to Gentile believers, and they contain the revelations concerning the truths that God has especially for us in this dispensation of grace. Although Paul often used “proof texts” from the Old Testament saying, “according to the Scriptures,” his writings contain a complete body of doctrine for the Church today. For knowledge of our salvation by grace, our position in Christ, our spiritual life and our destiny, we must know Paul’s epistles. In order to be established in doctrine and spiritual understanding we must know Paul’s gospel, “…and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25). However, when we consider that we have all the Word of God, how thankful we should be that we are made partakers of the spiritual things of the Jews as well.

Our good friend John Willson is one of our senior Grace Bible teachers, and has been a frequent contributor to the Berean Searchlight over the years. You can write him at 407 W. Hickory St., Neosho, MO 64850 with any questions about the above article, or for information about his Grace Bible Courses correspondence ministry.

The Believing Remnant, Preserved and Secure

Posted on by John Willson

(John Willson serves as one of the Bible Correspondence Instructors for Prison Mission Association, and is a good friend to Berean Bible Society. He has been a welcome contributor to the pages of the Berean Searchlight for many years.)

There has been much debate about the security of believers during this dispensation of Grace, but what about believers in the Old Testament, and during the Kingdom Age? By following the references found in the Scofield Study Bible, we can trace the believing remnant of Israel, and draw some conclusions about the security of believers in other dispensations.

There has always been a remnant since the nation began with Abraham in Genesis 12. We refer to these people as the believing remnant because Romans 9:6-7 says, “…for they are not all Israel, which are of Israel, neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but in Isaac shall Thy seed be called.” Throughout Israel’s history we see that the majority of this nation was unbelieving, or as God said of them in Romans 10:21, “…a disobedient and gainsaying people.” However, there was always the believing few, as Paul states in Romans 11:5: “Even so at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”

Elijah thought he was the only faithful one left in Israel, yet God said to him, “I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.” In Isaiah’s day the number may have been smaller, because Isaiah 1:9 says, “Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and…Gomorrah.” Isaiah also prophesied the return of the future remnant during the seven-year tribulation (Isaiah 10:20-22). There are many references to the believing remnant throughout Isaiah and Jeremiah, as there are in the other prophetical books. In the four Gospels we see the believing remnant in those who “…looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38). These would be those like Simeon, Anna, Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary, John the Baptist and all those who believed God’s promises. The Lord referred to them as the little flock, for in Luke 12:32 He said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”

Matthew 24 is a lengthy prophecy of the seven-year tribulation. It is addressed primarily to the believers who will be on earth at that time. Verses 3-12 speak of sorrows and persecutions, wars and famines. Then verse 13 says, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” This will be the fulfillment of Zechariah 13:8-9, because they will be that third part of the nation brought through the fire of the tribulation. These verses read, “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die, but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried; they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people, and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”

This verse in Matthew 24:13 does not mean that a person must “endure to the end” or lose his salvation as some teach. This verse is saying that he that lasts or lives through that period will be saved through it and enter into the Kingdom. As God said, “And I will bring the third part through the fire….”

It is very possible that the prophecy of the 144,000 in Revelation 7:4 is referring to this remnant. It reads, “…there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” If they were sealed, they were secure, and it did not depend on their endurance. This is similar to the truth for us in Ephesians 4:30, “…ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

We know the believing remnant during Jesus’ ministry was secure as John 10:28 states: “…they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (see also verse 29). If these kingdom believers were safe and secure, those whom God will bring through the tribulation will be also.

This brings up the question of the security of all the Old Testament saints. There is no example of a true believer losing his salvation or fearing that he would lose it. Also there is no verse that indicates that these Old Testament saints had to maintain good works to remain saved. The word preserve as used in several Old Testament verses indicates the safety and security of God’s people:

Psalm 97:10—”…He preserveth the souls of His saints….”

Psalm 37:28—”For the LORD…forsaketh not His saints, they are preserved forever….”

Psalm 145:20—”The LORD preserveth all them that love Him.”

Those whom the Lord knows are often called saints, meaning those HE has sanctified and set apart for Himself. Those kingdom saints were promised eternal life in the future Kingdom, and they knew that God would keep His promise. David’s confidence is expressed in Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Job was confident when he said, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth…yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26).

Tracing the remnant through the Bible is an interesting study, not only in the Old Testament and in the four gospels, but also through Acts. Also they are addressed in the Jewish-Christian epistles of James, Peter, and John. James writes to the twelve tribes scattered abroad (James 1:1) and Peter addresses them as the strangers scattered (I Peter 1:1). Then John writes of them often in the great prophecy of Revelation. The remnant was always a minority, even as true believers today are a small minority, yet God gives to all His people the assurance of eternal life, regardless of the dispensation they are under.

“Condescend to Men of Low Estate”

Posted on by John Willson

What does this phrase in Romans 12:16 mean to us? It may mean that we are interested in giving to support the Lord’s work in countries where many are living in poverty and ignorance. Or, it may mean that we are concerned with helping missions in our own country which help those who have been destroying their lives with alcohol, drugs, or immoral living. But how about reaching the men and women who are serving time in jails and prisons? We have in America over two million that can be reached in jails by correspondence Bible lessons and literature. Those in city or county jails are usually easily reached in person.

Many years ago, I met with the sheriff at our local county jail and told him I would like to speak to the men there. He was very agreeable, and this began a regular weekly ministry that another brother and I are still involved in. We hold a Bible study, then provide inmates with Bible lessons, New Testaments, tracts, and other things to read. We find that many of these of low estate now have an interest in spiritual things, and they realize that it is their sin that has put them in jail. We tell them that they need the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, that they need to know that Christ died for their sins and that He will give them victory over sin and a new life.

Others can be reached by mail. We have been grading Bible lessons for prisoners and others all over the U. S. and foreign countries, sending out Grace literature to help them grow in understanding God’s Word.

It may be that you are looking for some way to be directly active in the work of the Lord (I Cor. 15:58). If you would like to get started in a ministry, we can provide you with the Bible lessons you need. I assure you that there are blessings and rewards in reaching those of low estate and obeying our commission as ambassadors for Christ, beseeching sinners to be reconciled to God (II Cor. 5:18-20).

For more information, please contact John Willson at: Grace Bible Courses, 407 W. Hickory Street, Neosho, MO 64850.

The Pastor’s Perils

Posted on by John Willson

God has given an important, responsible position to every Bible  teaching pastor.  According to Ephesians 4:11-12, the gift of pastor (pastor teacher) is one of those given “…for the perfecting of the saints, for the working of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ….”  Because of this, it is evident that Satan will seek to hinder or destroy a successful ministry any way he can.

There are many areas where Satan can set a snare or pitfall for a pastor.  We list some of the more obvious ones using the alliterative “P”: Popularity, Prestige, Pay, and Passion.

POPULARITY

Popularity is usually gained by pleasing man, and that is natural for most of us.  But the desire to please can lead a pastor to avoid preaching anything that may offend, even though it may be sound doctrine.  It is convenient for him to avoid controversial issues, especially if he knows that the congregation may not accept his teaching.  Paul anticipated this in writing to Timothy.  He admonished, “…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Tim. 4:2).

Paul set the example as he reproved the Galatian believers for their departure from the gospel of grace (Gal. 1:6-9).  In verse 10 of the same passage, Paul says “…do I seek to please men, or God? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

As we continue through the book, we find many more rebukes to the Galatians, albeit given with love and longsuffering.  Paul was so stern with them, it seemed he had become their enemy (Gal. 4:16), yet in every chapter he was only defending the doctrines of grace that were committed to him by the Lord Jesus.  Paul, then, is an example of one who did not seek popularity as a “manpleaser” (Eph. 6:6).

PRESTIGE

When a person is given a position of leadership, the respect and encouragement of others often leads to adoration and praise.  We tend to give undue honor and adulation, bestowing flattering titles such as “reverend” or “doctor,” making it more difficult for a pastor to realize that he is called to be merely a minister or servant.  The more gifted a pastor is with speaking ability, writing ability, or organizational ability, the more he should be lifted up with prayer, lest he be lifted up with pride.  Paul emphasized that he and Apollos were but ministers (servants) by whom the Corinthians believed (I Cor. 3:5).  Then in verse 7 he added, “So then, neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

All the men of God throughout Scripture have shown meekness and humility in leading God’s people.  Note Numbers 12:3: “Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.”  As we read through the books Moses wrote, we find him giving God the glory, as did all the prophets in the Old Testament.  The Lord Jesus, though He was God the Son, said “…learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29).  In writing to a pastor, Paul said “…follow after…meekness…” (I Tim. 6:11).  To Titus (3:2) he writes that we should be “…gentle, showing all meekness to all men.”  As a pastor or minister considers such verses as these, he will resist the temptation toward pride or a superior attitude.  If he has success in his ministry, he will humbly admit it was all God’s working and God’s grace.

PAY

The Bible teaches that a pastor is generally supported by the congregation he serves (I Cor. 9:14).  Yet, in our day, we see large congregations giving such large salaries, plus benefits, that the pastor is often being paid more than the average member of his congregation.  Most pastors have families to support, homes they are buying, and many bills, so they fear losing the large salary.  When a pastor becomes dependent upon a generous salary, the Word is no longer preached with true freedom.  The danger is that a pastor becomes greatly tempted to avoid offending anyone by “preaching the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), or standing for the truths that he knows.  When Paul wrote to young pastor Timothy in I Timothy 6:10 about the love of money being a root of all evil, he was not only warning believers in general, but he was also warning Timothy.  He didn’t want the love of money to cause Timothy to become the servant of men, rather than a servant of Christ (Gal. 1:10).

It would not be wise for any pastor to be completely dependent on support given by a church.  Having a trade or profession or being able to “work with his hands” (I Thes. 4:11) would be a great asset toward independence in his preaching.  He would be able to “reprove and exhort with sound doctrine” knowing that he could always “…provide for his own…” (I Tim. 5:8), even if he had to look for another place of service.  Paul’s solution to this was that he made the gospel free of charge and did not ask for money.  Instead he often worked as a tentmaker to supply his needs and the needs of others.  Concerning the love of money, he advised Timothy, “…O man of God, flee these things…” (I Tim. 6:11).

PASSION

Although passion can have many meanings, we are referring to the kind that leads to temptation to commit sexual immorality.  How many times have we heard about an evangelical pastor getting involved with his church secretary or some other woman in the church?  Many pastors have left their wives and children, yielding to their own sinful lusts or to a direct temptation from Satan.  The result is not only a disaster for his family and the church, but also a dishonor to his Lord.

Paul’s advice to Timothy was to “Flee youthful lusts, follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace…” (II Tim. 2:22).  Temptations to immorality are always there, and the pastor as well as all of us must be strong in the Lord, “…putting on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10-11).

Pastors must be aware of these pitfalls and learn how to avoid them.  Those he serves should always pray for him, that these things will not hinder or destroy his ministry.  Help him in his work, encourage him, let him know you are praying for him, and remember to thank him from time to time.