Romans 1:16-17
James E. Farley
Have you known people who you thought might never obey the gospel? Maybe they are family members, neighbors, or co-workers. Their lifestyles–and sometimes their open distain for the Truth–often cause us to say, “That person will never become a Christian!”
Consider.
Acts 6:7 gives us the “key” to church growth – at any place and at any time. The key is that the Word of God must increase. The result is the number of disciples will multiply. Notice the latter part of that verse: “…and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Think of the power of the gospel! Many religious leaders were converted to the way of the meek and lowly Jesus. If it happened then, it can happen today. The “key,” again, is an increase in “the seed” so that more “crop” will result. (Luke 8:11).
Think of the power of the gospel when the church of Christ was established in the city of Corinth. (Acts 18). Paul was there for eighteen months preaching and teaching that Jesus is the Christ. Many of the Jews rejected the message, but “…Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” (vs. 8). After a time, another ruler of the synagogue there opposed Paul, and the Jews rose up against the apostle. They “…brought him before the judgment-seat.” (vs. 12). That is, they took Paul to court, albeit on trumped up and obviously meaningless charges. It seems that a man named “Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue” was ring-leader of all this, for when the proconsul, Gallio, made them leave the court house, some took Sosthenes and “beat him before the judgment seat.” (vss. 12-17). Here was a man that many might have said, “He will never become a Christian; he is just too much against the Truth. Look what he did to Paul.” However, as we read 1 Corinthians 1:1, we are amazed: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother …” The gospel is powerful; it can turn enemies of the cross into brethren!
Paul was arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome as a prisoner. Many were evidently distressed over these matters, but Paul wrote about it with these words: “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places …” (Philippians 1:12-13). He mentioned this point again at the end of the book. “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.” (Philippians 4:21-22). Think of it! The power of the gospel to convert precious souls!
The great power that is in God’s Word is seen clearly in the conversion of Paul himself. Saul of Tarsus was a self-proclaimed enemy of the cross. He was “exceedingly mad against” the church of our Lord. (Acts 26:11). He pursued them, arrested them, bound them, had them beaten, caused them to blaspheme, and killed them. All the while, he thought he was right. (Acts 7:58-60; 8:1, 3; 9:1-2; 22:3-5; 26:9-11; Galatians 1:13-14; etc.).
Yet, we read from Acts chapters 9, 22, and 26 that this enemy of the Lord and of the Lord’s people was converted through the power of the gospel of Christ. It is no wonder he wrote as he did in Romans 1:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21.
Do not give up on your friends and family members who have not yet submitted to Jesus’ way as right. Teach them and encourage them at every opportunity that you have. They may yet obey the gospel.

​

In First John, the aged apostle writes that God is light, and that we must walk in the light if we are to have fellowship with God. He points out that we have all of the evidence we need to walk in the light in 1 John 1:2-3: the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. He continues in the following chapters to point out the things that are involved in walking in the light.
These include:

1. Recognizing that we commit sin and must confess our sins in order to be cleansed from our sins (1 John 1:8-9).
2. Keeping His commandments and practicing righteousness (1 John 2:3-6; 3:7).
3. Not loving the world (1 John 2:15).
4. Loving the brethren (1 John 3:10).

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of what is involved in being a child of God, but these point out that being a child of God involves striving to be like God; being holy and keeping ourselves pure just as He is holy and pure (1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 3:3). This is not to imply that we can be sinless because we know that we do commit sin from time to time (1 John 1:8-2:1). However, if we are the children of God and walk in the light, we do not continue to live a life of sin. We must strive to walk in the light as He is in the light that we might have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
The question is how do we walk in the light? As pointed out above, John tells us what we must do in order to be children of God. It is easy to identify the things we must do, but it can sometimes be difficult to do those things. With that in mind, consider the following passage from Isaiah 55 that is crucial to walking in the light.
1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. 3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you – the sure mercies of David…6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
In Isaiah 55, God speaks through the prophet relative to having the abundant life. (Isaiah 55:1-2). He makes it clear that we must seek the Lord and call upon Him in order to have the abundant life (Isaiah 55:6). In order to do this, we must turn from unrighteous thoughts and wicked ways by turning to God who will show mercy and pardon. (Isaiah 55:7). Immediately following these instructions, God says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
So what is the point of Isaiah 55:8-9? Is it futile to seek the Lord and call on Him because He is so far above us? It is certainly true that God is higher than we are and beyond our ability to fully comprehend. There are certainly things about God we will never be able to know this side of eternity (cf Romans 11:33). Zophar, one of Job’s three “friends”, makes the following observation in Job 11:7-9: . We must never think that we have God figured out, or that God thinks like we do. We can never presume to bring God down to our level.
But this still does not answer the question about the purpose of Isaiah 55:8-9. It is important to notice the preposition for in verse 8, which provides a connection to what has been previously stated about seeking the Lord and calling on His name. In order to do that, He says the wicked must forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. In other words, we can no longer think and act like the world; we must think and act like God, whose thoughts and ways are higher than those of the world. That’s the very point John is making about walking in the light and not in darkness in First John. If we truly are the children of God and not children of the devil, our thoughts and ways will be like God’s thoughts and way.
Consider some of the things that are involved in thinking and acting like God.
God hates sin (Deuteronomy 16:22; Proverbs 6:16-19). If we are the children of God and walk in the light, we will have the same attitude toward sin that God has. We will hate sin just as God hates sin.
God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Society in general places no stigma on divorce. But God is the same today as He was in the days of Malachi (Hebrews 13:8). If we are the children of God, our thoughts on divorce will be the same as God’s thoughts.
God loves the lost (Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9). As the children of God, we must have the same attitude toward the lost that God has and put forth the effort to teach them (cf Romans 1:15; 10:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:2; 4:2).
God commands obedience to His word (Isaiah 66:2; 1 John 2:3; 3:7; 5:3). As the children of God, we will align our thoughts and ways with God’s thoughts and ways that we might walk in a way that is pleasing to Him.
In Isaiah 55, God offers an abundant life. In John 10, Jesus tells us He came so that we might have life, and…have it more abundantly. Are we the children of God enjoying the abundant life? In Isaiah 55, God says we must think and act like God in order to have the abundant life. John fills in the details about how to think and act like God in First John.
Jesus accused the Pharisees of being the children of the devil because they thought and acted like the devil (John 8:39-46). Conversely, if we are the children of God, we will think and act like God (John 8:47). The attributes of the Father will be seen in us as His children. This can only be achieved if we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).
Kerry Arnold

Connie W. Adams
Last Sunday morning I caught the last part of a sermon by Charles Stanley on television. He is a well known Baptist preacher from Atlanta, Georgia and is often seen and heard on television and heard widely on radio stations across the nation. He was preaching on the plan of salvation. It was classic Baptist doctrine.
You may wonder why I would think it useful to deal with this matter. The answer is simple. Baptist doctrine has not changed on this subject. Over the years I have met people who have been taught by Baptist preachers and whose baptism followed such teaching. Some of them have argued at length that they had received scriptural baptism. I have always told them, “Not if you acted according to Baptist teaching.”
Mr. Stanley said that there is a defining moment in one’s life when he “accepts Jesus Christ as his personal savior.” At that moment of faith and acceptance one is saved and forgiven by the Lord. He is saved by faith and not by works. That is, no obedience is required for salvation. Somehow it is overlooked that faith is something to be developed in man and expressed by him. “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29).
It was then pointed out that this person thus saved should be baptized as a public declaration of faith and salvation. There is that “outward sign” of the “inward grace.” He said baptism declares you stand for the Lord before the world. Then he told of a woman who came forward at a service who said she had been saved forty years before but that she had never been baptized. She felt that something was missing and that she ought to publicly declare herself. Now, get the sequence here. She was saved forty years before and now felt compelled to be baptized. Don’t you see, folks, the order of things in the Baptist plan of salvation? It is salvation first, and then baptism. Baptist preachers through the years have contested in public debate with gospel preachers that one is saved at the point of faith, before and without water baptism. That is exactly what Charles Stanley preached last Sunday morning on television. What does the Bible teach about this?
Grace, Faith and Works
Is it true that we are saved by the grace of God? Of course it is. We did not earn or deserve the salvation God offers through Christ. It is by grace (Eph. 2:8-9). Now, are we saved by grace conditionally or unconditionally? If unconditionally, then either all will be saved or else God is to be blamed for those who are lost. Yet Jesus taught that many are in the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13, 14). Is grace nullified be-cause there are conditions imposed by God, who offers his favor? Of course not. Grace may be accepted or rejected. Upon no other basis could we account for the free moral agency of the sinner. God is the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him (Heb. 5:8-9).
Are we saved by faith? Absolutely! Numerous pas-sages show that we are saved by faith (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Rom. 5:1-2). Faith is a conviction resting upon evidence (Heb. 11:6). “These things are written that ye might believe”(John 20:30-31). This grows into confident trust. Now, are we saved by a dead faith or an obedient faith? James said “faith without works is dead also” (Jas. 2:26). Hebrews 11 gives us a list of worthies who were justified by faith, but always when their faith expressed itself in obedience. For example, “By faith, Abel offered unto God” (v. 4); “by faith Noah … pre-pared an ark” (v. 7); “by faith Abraham … obeyed, and he went out” (v.8). The faith that saves is the faith that obeys.
Are we saved by works? What is meant by works? We are not saved by the works of the law of Moses (Rom. 3:28). We are not saved by works of human merit (Eph. 2:9; Tit. 3:5). These are works devised and carried out by man. But there are the works of God to consider. Remember John 6:29? “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” God devised it but the sinner must believe. “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6). Paul lamented that his Jewish brethren went about to “establish their own righteousness” and had not “submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:1-2). Whom did God declare righteous? Those who believe “unto righteousness,” “confess unto salvation,” and “obey the gospel” (Rom. 10:10, 16). God ordained some things for us to do which activate faith. Saul asked, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6).
If our Baptist friends could realize that grace saves us conditionally, that the faith that saves is the faith that obeys and that when God commands us to act and we, in faith, do what God said, that is a work of God’s righteousness, not our own, then much of the problem would be resolved.
Is Salvation Before or After Baptism?
This is the fundamental difference between the truth and Baptist doctrine on salvation. Consider these passages:
Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Now look at it. Where does “saved” appear? Is it before or after baptism?
Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.” Now look again. Where does “remission of sins” come in the passage? Before or after baptism?
Acts 22:16 “Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins.” Once more, does “wash away thy sins” come be-fore or after baptism?
It does not take a theological degree to answer these questions.
The Danger of Baptist Doctrine
Did I hear someone say, “Don’t you know it is not nice to criticize another religion?” Well, I know some people feel that way about it, but I want you to consider the seriousness of what is at stake. Baptist doctrine is not only contrary to the Scriptures on this subject, it is downright dangerous because it leads people to believe they are saved when they have not obeyed the will of God. It is not enough to be immersed to get into the Baptist Church, it is important to be immersed for the right reason to be saved, to gain remission of sins, to wash away sins. One who is baptized with the conviction that he was saved at that critical moment before and without baptism, could not possibly be baptized to be saved, to gain remission of sins or to wash away sins. Any doctrine which clouds and obscures the gospel plan of salvation is dangerous to the soul. Whatever truth may be taught about God, Christ, the Bible, upright moral behavior (and Baptists do teach much truth along these lines), does not mitigate the fact that souls are deceived when they are led to believe that they are saved at a point where the Bible does not promise it. We need to kindly but firmly press this very point. Saved forty years before being baptized? Not according to the Bible.

​

​Brent Kercheville
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (ESV)
Peter now gives instructions about shepherds. But what does this have to do with suffering? Has Peter gone on a theological tangent? No, because in verse 9 we see that Peter is still talking about suffering as he concludes his letter. The first word of verse 1, “so” or “therefore,” shows that this discussion is connected to the theme of having hope during hard times. So why is Peter exhorting the shepherds at this point and how does this exhortation fit in with suffering? First, it is a call to courageous leadership in the face of suffering. We need leaders to rise to the top and not cower in the shadows during hard times. There are too many men who do not want to be shepherds because of the difficulty of the work. Let us not forget that Peter is writing during a time of persecution and severe suffering. One could certainly imagine that shepherds would have a bullseye on their back from the persecutors. Second, we need shepherds to help us and lead us, the flock, during difficult times. Shepherds are needed all the more during hard times, during persecution, when suffering for the sake of righteousness. Peter is describing Christians who are molding into the world rather than suffering persecution. The shepherds were needed to bring those who are struggling back.
Peter’s Exhortation
Peter begins with an appeal to the elders who were in the various churches in Asia Minor. But it should catch our eye that Peter does not make this appeal on the basis of the apostolic authority granted to him by Jesus. Rather, Peter makes this appeal based upon three things: (1) Peter is a fellow elder. Peter knows the challenges and difficulties of functioning as a shepherd over a local church. Peter says that he is writing to the shepherds as a shepherd himself. Jesus charged Peter to feed his sheep in John 21. (2) Peter is a witness of the sufferings of Christ. Peter is not unaware of the suffering that these shepherds were enduring. But Peter saw the suffering of our master, teacher, and Lord. Peter is not unaware of the suffering of Jesus and for Jesus. (3) Peter is a partaker in the glory to be revealed. Though suffering, their hope is in the glory that will come later. Peter is sharing in that hope, looking forward to the glorious return of the Lord. On the basis of these three things, Peter now makes his appeal to the elders.
Shepherd
Elders functioning as shepherds is a vivid image of what these men are supposed to do for the flock of God. The scriptures are full of images of what good shepherds look like and what bad shepherds look like. Let us begin with what bad shepherds look like. Turn to Ezekiel 34:1-8 to see what condemned shepherds did. First, notice that they were feeding themselves and not feeding the sheep. The sheep must be fed. One of the primary functions of the shepherds is to feed the flock. The shepherds need to make sure that the evangelist is feeding the flock with his teachings. The shepherds themselves must be teaching and instructing the flock so that it is fed. This does not mean that shepherds preach sermons. It means that they are involved in the lives of the flock and are feeding them with their communication. The shepherds are teaching in small groups and teaching one on one. Shepherds feed the flock. The sheep must expect the shepherds to teach, train, and instruct them.
Second, the weak sheep were not strengthen, the sick sheep were not healed, the injured sheep were not bound up, the straying sheep were not brought back, and the lost sheep were not sought after. Another primary work of the shepherds is to be there for the weak, sick, and broken sheep. The shepherds are to seek after them. Shepherds love their sheep and they will try everything to bring the sheep back. As sheep, do not be surprised when the shepherds come to us when we are weak, sick, injured, straying, or lost. It is their job as a shepherd. Don’t be offended because they are simply working as a shepherd.
Third, the shepherds had failed in Ezekiel 34 because they ruled them with force and harshness. God condemns shepherds who see their position as shepherds as a position of power. Godly shepherds are not to be “my way or the highway” leaders. They will not rule with force or harshness.
By contrast, it does not take much work to see what good shepherds look like. Jesus called himself the good shepherd in John 10. The example of Jesus is what good shepherding looks like. Thus, in 1 Peter 5:4 Jesus is called the Chief Shepherd. Jesus is the model in how he led his disciples, how he lead the multitudes, and how he led the religious leaders. These are the images that are bound up in the verb “shepherd.” Shepherd the flock of God that is among you.
The Flock of God Among You
This is an important, yet overlook, phrase. The shepherding takes place among the sheep that are here. They are not shepherding sheep in other cities. They are not shepherding sheep in other churches that might be in this city. We are their flock and they are watching out for you. As sheep we need to get to know our shepherds. You may be someone who is regularly coming but is trying not to get too connected. But understand that our shepherds are going to assume responsibility for you because they care about you and your eternal soul. They are going to try to get you more involved and more connected. They are not trying to embarrass you or make you feel awkward. They are watching out for you. They want to know their sheep better and you should want to get to know them better because they care for you. Our shepherds are pastoring this church and no other. We are not connected or affiliated with any other churches, even those who have the same description as ourselves. Our shepherds make decisions for this church. There are no other churches, conventions, or pow-wows that tell us what to do. These shepherds make decisions for this flock. How should our shepherds lead us? Peter tells us.
Not Under Compulsion, But Willingly
There are three “not, but” statements. Do not shepherd like this, but shepherd like this. First, they are not to shepherd under compulsion. I don’t think that Peter is saying that we should not compel men to be shepherds who do not want to be shepherds. While that point may be true, that is not the point here. Shepherds should want to do their job willingly. We should not have to compel them to strengthen weak sheep. We should not have to force them to bring back straying sheep. Sheep must be the shepherd’s desire. The shepherds are working willing among us. I believe Peter is exhorting to shepherds to love their work and be willing to do it. Be willing to track after the sheep. Be willing to bring them back. Be willing to bind them up. This is their function and purpose. As sheep, we need to appreciate our shepherds’ willingness to shepherd us.
Not For Shameful Gain, But Eagerly
Not only should the shepherds be willing to work, they should not shepherd for the pay. That is not a problem here since our shepherds do not receive pay. That is not to say that they do not deserve such pay, but a recognition of our financial situation. They are worthy of pay, but shepherd us because of the heart they have for God’s kingdom and the flock. Our shepherds have a zeal for this flock and are actively working to improve us spiritually. Shepherds are not to lead us for the pay. They lead us because they love God and they love us.
Not Domineering Over Those In Your Charge, But Being Examples To The Flock
The shepherds have charge over us. Notice that Peter says we are in their care and under their charge. But with that charge comes great responsibility. The shepherds are not to be domineering, lording their rule over the flock. That is what the shepherds were doing in Ezekiel 34 and God condemned those shepherds. I think one of the primary ways that shepherds domineer over the flock is by telling others to do things that they are unwilling to do themselves. Notice that this is the contrast that Peter draws out. Shepherds are not about telling the flock what to do. Shepherds are doing what is right and godly and they are telling us to join them in the work. Thus, they are examples to the flock. If they are not examples, then they are domineering. The shepherds are doing what is right and telling us to do the work with them. Their lives are reflecting the direction that they are taking this church. Shepherds do not have the attitude of “I’m the boss” and “you must do what I say.” Jesus, the chief Shepherd never exhibited this quality among his disciples. Shepherds are to be examples to the flock, not dictators who can never be questioned. Shepherds are not to be making secret, back room decisions and the flock has no idea what is going on. Everything needs to be before the flock. The shepherds lead by saying, “This is what we are doing; join with us.” They are not saying, “This is what you should do, not me.”
Unfading Crown
The reward is the unfading crown of glory from the chief Shepherd, Jesus. The wreaths and crowns that they received from their sports and competitions all faded and wilted with time. But Jesus is giving us unfading victory. Do these things, in the face of persecution and suffering, and you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Shepherding is a thankless job. Our shepherds do not get paid and they must deal with the problems of the flock. Give them thanks for their work. Give them due honor and respect for the shepherding they do.
Our Response:
Peter tells us that we need to yield to the shepherds. Yield to them. Join with them. As they take us forward and lead us, let us join with them in the work. Let us roll up our sleeves and jump in. They are working many things at this church that they want you to join with them in working together. Get connected, get active, get involved, and join in the work as we serve our chief Shepherd.

​Charles Box
Jesus Christ established His church long before anyone ever heard of Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian or Jehovah's Witnesses. Today there are hundreds (thousands) of kinds of churches in existence. Men on men’s teaching founded these churches. Our Lord Himself established the New Testament church almost two thousand years ago.
Jesus promised the New Testament church: "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) Acts 2 gives the history of the establishment of the New Testament church. The year that the church was established was 33 AD It is our prayer that you are a member of this same blood bought church!
Jesus established the New Testament church in Jerusalem: The apostles were sent to Jerusalem to wait for power. (Acts 1:4-8) The power came with the coming of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4) The gospel was first preached in Jerusalem. Three thousand people became Christians that day. The Lord added them to His church. (Acts 2:38-47) It is our prayer that you are a member of this same blood bought church!
The New Testament church that Jesus established is in the world today. The New Testament church exists anywhere people submit entirely and completely to the teachings of the New Testament. People in Corinth heard, believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:8) When this happened there was a New Testament church in Corinth. It is our prayer that you are a member of this same blood bought church!
The New Testament church that Jesus established can be identified. Read what the New Testament says about names, worship, organization, membership and mission of the church. Christians must worship and work exactly as the word of God teaches. Membership in the New Testament church is enjoyed at the moment of becoming a Christian. (1 Corinthians 12:13) Is the church where you have your membership the New Testament church? Check by the New Testament and see. It is our prayer that you are a member of this blood bought church!
The New Testament church is not a denomination. You can be a member of the New Testament church -- you can be just a Christian. The wonderful blessings of heaven should move us to obey the gospel and serve God faithfully. To obey the gospel one must hear God's truth (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (I Peter 3:21) After baptism one must serve God faithfully to prepare for the heavenly home.