Author: Jennifer Morigeau

Family Ties

Material for, about and concerning the church of Christ at Wasilla

Volume 2, Issue 1

February 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A Message from the Elders

A Message from the Elders	1
Choice	2-5
Evangelism	6
Answering the / Critics: Acts 2:38	7-9
Women to Women	10-11
Technicalities	12-13
Calling on the Name / of the Lord	14-17
Paul Stone, Elder	17
Crossword Puzzles & Word Searches	18-22
Family News	23

We hope that you enjoy this edition of our “Family Ties” magazine. Our goal with this publication is that our family will be drawn closer together as we read the articles and enjoy the games. We hope that this encourages you to invite your family and friends to attend our services and we hope that your personal spiritual life is made stronger by this publication.
This edition will use Joshua 24:14-15 as its theme. That verse states: “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." We all have choices to make in this life, be sure that the choice you make concerning God is the correct one! Please share this with anyone who may enjoy it.
ED MAXWELL
HANS NICHOLSON
PAUL STONE

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Family Ties

Volume 2, Issue 1

Choice

In the United States, we have a strong tradition of choice. We can choose our leaders and expect a peaceful transition even if the change is between parties and ideology. We have multiple choices in deciding what to eat, where to go to college, what to wear and even where to live. No one can dictate these things to us, we have freedom of choice and we are very proud of it. Our ability to pursue our own choices is stated clearly in the Declaration of Independence. The fact that we have certain “inalienable rights” is clearly stated. Among these is famous line “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness”. Since its adoption, it has given each of us the guarantee of freedom to choose what makes us happy.
The church though isn’t a democracy. It is a monarchy and Jesus is its king (John 18:36-37, Luke 22:29-30, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28). In a monarchy, the King makes the laws and the citizens follow them. Citizens of a monarchy have no right to decide which laws they want to be subject of, nor do they have the right to decide to interpret the laws in a broader or more narrow sense. Being citizens of Jesus’ kingdom, we are obligated to follow His rules. This, of course, includes the laws on how we become and remain citizens of this kingdom. As well as laws concerning how we act as citizens.
Jesus set up the immigration laws, laws on how we can become citizens of His kingdom. They are both simple and specific. He gave us this when He told His disciples:
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:17-20 (KJV).
He reiterated this again in when Mark recorded this:
“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:14-16 (KJV)
Earlier He had given the Apostle Peter the keys to the kingdom. Peter opened the door to the Jews on Pentecost Day in 33 AD when Luke records this:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38 (KJV)
So the way to become a citizen of the kingdom of Jesus is to be taught something, believe, repent and be baptized.
We have several examples that further clarify the process of becoming a citizen in the Kingdom of Jesus. Luke records the following:
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8:12-13 (KJV)
Luke also records this about Phillip teaching:
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” Acts 8:29-40 (KJV)
Then in Acts 10 Luke records Peter preaching to Cornelius and his household and friends. Here he tells Cornelius and his company about Jesus and His sacrifice.
In these passages we see the full requirements of becoming a citizen. First it being taught, Peter taught the Jews about Jesus on Pentecost in Acts 2. Phillip taught the Samaritans, and the Eunuch. Then Peter taught the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house. In each case, they taught Jesus and His sacrifice. In each case those being taught heard and believed. In the case of the Eunuch, he confessed his belief, and in the case of the Jews at Pentecost, they repented. So the full process of becoming a citizen is to first hear the message about Jesus and His sacrifice, repent of our sins, confess Jesus publicly, and be baptized.
But some of our friends have decided to choose another path to citizenship. They teach that we accept Jesus into our hearts and say a sinner’s prayer. This is found nowhere in the scriptures. While there is a sinners prayer mentioned by Jesus it is an entirely different situation. This was a parable he was teaching about prayer itself. It is as follows:
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14 (KJV)
This is a parable about two Jews and Jesus was highlighting their attitude in prayer. Since both were Jews and were in the temple this is not a story of being saved. In fact, Luke makes it clear that it is about attitude in the very first verse. Note: He spoke this parable to certain who trusted in themselves and despised others.
The idea that we can chose another pathway to citizenship in the Kingdom of God is invalid. Jesus didn’t provide another way in. Neither did Peter nor any of the other apostles. In fact Saul of Tarsus was admitted in this very same way. Read Acts 9 then Acts 22 and see that Saul heard the message, repented, and was baptized. In fact, Saul spent three days praying, but his sins weren’t washed away by his tears of repentance. They were washed away in the waters of baptism (Acts 22:16).
The same restrictions are placed on us in remaining a citizen of the kingdom. Our friends say that once we have become a Christian (a citizen of the Kingdom of Christ) we can never do anything that will cause us to lose that status. The problem is that, once again, the Bible doesn’t teach this. Take a look at the following passages.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV)
In this passage the writer is clearly discussing Christians since he says those he is talking about “were once enlightened”, “tasted the heavenly gift”, “were made partakers of the Holy Ghost” and “tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come”. He then says “IF they shall fall away”. The Greek word used by the author by inspiration of the Holy Ghost is “kai” (pronounced “kahee) and is translated “and”, “also”, “even”, “both”, “then”, “so” “likewise”. It is also translated as “if” as it is here in this passage. The next Greek word in “parapipto” (pronounced par-ap-ip’-to). It is translated only one way and that is “fall away”. It is from two words “para” and “pipito” taken together they mean “fall aside”. So this passage can be translated as: “And fall away”, “Also fall away”, “Even fall away”, “The fall away”. Because of this, the Holy Ghost must be teaching that it is possible for a Christian to fall away after he or she had been enlightened, after they had tasted the heavenly gift, after they were made partakers of the Holy Ghost” and after they had “tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come”.
“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26-27 (KJV)
Here the Holy Ghost inspires the writer to say, “For if we sin willfully…there remains no more sacrifice for sins.” Clearly he is talking about Christians here because he uses the pronoun “we”. Actually, the translation “if we” comes from one Greek word meaning “our”, “us”, “we”. So, the actual translation would be “For we sin willfully”. This makes it even more clear. When we sin willfully, there is no more sacrifice for sins. Without sacrifice for our sins, we are lost and without hope.
Once again, our friends attempt to make laws for the kingdom without any authority to do so. We are subjects, Jesus in King. He makes the rules and we follow them or not. As long as we follow the rules, we have the privileges of citizenship. When we resist His rules and decide to go our own way or make rules ourselves, we take our selves out of his Kingdom. The writer of Hebrews is clear about this in at least two passages in his letter.
Do we have a choice today? Of course. We can choose to become a Christian and therefore a subject of the Kingdom of Jesus, or not. Once we have become a Christian, our freedom of choice is not taken away from us. We can choose to sin and fall away. God in His wisdom recognized that this would happen and provided us a way back. In Acts 8:18-24 we are told by Luke about a person, Stephen a magician, who was converted and became a Christian but who sinned by wanting to buy the ability to pass on the gifts of the Holy Ghost. This was restricted to the apostles only, which Peter told him. Stephen was instructed to pray for forgiveness so that he wouldn’t perish with his money.
Use your freedom of Choice well. Become a Christian and choose to remain a Christian.
-Bill Beebe

Volume 2, Issue 1

Family Ties

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Choice (Continued)

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Choice (Continued)

Humbly Pray

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Family Ties

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Choice (Continued)

“Use your freedom of Choice well. Become a Christian and choose to remain a Christian.”
-Bill Beebe

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Evangelism

In order to effectively evangelize, we Christians must be ready to preach the word when it is convenient and when it is not so convenient (2 Timothy 4:2). The Contemporary English Version makes it clear in their translation of Colossians 4:5-6 (CEV) “When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time. Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.” And the English Standard Version is also clear, Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV) “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Make the best use of your time let your speech be gracious and seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each person. What a tremendous thought! But do we always make the best use of our time?
The other night I was cruising the internet and watching YouTube videos. My favorite ones are those showing large-scale remote-control airplanes. Those airplanes are amazing, some are large enough that I am certain that they could carry a small child and the detail that the builders go into is remarkable. I suspect that some of them costs thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours to build. I especially enjoy watching the World War 2 war birds and the modern jets. The problem is that I wind up spending hours watching them, when I could be studying the Bible. While I don’t think it is a sin for people to watch videos like this for recreation, I began to wonder if that wasn’t something that I was doing too much of instead of getting ready for my Bible class this Sunday. And for the class that I will be doing once we finish our Acts study. If watching these videos, or anything else we do, becomes something that prevents us from studying then they become something that we should reduce or eliminate from our lives.
Making the best use of our time, according to Paul in Colossians 4:5-6 is directly linked to being able to answer each person. When Mormon “Elders” knock on your door, are you ready to answer their questions? When the Jehovah’s Witnesses knock can you answer their questions. And when you have an opportunity to discuss Jesus with a co-worker, friend or relative are you ready? These are all valid and timely questions. Paul told Timothy to be ready to preach the gospel “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV). In other words, be ready when it is convenient and when it is not.
The next time the young “Elders” come knocking, instead of trying to figure out how to dismiss them quickly, invite them in and listen to them. Then set up a time for them to come back and have a Bible Study, and invite a brother or sister to join in. And do the same when the Jehovah’s Witnesses come to your door. These are opportunities that we shouldn’t pass up. They have a two-fold advantage. First you may be able to save a lost soul, and second it will cause you to study more as you learn how to better “answer each person”. If they are earnestly interested in both their own souls and yours, they will study openly and sincerely with you. If not, the word will get around and your door will be one that they avoid knocking on.
What does this have to do with choice? A lot, you have a choice to spread the gospel, don’t miss it because you are inconvenienced. And you have the choice to study to prepare to answer their questions, don’t pass that up either. Choose to make wise use of your time and to know how to answer each person who asks a question.
-Bill Beebe

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Answering the Critics: Acts 2:38

I have a study Bible that I bought a few years ago in Arkansas from a local Bible Book Store. I bought it because it was an “Apologetics Study Bible”, and on a quick look at it in the book store I liked the clear English text. It is a Holman’s Christian Standard Version. I had not heard of it before, but the translation seemed to be clear and concise and in modern English. When I got it home and started reading, I really enjoyed the articles and links it had to apologetics. But as I got into studying it more, I noticed that it included things called “Twisted Scriptures”. The first few that I read didn’t seem so bad, in fact I agreed with their conclusions on how some people twist the passage referenced and use it out of context to “prove” their view point. However, they put these comments in the column along with the scripture. While they were marked “Twisted Scriptures” they could easily be read by a person not familiar with the Bible as a part of the text and not as a comment by the editors. As I got farther along, I saw that they had a “Twisted Scripture” comment on Acts 2:38 which directly conflicted with the clear teaching of that verse. While the verse was translated very well, their comment was completely contrary to what Luke had just written. The comment that they provide deals with a comment that Paul made in 1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV) “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Their claim is that Paul made a distinguishing between baptism and the Gospel and since the Gospel is the “power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16) baptism is not required for salvation.
This is, of course, a twisting of the scripture in the purest sense of the phrase. Lets take a close look at Acts 2:38 for a moment. It reads in various translations as follows:
Acts 2:38 (KJV) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 2:38 (ESV) “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 (NKJV) “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 (NASB) “Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 (ASV) “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 (NIV) “Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
And even in the Holman’s Christian Standard Version
Acts 2:38 (HCSB) ““Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
In studying this verse we see that Luke is clearly quoting Peter as saying:
Repent
And be baptized
In the name of Jesus Christ
For the remission of sins
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
There are two forms of grammar that we have to understand clearly to know that Peter is telling us. First is the conjunction “and” and the next is the preposition “for”. The conjunction “and” only carries one meaning and that is that it ties together the word or phrase in front of it with the word or phrase immediately following. We should all remember this from the popular kids show from the 1980’s “Sesame Street”. They had a short section called “Conjunction Junction” and it taught that a conjunction in the English language caused two thoughts to be joined. So whatever applied to the first also applied to the second. The Greek word that Peter (and Luke) uses in this verse is “Kai”. It is pronounced “kale”. Strong’s Talking Greek Hebrew Dictionary says this about it:
Root: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
Part of Speech: conj
Vine's Words: Also, Even (Adverb; etc.), Even as, Even so, Indeed, Likewise, Moreover, Yea, Yes
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
and 8173 also 514 even 108 both 43 then 20 so 18 likewise 13 not tr. 350 miscellaneous translations 31 vr and 1 [Total Count: 9251]
apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words :- and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.1
From this, we can clearly see that the word used is a conjunction which places both the words “repent” and “be baptized” in the same situation. Whatever applies to one, applies to the other. What we apply to “be baptized” must, because of the conjunction “and”, apply to “repent”.
This is important because of the preposition “for”. Our denominational friends are fond of telling us that “for” can mean “because of” as in the sentence “He was in trouble for his grades”
Or it can mean “in order to” as in the sentence “He went to college for a degree in forestry.” In their defense of their doctrine that baptism is not necessary for salvation they insist that “for” here in Acts 2:38 means “because of”.
The problem with their stance though lies with the word “and” and its conjunction function. If we write this verse like they would like for it to read it would state:
“Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”.
Since the conjunction “and” ties together “Repent” and “be baptized” this would actually mean that we are to repent “because of” the remission of sins. In other words, our sins are forgiven before we repent and since they contend that we are baptized because our sins are already forgiven, we only repent because they are already forgiven. This makes no sense and is certainly not supported anywhere else in the Bible.
And if this weren’t adequate to destroy the idea that baptism is not something done in order for the remission of our sins, the Greek word translated into the English word “for” is the word “eis”, pronounced “ice”. Strong says this about it:
a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figurative) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases :- [abundant-] ly, against, among, as, at, [back-] ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for [intent, purpose], fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-) on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore (-unto), throughout, till, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-) until (-to), ...ward, [where-] fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literal or figurative).” (Emphasis added). In addition he states that it is used in 1774 places in the King James version and not a single place is it used in the sense of “because of”. It is translated “into” 573 times, “to” 281 times, “unto” 207 times, “for” 140 times, “in” 138 times, “on” 58 times, “toward” 29 times, “against” 26 times and in 322 instances it has a miscellaneous translation.2
While the English word “for” may mean “because of” the Greek word “eis” from which it is translated never carries that meaning, it only has a meaning of “in order to”.
So, the next time a denominational friend tells you that Acts 2:38 doesn’t mean that we are baptized in order to get our sins forgiven but because they are already forgiven challenge him or her. Ask if we repent because our sins are already forgiven or in order to get forgiveness. Remind them (if they are old enough to remember the 80’s) of “Conjunction junction, what’s your function?” Then point out that if we repent in order to receive forgiveness of our sins, we must be baptized for the same reason. Or if we are baptized because our sins are already forgiven, we repent because they are already forgiven. Otherwise grammar doesn’t mean anything, and we cannot understand our own language.
The next time you are challenged on Acts 2:38, choose to be ready to respond! Don’t just avoid the subject but challenge them to explain how clear and precise language can be so easily misunderstood.
-Bill Beebe
REFERENCES:
1James Strong, Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary, (Austin, TX: WORDsearch Corp., 2007), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "2532".
2James Strong, Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary, (Austin, TX: WORDsearch Corp., 2007), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "1519".

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Answering the Critics: Acts 2:38

Volume 2, Issue 1

Family Ties

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Answering the Critics: Acts 2:38

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Women to Women

“Therefore, while in His word, we need to ponder about what we can use our hands for, for we are being guided by God’s word.”
- Lois Whittaker

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Women to Women (Continued)

Hello Ladies,
First, please let me say, thank you to all of you, who have made me feel welcomed, held warm hugs, and given handshakes! I appreciate you.
I was asked to incorporate some writing into the, “Ladies” section in this quarterly thought of words to live by.
As you can see from the above article, there is much power in our hands!
God has given us so much that it can be hard to recognize at times, because our power comes from the Lord God whom not only created us, but gave it much thought, don’t you think?
God saw to it, that we Christian women are vital in carrying out His word using our hands too. He gave us great spiritual women to emulate like Ruth, Esther, Lydia, Mary Magdalen, and Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus.
Now, in the book of Galatians 5:22-23, it tells us to support each other and serve one another in love by demonstrating the fruits of the spirit which are, “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-controlled. Against such things there is no law”.
In all actuality, we are Christian wives, mothers, aunts, daughters, sisters, and a friend to someone, all of whom are in the role of being Christian women of God, and we ought to always edify and comfort each other too!
In serving each other using our hands, we become bonded in God’s word and His kingdom. Most Powerful, and growing in the word ever more, Matthew 5:21 says, “You are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden”. As long as you are alive, you will have a light that can be seen! We need to be a bright light! A righteous light, keeping God close!
We should reflect upon the goodness that comes from our hands, seeking the harmony that we bring to God’s kingdom. With every action we do with our hands, we are a reflection of God.
We need to believe in ourselves. So special we are to God, we can say, “I’m someone who has the light of God in me. I want to set an example for someone.
My hands can contribute more. My hands will convey a heartfelt meaning in everything I do, and everywhere I go”!
As the years go by, and quickly they do, embrace your hands and the accomplishments that you created with them, knowing you’re loved by God.
It is OK to be under construction! Keep using those hands, seeking, hearing, and pressing onward to the goal that leads to eternity with Christ! Once we claim to be a Christian, we will influence someone! What an opportunity to share the Gospel!
Along with so many of you, I’m grateful for each day to have a chance to use my hands and have a Lord we can trust in. Never give up! God is waiting to comfort you and carry your burdens through!
Therefore, while in His word, we need to ponder about what we can use our hands for, for we are being guided by God’s word.
Yours in Christ,
Lois Whittaker
Scripture taken from the NIV Study Bible, 10 Anniversary Edition, Copyright 1995, by The Zondervan Corporation.

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Technicalities

“Are you telling me that just because I don’t belong to your church, or just because I haven’t been baptized into the remission of sins, or just because I use the instrument when I worship God, or just because I don’t attend every worship service, or just because I don’t partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday—that I can’t make it to heaven? I can’t believe that God would condemn me on a technicality! Besides, that’s legalistic!”
Many, many religious people are characterized by this attitude. Their perceptions of God and His grace serve to minimize the necessity of being overly concerned about strict obedience to every command of God. This attitude is manifested in the idea that arriving at correct doctrine is irrelevant to establishing a right relationship with God. But this is precisely what the Bible teaches. Doctrinal purity does not necessarily guarantee a right relationship with God, but a right relationship with God is impossible without doctrinal purity. Both “spirit and truth” (i.e., proper attitude and proper adherence to truth—John 4:24) are essential to a right relationship with God. Even if some religious individuals give the impression that they have gone “overboard” on truth, yet with insufficient attention to proper attitude, no solution is achieved by abandoning, compromising, or softening adherence to truth in an effort to accept those who are determined to remain unconformed to truth.
The very nature of God and truth is at stake in this discussion. Truth, by its very definition, is narrow, specific, fixed, and technical. God is a God of truth Who operates within the parameters of truth. Since He is God, He does not, and cannot, vary from truth and right. Man’s definition of what constitutes a “technicality” rarely matches God’s definition. More often than not, the very items that humans brush aside as unimportant and trivial, are those things upon which God lays great importance. Herein lies the crux of man’s problem. We decide what we think is important, and then proceed to structure our religion around those self-stylized premises, assuming divine sanction and “grace.” Never mind the fact that “it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Never mind the fact that “the wisdom of this world” is foolish to God (1 Corinthians 1:20). And never mind the fact that such an attitude and approach betrays great arrogance.
In everyday living, we understand very well the principle that those things that appear to be trivial or mere technicalities can be crucial to survival. The incorrect dosage of medicine in a medical emergency—even milligrams—can mean the difference between life and death. One or two miles over the speed limit can secure the offender a ticket. Accidentally putting gasoline into a diesel engine can ruin an automobile. I suppose one could label each of these examples as “technicalities,” but doing so does not alter the magnitude of their importance or the extent to which they impact reality.
In biblical history, the same principle holds true. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden for eating from one piece of fruit from one tree (Genesis 3). Nadab and Abihu—the right boys, at the right place, at the right time, with the right censers and the right incense—nevertheless were destroyed for incorporating foreign fire into their incense offering (Leviticus 10:1-2). Moses was excluded from entrance into the Promised Land because of his one mistake at Kadesh—striking a rock instead of speaking to it (Numbers 20:7-12). Saul was deposed as king for sparing the best sheep and cattle, and the life of one individual out of an entire nation (1 Samuel 15). Uzzah was struck dead for merely reaching out and steadying the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:6-7). God rejected Uzziah because he entered the temple, merely to burn incense (2 Chronicles 26).
Many more examples could be considered. These are no more “technical” or “trivial” than New Testament regulations pertaining to vocal (as opposed to instrumental) music in worship (Ephesians 5:19), unleavened bread and fruit of the vine at the Lord’s Table (Matthew 26:26-29), and the qualifications of elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13). We must refrain from attempting to second-guess God, or deciding for ourselves what we think is important to Him—“that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). We need to be attentive to “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27)—even those portions that humans deem unimportant or peripheral. When people are clamoring, “Those matters are not salvation issues,” we need to reaffirm the words of Jesus, “These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” (Matthew 23:23).
Written By: Dave Miller, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2003 Apologetics Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://www.apologeticspress.org

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Calling on the Name of the Lord

Considering how many people within “Christendom” teach that an individual can be saved merely by professing a belief in Christ, it is not surprising that skeptics claim that the Bible contradicts itself in this regard. Although Peter and Paul declared, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; cf. Joel 2:32), skeptics quickly remind their readers that Jesus once stated: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21; cf. Luke 6:46). Allegedly, Matthew 7:21 clashes with such passages as Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 (see Morgan, 2003; Wells, 2001). Since many professed Christians seem to equate “calling on the name of the Lord” with the idea of saying to Jesus, “Lord, save me,” Bible critics feel even more justified in their pronouncement of “conflicting testimonies.” How can certain professed followers of Christ claim that they were saved by simply “calling out to Christ,” when Christ Himself proclaimed that a mere calling upon Him would not save a person?
The key to correctly understanding the phrase “calling on the name of the Lord” is to recognize that more is involved in this action than a mere verbal petition directed toward God. The “call” mentioned in Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13, and Acts 22:16 (where Paul was “calling on the name of the Lord”), is not equated with the “call” (“Lord, Lord”) Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:21).
First, it is appropriate to mention that even in modern times, to “call on” someone frequently means more than simply making a request for something. When a doctor goes to the hospital to “call on” some of his patients, he does not merely walk into the room and say, “I just wanted to come by and say, ‘Hello.’ I wish you the best. Now pay me.” On the contrary, he involves himself in a service. He examines the patient, listens to the patient’s concerns, gives further instructions regarding the patient’s hopeful recovery, and then oftentimes prescribes medication. All of these elements may be involved in a doctor “calling upon” a patient. In the mid-twentieth century, it was common for young men to “call on” young ladies. Again, this expression meant something different than just “making a request” (Brown, 1976, p. 5).
Second, when an individual takes the time to study how the expression “calling on God” is used throughout Scripture, the only reasonable conclusion to draw is that, just as similar phrases sometimes have a deeper meaning in modern America, the expression “calling on God” often had a deeper meaning in Bible times. Take, for instance, Paul’s statement recorded in Acts 25:11: “I appeal unto Caesar.” The word “appeal” (epikaloumai) is the same word translated “call” (or “calling”) in Acts 2:21, 22:16, and Romans 10:13. But, Paul was not simply saying, “I’m calling on Caesar to save me.” As James Bales noted:
Paul, in appealing to Caesar, was claiming the right of a Roman citizen to have his case judged by Caesar. He was asking that his case be transferred to Caesar’s court and that Caesar hear and pass judgment on his case. In so doing, he indicated that he was resting his case on Caesar’s judgment. In order for this to be done Paul had to submit to whatever was necessary in order for his case to be brought before Caesar. He had to submit to the Roman soldiers who conveyed him to Rome. He had to submit to whatever formalities or procedure Caesar demanded of those who came before him. All of this was involved in his appeal to Caesar (1960, pp. 81-82, emp. added).
Paul’s “calling” to Caesar involved his submission to him. “That, in a nutshell,” wrote T. Pierce Brown, “is what ‘calling on the Lord’ involves”—obedience (1976, p. 5). It is not a mere verbal recognition of God, or a verbal petition to Him. Those whom Paul (before his conversion to Christ) sought to bind in Damascus—Christians who were described as people “who call on Your [Jehovah’s] name”—were not people who only prayed to God, but those who were serving the Lord, and who, by their obedience, were submitting themselves to His authority (cf. Matthew 28:18). Interestingly, Zephaniah 3:9 links one’s “calling” with his “service”: “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord” (emp. added). When a person submits to the will of God, he accurately can be described as “calling on the Lord.” Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 (among other passages) do not contradict Matthew 7:21, because to “call on the Lord” entails more than just pleading for salvation; it involves submitting to God’s will. According to Colossians 3:17, every single act a Christian performs (in word or deed) should be carried out by Christ’s authority. For a non-Christian receiving salvation, this is no different. In order to obtain salvation, a person must submit to the Lord’s authority. This is what the passages in Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 are teaching; it is up to us to go elsewhere in the New Testament to learn how to call upon the name of the Lord.
After Peter quoted the prophecy of Joel and told those in Jerusalem on Pentecost that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21), he told them how to go about “calling on the name of the Lord.” The people in the audience in Acts 2 did not understand Peter’s quotation of Joel to mean that an alien sinner must pray to God for salvation. [Their question in Acts 2:37 (“Men and brethren, what shall we do?”) indicates such.] Furthermore, when Peter responded to their question and told them what to do to be saved, he did not say, “I’ve already told you what to do. You can be saved by petitioning God for salvation through prayer. Just call on His name.” On the contrary, Peter had to explain to them what it meant to “call on the name of the Lord.” Instead of repeating this statement when the crowd sought further guidance from the apostles, Peter commanded them, saying, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (2:38). Notice the parallel between Acts 2:21 and 2:38:
Peter’s non-Christian listeners learned that “calling on the name of the Lord for salvation” was equal to obeying the Gospel, which approximately 3,000 did that very day by repenting of their sins and being baptized into Christ (2:38,41).
But what about Romans 10:13? What is the “call” mentioned in this verse? Notice Romans 10:11-15:
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (emp. added).
Although this passage does not define precisely what is meant by one “calling on the name of the Lord,” it does indicate that an alien sinner cannot “call” until after he has heard the Word of God and believed it. Such was meant by Paul’s rhetorical questions: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” Paul’s statements in this passage are consistent with Peter’s proclamations in Acts 2. It was only after the crowd on Pentecost believed in the resurrected Christ Whom Peter preached (as is evident by their being “cut to the heart” and their subsequent question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”) that Peter told them how to call on the name of the Lord and be saved (2:38).
Perhaps the clearest description of what it means for an alien sinner to “call on the name of the Lord” is found in Acts 22. As the apostle Paul addressed the mob in Jerusalem, he spoke of his encounter with the Lord, Whom he asked, “What shall I do?” (22:10; cf. 9:6). The answer Jesus gave Him at that time was not “call on the name of the Lord.” Instead, Jesus instructed him to “arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do” (22:10). Paul (or Saul—Acts 13:9) demonstrated his belief in Jesus as he went into the city and waited for further instructions. In Acts 9, we learn that during the next three days, while waiting to meet with Ananias, Paul fasted and prayed (vss. 9,11). Although some today might consider what Paul was doing at this point as “calling on the name of the Lord,” Ananias, God’s chosen messenger to Paul, did not think so. He did not tell Paul, “I see you have already called on God. Your sins are forgiven.” After three days of fasting and praying, Paul still was lost in his sins. Even though he obviously believed at this point, and had prayed to God, he had yet to “call on the name of the Lord” for salvation. When Ananias finally came to Paul, he told him: “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (22:16). Ananias knew that Paul had not yet “called on the name of the Lord,” just as Peter knew that those on Pentecost had not done so before his command to “repent and be baptized.” Thus, Ananias instructed Paul to “be baptized, and wash away your sins.” The participle phrase, “calling on the name of the Lord,” describes what Paul was doing when he was baptized for the remission of his sins. Every non-Christian who desires to “call on the name of the Lord” to be saved, does so, not simply by saying, “Lord, Lord” (cf. Matthew 7:21), or just by wording a prayer to God (e.g., Paul—Acts 9; 22; cf. Romans 10:13-14), but by obeying God’s instructions to “repent and be baptized…in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
This is not to say that repentance and baptism have always been (or are always today) synonymous with “calling on the name of the Lord.” Abraham was not baptized when he “called upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 12:8; cf. 4:26), because baptism was not demanded of God before New Testament times. And, as I mentioned earlier, when the New Testament describes people who are already Christians as “calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 9:14,21; 1 Corinthians 1:2), it certainly does not mean that Christians continually were being baptized for the remission of their sins after having been baptized to become a Christian (cf. 1 John 1:5-10). Depending on when and where the phrase is used, “calling on the name of the Lord” includes: (1) obedience to the gospel plan of salvation; (2) worshiping God; and (3) faithful service to the Lord (Bates, 1979, p. 5). However, it never is used in the sense that all the alien sinner must do in order to be saved is to cry out and say, “Lord, Lord, save me.”
Thus, the skeptic’s allegation that Matthew 7:21 contradicts Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 is unsubstantiated. And, the professed Christian who teaches that all one must do to be saved is just say the sinner’s prayer, is in error.
Written By: Eric Lyons
REFERENCES:
Bales, James (1960), The Hub of the Bible—Or—Acts Two Analyzed (Shreveport, LA: Lambert Book House).
Bates, Bobby (1979), “Whosoever Shall Call Upon the Name of the Lord Shall be Saved,” Firm Foundation, 96:5, March 20.
Brown, T. Pierce (1976), “Calling on His Name,” Firm Foundation, 93:5, July 20.
Morgan, Donald (2003), “Biblical Inconsistencies,” [On-line], URL: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/donald_morgan/inconsistencies.shtml.
Wells, Steve (2001), Skeptic’s Annotated Bible, [On-line], URL: http://www.Skepticsannotatedbible.com.
Copyright © 2004 Apologetics Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://www.apologeticspress.org

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Calling on the Name of the Lord (Continued)

Acts 2:21	Whoever	Calls	On the name of the Lord	Shall be saved
Acts 2:38	Everyone of you	Repent and be baptized	In the name of / Jesus Christ	For the remission of sins

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Calling on the Name of the Lord (Continued)

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Calling on the Name of the Lord (Continued)

Paul Stone: Elder

As most of us know, Paul Stone was appointed as an Elder recently. Paul will work with Ed and Hans to provide guidance to our congregation. The following is his biography:
Paul was born and raised in Colorado. At the age of 18 he moved to Alaska and lived in Seward for approximately 4 years. It was there that he met his lovely wife, Alice. The two were married in 1987 and then both converted after studying with Brad Holm of the Seward congregation. They moved from Seward to Colorado (via Nevada) in 1989 with intentions to work and raise the family there. Paul and Alice have 3 children, Christine, Luke and Aubrey. In 2002, Paul made the decision to go to Bible School and give himself completely to the work of the Lord. He graduated from the Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin, Texas in 2004. He has done local work in both Dripping Springs and London, Texas. He has done mission work in Jamaica and Alaska. In July of 2007, Paul took the work in Seward, Alaska, and worked with the congregation there as a minister for approximately 10 years. Paul has been with the Wasilla congregation since that time.

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Cross Word Puzzle: Joshua 24:15-17

Across / 2 he it is that _______ us up / 3 or the gods of the ________ / 5 For the Lord ___ God / 6 side of the _____ / 11 and _____ all the people / 16 and _________ us in all the way / 17 If it sounds evil this day to _____ the Lord / 18 we will serve the ____ / 19 through whom we ______ / 21 that we should _______ the Lord / 23 and out fathers out of the land of _____ / 24 which your _______ served		Down / 1 God ______ that we / 4 from the house of _______ / 7 And the ______ answered / 8 ______ you this day / 9 in whose ____ / 10 and my _____ / 12 Whether the ____ which your fathers / 13 but as for __ / 14 And if it seem ____ unto you / 15 ane which did those _____ / 20 which did those great _____ / 22 on the _____side

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Word Search: Joshua 24:15-17

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Cross Word Puzzle: Phillipians 1:21-26

Across / 2 To be with ______ / 5 fruit of my ______ / 9 And joy of _____ / 10 In Jesus Christ for me by my ______to you again / 11 In the flesh is more _______ for you / 14 I shall abide and ________ with you / 15 What shall I ______ / 16 That your _________ / 17 May be more ________ / 18 for your ___________		Down / 1 Which is far ______ / 3 Having this __________ / 4 For I am in a ________ / 6 Nevertheless to _____ / 7 But it I live in the _____ / 8 and to ___ is gain / 12 For me to live is ______ / 13 having a desire to ______

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Word Search: Ephesians 1:1-14

church of Christ at Wasilla
2061 N. Merciful Circle
Wasilla, AK 99654
Phone: 907-373-5773
Website: www.churchofchristwasilla.com

Family News

Things are happening at the church of Christ at Wasilla!
Paul and Alice Stone have moved to the Valley and are becoming more active in the church here at Wasilla. We are truly appreciative of them and their family.
Steve and Abbey are in Juneau for the legislative session. Please keep them in your prayers while they are gone. Pray for their efforts to improve our state.
We have two families that are expecting new arrivals soon. Jennifer Morigeau and Beverly Murdock will bring new life to our family. Pray for them and the health of their babies! Remember Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV) “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
Our Vacation Bible School will be held May 27-31, 2019. Please contact Tom or Joe if you can help. They will need a lot of help to make it a success.
Along with the VBS, we will conduct a door knocking campaign a couple of weeks before the beginning of VBS. The emphasis will be to try to set up bible studies and to advertise our VBS. If you are willing to work with us on this effort let Bill Beebe know.
We have had a lot of success with our monthly Men’s Coffee and Bible Study, the monthly Breakfast and the Young Men’s Training sessions. We encourage everyone who can to attend one or both of these activities.
We have also started a bi-monthly class where the instruction of Paul to Titus. In Titus 2:3-4 (NKJV) Paul says this. “…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,” Our hope is that the wisdom gained over years and years of living and being wives will be passed onto the next generation so that they will learn how to be Christian women and wives. Contact Ed, Hans, Paul or Bill for information.
We have several Bible studies on-going each week. In addition to our bible studies on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, we have other studies that are more individual in nature. Daniel, Ben, Tom, Joe and Joshua meet on Tuesday mornings at Kaladi Brothers to study. Then about midday, Bill and Arnold and sometimes others meet at Arnolds for a short Bible study. Following that, Daniel and Bill meet at 11:00 on Thursday’s at Krazy Moose for lunch and a Bible Study. If you are interested in any of these contact one of the attendees for the next scheduled study and the topics. If you are interested in starting up another personal study, contact Bill.
Our theme for all our evangelical efforts this year will be “Dedicated for 2019”. We will encourage each other to be dedicated to God and to the truth found in the Bible throughout 2019 and beyond. Our dedication to God should cause us to obey all of His commandments, to search the scriptures daily, to spread the gospel and to practice love for God and one another.

2061 N. Merciful Circle
Wasilla, AK 99654

Ephesians 3:14-21 (KJV)
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (KJV) 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil

Philippians 4:3 (ESV) Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

church of Christ at Wasilla

Acts 17:10-12 (KJV) 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few