Category OBJECTIONS

6 More simple objections pt6; The Jailer is just told to believe.

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Philippian Jailer Story of Salvation – The Afton Wesleyan Church

SIMPLE OBJECTION #6; ‘The Jailer in Acts 16 was just told to believe. “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [Acts 16:30]

The Objection goes like this: “This is the only time in scripture that someone asks the question, ‘what must I do to be saved?’ He was told to just ‘believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’ Therefore, the way to be saved is by faith only.” We answer this simple objection by just looking at the text.

JESUS was unknown to him. Was this pagan Jailer in a position at that moment to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? No, he would have to be taught Who, how, and what to believe. He still needed to hear. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” [Romans 10:17]

He ASKED how to be saved. He recognizes action upon his part. If the error about miraculous drawing to God is true, wouldn’t his response be different? The error claims that man can do nothing on his own! He asks what to DO! “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” [Romans 10:16]

He is INFORMED about who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke records: “they spoke the word of the Lord to him” [Acts 16:32]. They preached Jesus to him which is the Gospel [cr. Acts 8:35-36]. The urgency is present, for all of this took place the same hour of the night which is just past midnight [v25].

He LISTENED to the Gospel. If John 20:30-31 & Romans 10:17 can be trusted, the words that Paul & Silas told the Jailer were sufficient to generate faith in him. Those same words preaching Jesus certainly included the information about repentance & baptism [cr. Acts 8:34-36] for how else did he know to wash their stripes and be baptized ‘the same hour of the night?” [Acts 16:33]

He EXPEDITIOUSLY OBEYED the Gospel. The Gospel is the Death, Burial & Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see the Jailer doing exactly that, obeying the gospel having HEARD, BELIEVED, REPENTED, CONFESSING (inferred) and being BAPTIZED. [cr. 1Cor 15:1-4; Rom 6:3-4; 10:9]. The Jailer did it the SAME HOUR OF THE NIGHT! He didn’t wait until morning or until any monthly scheduling of group baptisms. If baptism is not essential to salvation, why the urgency? In Acts 8, why stop the chariot?

He REJOICED after he repented (washed their stripes) and was baptized. It was only AFTER the Jailer had heard, believed, repented and was baptized that he was able to REJOICE having believed in God. It is clear that belief & obedience truly are connected [Rom 10:16]. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:” [Matt 7:24ff]

A careful examination of the context shows us that the Jailer obeyed the Gospel. When you add with this account the other accounts of those being saved in the book of Acts you will find a complete picture about how to be saved.

6 MORE simple objections pt5; It doesn’t say, ‘and is not baptized.’

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Mark 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he ...

 

SIMPLE OBJECTION #5; It doesn’t say, ‘and is not baptized.’

The Objection goes like this: “If baptism was important, how come Jesus didn’t say, ‘and is NOT baptized’ in the second part of Mark 16:16. If both parts are not present in the second half, then the part omitted is unnecessary.”

This falls under the silly category, not just the simple. Yet, I was given this objection recently in an online discussion. NO, the second part of verse 16 doesn’t say, ‘and is not baptized,’ and it doesn’t need to. The second part is contingent upon the completion of the first part. Look at the following illustration.

OMISSION of the second part is completely logical without the presence of the first part. “He that has food & eats it shall be nourished. But he that does not have food will perish.” If you don’t have the 1st part, the second part avails you nothing.

When you TAKE AWAY any part you won’t be saved. The person without belief is condemned already. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” [John 3:18] “Without faith it’s impossible to please God.” [Heb 11:6]

6 More Simple Objections pt4; What if I’m in a desert?

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What Really Turned the Sahara Desert From a Green Oasis Into a ...

 

SIMPLE OBJECTION #4; What if you’re in a DESERT?

I heard his objection and the next one just this week in my public evangelism. They really are being used. An associate pastor [I don’t know what an associate pastor is] said, ‘What if you’re in a desert and want to be baptized, then what?” I replied, ‘Let me show you a bible passage.’ He ignored me and walked away. Folks, these are not straw man arguments, they are being used by error to justify disobedience to God. Let’s reason together and learn how to answer them.

The Objection goes like this: “Baptism isn’t required because if a believer was in a desert or on a battlefield, they would not be able to be baptized.” These kinds of “what if” arguments prove nothing and don’t change what God has said. They actually lead to error, ie, Sprinkling instead of immersion. God can extend mercy as He sees fit however, we are not God and only know what God has revealed to us. [Deut 29:29]

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

[1Thess 5:21]

DON’T GO beyond the word of the Lord. I cannot go beyond or below the word of the Lord. Consider carefully these passages about adding to or taking away from God’s word.

  • Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. [Deut 4:2]
  • What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. [Deut 12:32]
  • For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. [Rev 22:18]
  • Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. [Prov 30:6]

EXCLUDING one command that saves EXCLUDES them all. What saves us? Look at the chart on the last page. All of these are essential.

SALVATION is at the place God puts it. Forgiveness is at faithful baptism. God drew the line of salvation at baptism. We’re not the final judge. All we can say is that such a person does not have a Biblical hope of salvation.

  • And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. [Acts 22:16]
  • 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]
  • He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [Mark 16:16]
  • The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1Peter 3:21]
  • 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? [Acts 8:36]

EXCEPTIONS come from God, not man. God gave the children of Israel an exception to the Passover timing [Num 9:9-13]. God gave it, not man. We cannot go beyond the word of the Lord to do good or to do evil. [Mat 7:21-23] It’s presumptuous to speak where God is silent. “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.” [Deu 18:20] While we have no authority for stoning law breakers, the principle still applies. God makes the rules. [cf. 2Timothy 2:5] There are no exceptions to baptism.

REPLACING commands of God has been tried & failed. Naaman tried that. [2Kings 5:1-14]. A key verse: “My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” [v13]

TURNING AWAY from the command of God is rebellion & blasphemous. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.” [1Sam 15:23; John 12:42; 6:66]

This objection leaves us to wonder if it’s really about ability or willingness.

–Spencer

6 More Simple Objections pt3; What if I die on the way to baptism?

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Apologetics Press - Do We Die to Sin Before Baptism or In Baptism?

 

SIMPLE OBJECTION #3; What if someone dies on the way to be baptized?

The Objection goes like this: “What if a person believes in Jesus and is saved, but on the way to be baptized they are killed before they can be baptized? I think God will save them because they were actively seeking to do the will of God.”

How to Answer: The first thing to note is that a usual part of this objection is the line, ‘they are saved after believing.’ There is no salvation by faith alone. It’s a subtle twist in the objection, so be sure you note it and correct it. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” [Mark 16:16]

Once that is addressed, you can move on to answer the main objection. What if I die GOING to the water?

First, remind them of GOD’S PLAN. We don’t get our authority through ‘I think, my opinion’ etc. The Bible states that we must first believe the Gospel, that Jesus is the Son of God, repent from our sins and to be baptized for the remission of our sins:

  • “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
  • “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).
  • “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:47).

Repent means to turn away from your sins. Remission means forgiveness.

Next, the objection stands if you can find just ONE PERSON who doesn’t need to be baptized. If so, then nobody needs be baptized. They want the made-up exception to be the rule. We have no authority to make exceptions to God’s commands.

IMMEDIACY is seen in the text. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16; cr. Acts 16:33).

NOBODY is saved until they obey the Gospel. [2Thess 1:8; Rom 10:16-17]. Believers Baptized in water is the dividing line.

GOD KNOWS the end from the beginning. If questions will lead to every kind of disobedience. Here’s one, what if a person is on the way & will hear the Gospel and would have believed, but dies before hearing? I’ve had folks tell me the person would be saved! That means they’re saved before BELIEF! This is an egregious error based on ‘what if’ scenarios. ‘What If’ questions have no part in determining authority. The Word from God written in His scripture is our source for information. [Col 3:16]

Now, what does baptism represent? It represents Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” (Rom 6:3-6). [cr. Col 2:12; Acts 8:35-37; Acts 22:16; Gal 3:27]

 

–Spencer

6 more simple objections pt2 What’s in the water?

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Charts by Don McClain Prepared April 23-25, 2015 / Preached April 26, 2015 West 65th Street church of Christ P.O. Box 1900...

 

6 more SIMPLE OBJECTION #2; What happens when you’re under the water at baptism?

The Objection goes like this: “What’s in the Water?” They mostly ask this in a mocking tone as if we believe in ‘magic water.’ This seldom is asked seeking an answer. Let’s answer this question without the mockery in which it is asked.

WATER has been in God’s word for a long time. Noah was saved by Water. Peter says in his 1st letter, “eight souls were saved by water.” [3:20]. He uses that example to explain that Water Baptism saves us. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” [21]

At another place, Naaman was told to dip (be baptized) in water to rid himself leprosy. [2King 5:9-14] According to the Holy Spirit through Paul, Moses & Israel were baptized by the waters of the Red sea; “And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” [1Cor 10:2] These are just 3 examples of many. People that reject water baptism are rejecting God’s use of water throughout scripture.

ACTIVE FAITH is in the water. Submission to God’s commands is in the water. Paul said, “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:” [Acts 26:19] What did Paul (then called Saul) obey? He was BAPTIZED. [Acts 22:16] James chapter 2 clearly shows that faith is active & obedient.

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” [2:24]

TRUSTING faith is in the Water. We trust that God cleanses us of sins & saves us in the water. We can’t do it; we submit through faith.

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” [Col 2:12. emph mine seb] That phrase, ‘the operation of God’ is showing that God is doing the work while we are faithfully submitting to His will to repent & be baptized. [Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 8:35-38; 22:16] Trusting Faith is in the water.

ENTRANCE into the church is in the water. Jesus is the savior of the church (His body). [Eph 5:23; 1:22-23; Col 1:18]

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” [Acts 2:41]

“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” [Acts 2:47]

 

This is not local church membership as some have supposed. Water Baptism is when GOD adds to the universal church of Christ. Denominational baptism is not God’s baptism.

 

RESURRECTION to newness of life can only occur after Death, Burial & Baptism into water. Salvation occurs upon faithful baptism. [Acts 2:41; 16:30-34] Baptism is obedience to the Gospel. Jesus will take vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel [2Thess 1:8-9]. How does one obey the gospel? Since the gospel is the Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus [1Cor 15:1-4], It harmonizes that water baptism is Death to sin, a Burial and Resurrection to walk in newness of life. [Rom 6:3-4]

Sprinkling or pouring are not emblematic of a burial. [Col 2:12]

 

–Spencer

6 more SIMPLE OBJECTIONS pt1

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Nice ways to say you're wrong in English - The London School of ...

 

6 more SIMPLE OBJECTIONS pt1.

These are called simple objections because they could have been easily answered by the questioner through a casual reading of the text. In some cases, the objection has a mocking tone and aren’t very serious. Even then, with the application of a bit of reason they are easily answered.

God has said, “Come now, and let us reason together,” [Isaiah 1:18]

Faith in God is not blind. There is a preponderance of evidence that we may reason & consider. [Heb 11:1,6]

These simple objections are presented with this in mind, Let’s Reason Together.

 

SIMPLE OBJECTION #1; Was Saul (later called Paul) saved on the road to Damascus?”

This objection sounds like this; “Saul (later called Paul) saved when he fell off his horse on the road to Damascus.”

The Objection may be answered this way: Not everyone mentions a horse, but when they do you should recognize that this person either hasn’t read the passage or isn’t handling it aright. A casual reading of [Acts 9:1-9; 22:1-16; 26:12-20] will show that no horse is ever mentioned. This is a clear example of someone ADDING to God’s word.

This is an important first defense to many objections, are they accurately portraying what the text actually says? By going to the text, many misunderstandings could be readily cleared with a careful reading of scripture.

Here are 4 more answers to this simple objection:

If Paul was saved on the road to Damascus then why was he SAD, SCARED & SIGHTLESS for 3 days? For a saved person, he is the saddest saved person on record. Everyone else is rejoicing for their salvation. [Acts 9:6; 18; 22:10-16; cr Acts 8:39]

He was told to ARISE and go into Damascus to be told what to do. If he was saved on the road, he was saved without his knowledge of the gospel or the things he must do. ANANIAS had to tell him what to do. [Acts 9:6; 22:10].

His sins were yet UNWASHED. If he was saved on the way to Damascus, he was still in his sins. Ananias said, “arise and be baptized, washing away your sins.” [Acts 22:16] Can anyone assert that salvation occurs with one’s sins? This doesn’t make any sense.

Saul still needed to LEARN what he must do. Jesus didn’t tell him he was saved. For 3 days he waited Sightless & Afraid, deep in prayer and fasting. Why? Because he, as do we all, needed to hear the words of eternal life. Just as Cornelius in Acts 10:6, 22, 33. Romans 10:14, which Paul (previously Saul of whom we’re speaking about) wrote, “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?”

Instead of telling him what to do to be saved, Jesus sent him to Damascus where a preacher, Ananias, would tell him the words on how to be saved.

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

[1Cor 1:21 emph. mine seb]

No, Saul was not saved on the road to Damascus. He was saved when he obeyed the Gospel. The message hasn’t changed for us today. [Rom 6:3-4]

We must Hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, Believe it, Repent of our sins, Confess that Jesus is the Christ and be Baptized for the remission (removal) of our sins. We are then to live faithfully until death. It was the same for Saul, it is the same for us, it is the same for everyone. God is no respecter of person.

 

–Spencer

OBJECTIONS to the GOSPEL pt7

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almost objection meme | Vladyboy1337 | Flickr

OBJECTIONS #10; Salvation by Grace ALONE, through Faith ALONE, in Christ ALONE.

This objection sounds like this; “We are saved by Grace ALONE, through Faith ALONE, in Christ ALONE. That’s what Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches. We who are chosen by God are gifted with salvation, nothing, not baptism nor faithfulness has anything to do with our salvation.”

In case you’re unfamiliar, this erroneous viewpoint has its foundation in Calvinism. Calvinism is the error that God chooses before hand each individual that will be saved and each individual that will be lost. If God hasn’t chosen you, there is zero way for you to be saved regardless how much you try to obey Him. Conversely, if He has chosen you, there is no amount of rejection you can do to prevent it. Eventually you will have your heart changed by the Holy Spirit (even if against your will) and submit to God.

HOW CAN WE RESPOND?

Grace is a GIFT; it is unmerited favor. It is God’s part of our salvation in the demonstration of His love by giving His Son. Rom 5:8-10.

When people point at Eph 2:8-9 to prove that baptism is useless, we should remind them what Paul taught the Ephesians when he first encountered them in Acts 19:1-5. He taught them to be IMMERSED in water (baptized) in the name of Jesus Christ.

Next, you can show them that FAITH is man’s part of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “through FAITH.” Grace is God’s gift; FAITH is our response to His gift of Grace. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing.” In Romans 10:16 the Holy Spirit uses faith & obedience interchangeably. “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?””

“Through faith” is our part, it’s our trust in God’s working when we’re baptized. “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” [Colossians 2:12]

Jesus points out that belief is a work we are to do [John 6:29; cr. 1Thess 1:3; 1John 3:23]. This evidence demonstrates that man has a work to receive the grace of God, which brings us to the next point…

Verse 10 shows that we’re given a TASK to do from God. This work (Eph 2:10) is prepared by God that we should walk in them. This verse is not rejecting any work, just the work that man invents. There are two kinds of work.

1) Works that mankind invents, in which they can boast.

2) Works of God that God commands us to obey, through which God works. [Col 2:12]

“buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” [Col 2:12] (emph. mine seb)

Baptism is that kind of work. Obeying the Gospel is a work of faith on our part, fully trusting in God’s promise to save. None of us has the power to wash away our sins, God does that. None of us can die & take ourselves to heaven, God can.

Our job is to do His works, through our faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” [Heb 11:6]

–Spencer

Objections pt6 #9 I don’t want to ARGUE

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Overcoming Client Objections to Increasing PPC Budgets

OBJECTIONS #9; No Arguing, No Debating.

This objection sounds like this; “Christians aren’t supposed to argue or debate. “Do all things without protests and arguments; [Phil 2:14](BBE)”

While it certainly is true that we’re not to argue over vain things, [1Tim 6:20] it is NOT true that we’re not to debate or ‘contend’ for the faith [Jude 1:3].

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” [2Tim 2:24-26]

We do need to be careful, for if we continue to push, they’ll redirect their objection toward you saying, “You’re ARROGANT, or unloving.

What we must recognize is they’ve REACHED the end of their ability to defend their error. When a person is still resistant but no longer has a defense, they become embarrassed & or angry. Otherwise they would continue talking. They’re stopping you because they’ve GOTTEN you on a technicality.

There are a few things that may be going on. They may be UNINTERESTED in the truth [2Thess 2:10-12]. They might be UNCERTAIN but not ready, like Festus [Acts 26:24]. Maybe they’re UNCONVINCED [Acts 26:28]. In any case, be careful, they may become UNHINGED [Acts 7:54].

The gospel always works in inducing an EMOTIONAL response. It could be anger, apathy or acceptance in Godly sorrow. So, what do we do when it’s turning towards anger? Hear this Proverb…

“A soft answer turneth away wrath:” [Prov 15:1]

Here are 4 steps to gving a SOFT answer:

STAY calm & don’t respond in kind. Never allow yourself to get angry or upset at any objection. Never allow a conversation to escalate into an emotional argument. We must always stay on the essential topics and not argue ‘vain babblings.’ “… be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” [Jas 1:19].

Stop talking, no longer OPEN your mouth with new information. It’s clear they want to stop. Let them alone. [Mat 15:14].

A huge part of evangelism is patience & FORBEARANCE. To endure the continual barrage of rejections. But we must remember, they’re not necessarily rejecting you, they’re ultimately rejecting God [1Sam 8:7].

Lastly, TAKE off your shoes and shake the dust off (figuratively speaking). When the disciples were rejected, Jesus told them to shake the dust off their feet. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” [Mat 10:14] Don’t take it personally nor let rejection prevent you from spreading the gospel to others. Some will, some won’t, so what, keep trying. We keep trying because…

“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;” 2Cor 5:11

–Spencer

Objections pt5

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Objection PNG and Objection Transparent Clipart Free Download ...

 

OBJECTIONS #8; Appeal to the Old Testament for doctrine.

This objection sounds like this; “David used a harp and wrote about it in Psalms.”

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Col 2:14

I met a person once that was starting a new denomination based on all the feast days in the Old Testament Law of Moses. This is just one example of many where people look to the Old Testament to find doctrine or practices today. It becomes a buffet of picking and choosing based on personal taste, or in this case, a BBQ buffet.

How come nobody ever goes back and brings forward stoning of the disobedient? (there was one guy that wrote a book about trying to live under the Law of Moses. He carried small pebbles around and flicked them at folks.) Yet, they’ll go back and grab any number of things from the Old Testament.

The easy answer is in Galatians chapter 5:1-4; “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

As you can see, the Law of Moses has been fulfilled and if you intend to appeal to any part of it then you’re obligated to keep the entirety of it. This drops you from Christ.

Here are a few more points about why we don’t appeal to the Old Testament for authority, doctrine or practices today.

First, the Old was, well… OLD. Hebrews 8:13 speaks about the better New covenant in Christ rendering the first old.

Next, the OT was given because of TRANSGRESSIONS, “till the seed should come to whom the promise was made.” [Gal 3:19] Once the one promised came, fulfilling the Old Law, why would you go back and bring anything forward?

We should then note that the OT was LIMITED in that it was impossible for the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. [Heb 10:4]. Christ’s sacrifice did what the Law of Moses only foreshadowed [Heb 9:12]. The New Testament writers also calls it, ‘faulty’ [Heb 8:7], and ‘weak’ [Gal 4:9].

Continuing on, we find the Law of Moses was ABOLISHED at the death of Christ. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” [Col 2:14]. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:15; “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”

Finally, the Holy Spirit says that the Law of Moses WAS A SHADOW of good things to come [Heb 10:1]. If there was something good coming, and the real thing is in life of Jesus, why would you want to go back to the shadow?

There are several places in the New Testament that explain the shadows from the Old Testament and their application to Christ;

  • 1COR 10:11 EXAMPLES.
  • Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come;
  • Hagar, Ishmael, Sarah, Isaac; GAL 4:22-31.
  • Moses; Deut 18:15; Acts 3:22; Heb 3

We find our authority in Jesus. God said, “Hear ye Him.” [Mark 9:7]. The Hebrew writer opens the book with; “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” [Heb 1:1-2]

We find our authority from those who were given the revelation of the Lord’s will and wrote it for us in the New Testament writings. “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” [1Cor 14:37]

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.)” [Eph 3:1-4]

 

–Spencer

Objections pt4

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Objection! | Know Your Meme

 

OBJECTIONS to the GOSPEL pt4.

We need not view all challenges & objections to the truth as a bad thing. Some folks are just trying to work through the differences from what they’ve been falsely taught.

For the most part it is a necessary step in presenting the gospel. Challenges and objections are necessary to help a person to learn how to study and determine scriptural authority.

It can be viewed as a sign that a person is interested. It can also be a sign of someone who is rejecting the gospel.

As long as they’re asking questions, we can be prepared to answer them. [Col 4:6; 1Peter 3:15].

 

OBJECTIONS #7; I THINK.

This is a subtle objection that I find myself saying. The phrase “I Think” needs to be replaced with “God’s word says.” We live in a world that has embraced the idea of ‘my truth, your truth’ as if everyone has their own version of what is true. We need to have discussions about what does the Bible say?

Naaman is a great illustration for this very point. [2Kings 5:1-14] He had leprosy, learned of the cure and was told by ‘then man of God’ what he had to do to be cured. His first words? I THOUGHT… He thought the cure should look different, be more dramatic or at least be more comfortable. [v11] What we want things to be, doesn’t change the way things are. We need to obey the cure God commands.

For some they think the way to go is through TRADITIONS of their family or culture. Jesus pointed out that the religious leaders were laying aside the commands of God for their TRADITIONS. “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” [Mark 7:9]

Others thing that their HEART will lead them to the truth, that they can feel they’re saved. Experience tells us this is no way to go. Emotion neither proves nor disproves anything. It’s possible to believe a lie, [2Thess 2:11-12; cf. Gen 37:30-35]

God’s word says through the Apostle Paul, IF ANYONE preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. [Gal 1:6-10] We need to check out everyone, especially our own selves. Search the scriptures [Acts 17:11; 2Tim 2:15; 3:16-17].

This touches on the real problem. More and more people, even among believers, just do NOT KNOW the Scriptures. Jesus pointed this out to the Sadducees in Mat 22:26; “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” God said it this way, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee,” [Hosea 4:6]

The last part of this objection comes in the form of an appeal to what our KIN folk have done. Very similar to tradition, but this takes it further by adding an emotional spin to it. “I go to the church my grandparents used to go. I even sit in their pew.”

What if your parents, grandparents were wrong? Are you going to allow yourself to be lost because they got it wrong? Here’s a question to ask yourself, What do your grandparents want for you now that they have sight? [cf. Luke 16:27-28] No parent or grandparent wants their children to repeat their mistakes.

Jesus gave a very difficult saying, “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” [Mat 10:34-38]. This is not a physical sword, rather it’s a spiritual sword. [cf. Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12]

The solution to I THINK is to ask;

  • What does the BIBLE SAY?
  • What does GOD SAY? (I repeat myself)
  • What does JESUS SAY? (I repeat, repeat myself)

“This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

[Mark 9:7; cr. Heb 1:1-2]

 

–Spencer