Category Unity

Faith & Obedience: A Defense of Biblical Authority (CENI)

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God has the authority to establish an objective standard, and man’s responsibility is to respect that standard without adding to it or taking away from it.

Biblical authority establishes the boundaries of salvation, worship, morality, and righteousness. It does not give us permission to turn personal preferences, expedients, or liberties into tests of fellowship. In fact, compelling others to accept our liberties can become another form of human authority.

The Integrity of Obedience: A Defense of Biblical Authority (CENI)
For generations, the framework known as CENI (Command, Approved Example, Necessary Inference) has been criticized as a cold, legalistic system that reduces Christianity to a checklist of rules. Critics sometimes suggest that those who use CENI are concerned only with the outward mechanics of church organization and worship while neglecting the heart, love, grace, and the deeper matters of Christian living.
That is an unfair characterization of both the framework and the biblical principles behind it.
CENI is not a system for earning salvation. It is not a substitute for faith, love, or a sincere heart. It is a way of recognizing and respecting the authority God exercises through His revealed Word.
The real question is not whether God has the right to establish His expectations. The question is whether we have the right to change them.
Jesus said:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)
If God’s Word is truth, then our responsibility is to understand it accurately, respect its authority, and obey it faithfully. We must neither add to it nor take away from it.

1) Biblical Authority Applies to the Whole Christian Life
One criticism of CENI is that it supposedly regulates the external activities of the church while ignoring the heart and personal morality. But this creates a false distinction. The same principles used to understand God’s instructions concerning worship and church organization also apply to faith, love, morality, and righteousness.
God has not given us separate standards of authority for different areas of life.

The Heart
Jesus commanded:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
That is a command. God does not merely suggest that we love Him. He requires it.
But God also makes clear that outward obedience without inward devotion is insufficient.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)
The problem was not that these people lacked religious activity. Their problem was that their hearts were not right with God.
Paul describes the proper relationship between obedience and the heart:
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” (Romans 6:17)
Notice that they obeyed a form of doctrine, but they did so from the heart. Biblical obedience is neither empty ritual nor mere emotional sincerity. It is a heart that willingly submits to God’s revealed will.

Morality and Righteousness
God’s instructions concerning morality are no less authoritative than His instructions concerning worship.
Paul taught that our bodies belong to God and must be used accordingly:
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)
God establishes what is right and wrong. Our culture, feelings, and personal preferences do not have the authority to redefine His standards.
Romans 12:1-2 connects the presentation of our bodies as living sacrifices with the transformation of our minds. God expects both inward transformation and outward conduct.
The same authority that governs our worship governs our morality. We cannot claim that God has the right to regulate one while reserving the other for human judgment.

Faith and Obedience
Jesus asked:
“Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)
That question exposes the weakness of a faith that professes Christ’s authority while refusing to submit to His instructions.
Hebrews 5:9 describes Jesus as:
“the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”
James 2:17 teaches that faith without works is dead.
Biblical faith is more than intellectual agreement. It is trust that responds to God’s authority.
CENI does not create this expectation. Scripture does. CENI helps us recognize what God has communicated and what He expects us to obey.

2) Commands, Examples, and Necessary Inferences Are Biblical Ways of Understanding God’s Will
CENI is not a claim that the Bible contains a four-letter formula. The acronym is a human description of principles that are found throughout Scripture.
God communicates through commands, approved examples, and necessary implications.
Consider how Jesus reasoned in Matthew 22:31-32. He used God’s statement concerning Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to establish the truth of the resurrection.
Jesus did not limit His understanding to the exact words of the statement. He recognized what those words necessarily established.
That is necessary inference.
The same basic reasoning is unavoidable whenever we interpret communication. We recognize what is commanded, examine what is demonstrated, and understand what necessarily follows from what has been revealed.
However, there is an important distinction between a necessary conclusion and a possible conclusion.
A necessary inference is something that must be true if the statements of Scripture are true. It is not simply something that seems reasonable to us.
We must be careful not to elevate our own deductions to the authority of God’s Word.
Likewise, we must recognize that not every example is automatically a binding pattern. We must examine its context, purpose, and relationship to the instructions God has given.
The strength of CENI depends upon applying these principles accurately.
The disagreement among Christians is often not whether commands, examples, and inferences exist. It is how those principles establish the limits of divine authorization.
That is where careful Bible study is necessary.

3) God’s Authority Is Not Limited to the Areas We Prefer
The irony of many objections to CENI is that those who reject its application still rely upon the same basic principles of communication.
When someone argues that love, mercy, and grace are central to Christianity, where did that conclusion come from?
They examined what Jesus said, considered His actions, and drew conclusions from what Scripture teaches.
They used commands, examples, and inferences.
The real disagreement is often over how those principles should be applied.
Some are willing to insist upon precision when discussing morality but become uncomfortable when the same precision is applied to worship or church organization.
Others readily acknowledge that God has established requirements for salvation but resist the idea that He has also established requirements for corporate worship.
Why should we treat these areas differently?
If God has spoken, we must listen. If He has specified, we must respect what He specified. If He has left a matter to our judgment, we must not pretend that He has commanded something He has not.
We must be equally careful in both directions.
Jesus condemned those who made the commandments of God void through their traditions (Matthew 15:3-9). Colossians 2:20-23 also warns against human regulations being imposed as though they were divine requirements.
The problem is not precision. The problem is claiming authority that God has not given us.
We must not loosen God’s requirements, and we must not bind our own preferences upon others.

4) Grace Does Not Eliminate Human Responsibility
One of the most common objections to obedience is that it supposedly contradicts salvation by grace.
But Scripture never presents grace and obedience as enemies.
Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast.
But the very next verse says:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Grace does not eliminate obedience. It gives us the opportunity to be saved and teaches us how to live.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-12)
The distinction is between earning salvation and responding to God’s grace.
No one can purchase salvation. No one can make God indebted to him. But God has the authority to establish the conditions under which His gift is received.

Consider the response God requires in the gospel:
• Faith (John 8:24).
• Repentance (Acts 2:38).
• Confession (Romans 10:9-10).
• Baptism (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
• Faithfulness (Revelation 2:10).

These are not human inventions. They are biblical instructions.
Why would someone accept that God requires faith and repentance but dismiss His instructions concerning baptism?
Jesus said:
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)
Peter commanded:
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38)
Paul described the Romans as having obeyed from the heart a form of doctrine and then being made free from sin (Romans 6:17-18).
The question is not whether obedience earns salvation. It does not.
The question is whether we will respect what God says about receiving His salvation.
We must not dismiss a divine instruction simply because we have placed it in a category called works.

5) Intellectual Agreement Is Not the Same as Saving Faith
James makes a powerful observation:
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19)
The demons recognized certain truths about God. Their intellectual acknowledgment did not constitute saving faith.
This is an important distinction.
A person can correctly identify Jesus as the Son of God and still refuse to submit to His authority.
Jesus made this clear:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
The issue is not merely what we believe about Jesus. It is whether we submit to what He teaches.
This principle also applies to fellowship and our treatment of false teaching.
Second John warns against going beyond the doctrine of Christ:
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.” (2 John 9)
John then warns against receiving or supporting those who bring not this doctrine (2 John 10-11).
This is not a warning about personal preferences or differences over expedients. It is a warning about departing from the doctrine of Christ.
Second Peter 2 gives an equally serious warning. Peter describes false teachers who bring in destructive heresies, deny the Lord who bought them, and lead others into destructive error (2 Peter 2:1-3).
He does not treat false teaching as an innocent difference of opinion. He warns of its consequences.
These passages establish that truth matters. Doctrine matters. Remaining within the teaching of Christ matters.
We cannot claim that love requires us to overlook departures from the truth God has revealed.
But neither can we use these passages as permission to turn every disagreement into a fellowship issue. We must establish from Scripture that the matter actually involves a departure from God’s revealed will.
Our standard must be God’s standard, not our personal preferences.

6) God Has Established an Objective Standard for Salvation, Worship, and Righteousness
This is where the integrity of biblical authority becomes especially important.
God has not left Christianity to be defined by personal opinion, majority preference, or individual interpretation without boundaries.
He has revealed His will.

Salvation
God has revealed what He requires of those who come to Him through Christ. We cannot remove baptism, repentance, or faithful living from the gospel simply because someone considers those requirements inconvenient or unnecessary.

Corporate Worship
God has revealed how His people are to worship Him. We must respect the instructions and examples of the New Testament rather than replacing them with practices that seem more appealing to us.
John 4:24 teaches that worship must be in spirit and in truth. First Corinthians 11-14 and other passages provide instruction concerning the church’s assembled worship.
The question is not what we prefer. It is what God has authorized.

Morality and Righteousness
God has established standards for our conduct, relationships, speech, sexuality, honesty, and treatment of others.
We cannot redefine sin according to changing cultural standards.

The Church
Christ is the head of His church (Ephesians 1:22-23). He has authority over its identity, organization, work, and teaching.
The church does not belong to us. We are not free to redesign it according to our preferences.
These areas are not matters of personal liberty. They concern what God has revealed and what He expects His people to respect.
There is an objective standard because there is an objective authority.

7) Biblical Unity Must Not Be Destroyed by Human Preferences
Here is where an important distinction must be made.
Not everything involved in carrying out a command is itself a separate command.
God sometimes gives specific instructions. At other times, He gives general instructions that require us to make practical decisions about how to accomplish them.
We must distinguish between what God has required and the expedients we use to carry out what He has required.
An expedient is not a new doctrine. It is a practical means of accomplishing something God has authorized.
For example, when God commands us to assemble, decisions about the location, time, and other practical arrangements may involve judgment. Those decisions do not automatically become additional divine requirements.
The danger comes when someone takes a liberty or expedient and makes it a test of faithfulness or fellowship.
We must not compel the minority to accept a preference simply because the majority favors it.
Nor should we divide over matters God has left to individual judgment.
Romans 14 teaches us to exercise care in matters of individual liberty. We must not despise one another, judge one another unfairly, or use our freedom in a way that destroys another brother.
Romans 14:19 gives us an important principle:
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
This does not mean that truth can be sacrificed for peace. Romans 14 is not permission to disregard God’s commands or approve false doctrine.
It means that where God has allowed liberty, we must not turn that liberty into a law for everyone else.
There is a difference between standing firmly for what God has commanded and insisting that everyone must follow our personal judgment about how to accomplish it.
The first is faithfulness. The second can become human legislation.
We should be careful not to create the very division we claim to oppose.

8) The Goal Is Not to Win Arguments. It Is to Respect God’s Authority.
CENI should never become a badge of superiority or a weapon for condemning everyone who disagrees with us.
It is not about proving that we are smarter, more precise, or more faithful than someone else.
It is about recognizing that God has spoken and that we are accountable for what He has revealed.


There are two dangers we must avoid:
First, we must not take away from God’s Word by dismissing instructions that He has given.
Second, we must not add to God’s Word by binding human opinions, traditions, and preferences as though they were divine commandments.
Both errors disrespect God’s authority.

The faithful Christian seeks to understand what God has said, what He has demonstrated, and what necessarily follows from His revelation.
He does not seek loopholes to avoid obedience. Neither does he seek opportunities to impose his own preferences upon others.
He recognizes that salvation is by grace, that faith must be obedient, that worship must respect divine authority, and that morality and righteousness are established by God rather than man.
Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 4:6 is worth remembering:
“That ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written.”
That is the spirit we need.

The Integrity of Obedience
CENI is not the source of biblical authority. God is.
CENI is a way of recognizing the authority God has communicated through His Word. Its principles are not limited to church organization or worship. They apply to salvation, faith, love, morality, righteousness, and every other area in which God has revealed His will.
We cannot claim to love God while reserving the right to disregard His instructions.
We cannot claim to honor the authority of Christ while treating His teaching as optional.
And we cannot claim to defend biblical unity while compelling others to accept our personal preferences as though they were commands from God.

The goal is not rigid traditionalism. It is not unrestricted individualism. It is not a compromise between truth and preference.


The goal is faithful submission to God’s revealed will.

Jesus asked:
“Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)
That question deserves an answer from every one of us.
If He is Lord, then His Word must be our standard.
If His Word is truth, then truth must govern our salvation, our worship, our morality, and our fellowship.
And if we love Him, we should be willing to listen carefully, obey sincerely, and give one another the liberty that He has given us.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Speaking the truth in Love

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Demonstrating Love Through Our Speech

The way we speak reveals the condition of our hearts and serves as a powerful expression of love. Scripture, particularly Ephesians, provides a blueprint for how our words can reflect Christ’s love, fostering unity, encouragement, and grace. By aligning our speech with biblical principles, we demonstrate love that honors God and uplifts others.

Seasoned with Salt; Colossians 4:6 urges believers to let their speech be “always full of grace, seasoned with salt,” so that they know how to answer everyone (“seasoned with salt” suggesting speech that is gracious, wise, and impactful, enhancing conversations like salt enhances food). Similarly, James 3:17 describes wisdom from above as pure, peace-loving, and gentle. Words seasoned with salt are purposeful, preserving truth and adding value to conversations. They avoid blandness or harshness, striking a balance that reflects thoughtfulness and care. When our speech is seasoned with grace, it becomes a tool to point others to Christ, making our interactions meaningful and impactful.

Pleasant, Not Profane; Ephesians 5:4 warns against “filthiness, foolish talk, or crude joking,” which are out of place for those who follow Christ. Instead, our words should be pleasant, reflecting gratitude and reverence. Filthy or foolish speech tears down, while pleasant words build up and create an atmosphere of love. Avoiding foul language doesn’t mean stifling humor or joy but choosing words that align with God’s holiness. Pleasant speech invites others into a space of dignity and respect, mirroring the love Christ shows us.

Edifying, Empathetic, & Encouraging; Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Edifying means Building up or strengthening others spiritually). Romans 14:19 tells us to pursue peace and mutual edification, while Colossians 3:16 encourages teaching and admonishing one another with wisdom. Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes spurring one another toward love and good works. Empathetic and encouraging speech listens deeply, validates feelings, and inspires growth. It puts others’ needs above our own, fostering community and reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love.

Speaking Truth in Love; Ephesians 4:15 and 4:25 highlight the importance of speaking truth in love, rooted in agape type (love selfless, unconditional love). Truth without love can wound, while love without truth can enable. Speaking truth in love requires humility and courage, ensuring our words are honest yet delivered with kindness. This balance builds trust and strengthens relationships, as we lovingly correct or guide others toward God’s truth. Loving speech prioritizes the other person’s spiritual growth, even when it’s uncomfortable, because it seeks their ultimate good.

Kindness in Speech; Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another as God forgave us. James 1:26 warns that those who fail to bridle their tongues deceive themselves, and Colossians 3:12-13 emphasizes clothing ourselves with kindness and patience. Kind words diffuse conflict, heal wounds, and demonstrate grace. They reflect a heart transformed by Christ, choosing gentleness over harshness and forgiveness over bitterness. Kindness in speech is a daily practice of love, creating a ripple effect of grace in our interactions.

agape

Who are we? We are just CHRISTIANS.

The Preacher 3 Comments

WE ARE JUST CHRISTIANS

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.” (Acts 26:28,29).

We’re often asked to show our ID’s. From getting on a plane, to buying things on credit, or to the police officer that pulled me over looking for my autograph.

We use identification to gain access to banking accounts, safety deposit boxes, and the like.

When we speak about locating the Lord’s church, we look for its identifying marks. What does it teach about salvation, assembling together for worship, morality, and eschatology.

The Christian has an identity also. It’s interesting to note that our identity is in relationship to our God and to fellow Christians.

Let us explore our multifaceted identity as outlined in God’s Word.

When viewed in relation to God we are His children. “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2Cor 6:18)

When viewed in relation of hope we are heirs. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Rom. 8:17)

When viewed in relation to each other we are brethren. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1)

When viewed in relation to character we are saints. “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 1:7)

If viewed as fighters we are soldiers. “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2Tim. 2:3)

When viewed in relation to our abode upon earth we are pilgrims. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” (1Pet. 2:11.)

When viewed as the Image of Christ we are persecuted. “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1Pet 4:13; cf. Matt 10:24,25; 2Tim 3:12).

When viewed as learners of Christ we are disciples (adherents). “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19 ASV).

When viewed in relation to Christ we have a name; we are called Christians. “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26b).

When viewed as workers for the Lord we are servants of Christ. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13).

Agape,

Spencer

We are striving to be undenominational and non-sectarian. We plead for a restoration of New Testament Christianity. It is our sincere conviction that one cannot be right in the sight of God by ignoring and disregarding the teaching of God’s word. Let us strive to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17).

Why did you Doubt? pt4

The Preacher 1 Comment

The previous articles looked at doubt from Disbelief, Obstacles, Untruths, and now we look at doubt that comes from strife & divisive behavior.

Casting doubt is the next on our list of reasons why we doubt. There are some outside of the church that cast doubt, but there are also some inside the church.

The church is wonderful. Jesus said this about the church, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18b). He built it, and it’s indestructible, but that doesn’t mean some won’t try.

For the most part, folks aren’t necessarily trying to wreck the church, but we can be casting doubt upon it through certain attitudes and actions. This leads to some leaving the church.

People do not like conflict. When we fail to resolve issues in kind, loving and truthful ways it leads to disappointment and division. Some leave to another congregation. Others leave the church for a denomination.

To ward off doubt, we need to identify our negative behaviors without casting more doubt!

5 things we do to cast doubt upon others in the church.

The first negative behavior that casts doubt on others is BACKBITING. “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends” (Prov 16:28). In Romans, backbiting is in the list of the unrighteous (Rom 1:30. It’s among the list of thing Paul hoped to find missing when he visited the church at Corinth (2Cor 12:20). Backbiting is defaming speech to attack the good name or reputation of a person by uttering anything false or injurious. This can cast doubt on the faith of some by tearing down those who teach, aid, or example for others. This kind of doubt leads to trust issues and divisions.

The next way we could cause doubt is through RIVALRIES. The church at Corinth had this problem. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men” (1Cor 3:3)? The first chapter shows the root of this rivalry was about who baptized who. In chapter six there was rivalry caused by doing wrong to one another and they were taking their grievances before unbelievers (6:1-6). This causes doubt about the church inside and outside the church. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). This sort of doubt causing gives occasion for the enemies of God to blaspheme.

EVIL Speaking is another area when we might cast doubt. I recall a friend telling me about when he was a kid riding home with his parents from worship. They began to speak about something a brother in Christ had done when his father stopped the conversation. His father told him that he didn’t want to talk poorly about a brother in front of the kids. Perhaps the brother would repent, but if they had poisoned the mind of the children about this brother, they may harbor ill feelings toward him into adulthood. “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1Pet 2:1-2). “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Prov 6:12-14; 19). This kind of doubt leads to division between brethren and ultimately a weaker congregation.

The next attitude is ANGER toward others in the church. “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Col 3:8, 21; Eph 4:31, 26). Animosity is in opposition to loving kindness. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. (Col 3:12). When people come together there may times when we disappoint each other, but we must not allow this to develop into anger and cause division and doubt about our brethren or doubt about the church. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1John 4:7-8).

Lastly, there is doubt cast on another when someone lays claim to special KNOWLEDGE that others lack. Paul warned Timothy about these people. “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes” (2Tim 2:23). “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings” (1Tim 6:4). When people engage in doubtful disputations (Rom 14:2) it may cause a weaker brother to stumble. Paul also wrote about KNOWLEDGE that a strong brother has that a weaker brother does not have. In these cases, the stronger brother is to forebear so as not to cause stumbling in the weaker.

“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died” (1Cor 8:9-11)?

Casting doubt about brethren casts doubt about the church for the church is the brethren. There will be disagreements, disappointments, and differences in understanding. However, these can be overcome through Love for God, Love for His word and Love for one another.

Agape,

Spencer

This is part 4 of a series on Overcoming Doubt.

What a Saint KNOWS in 1John

The Preacher 1 Comment

The Letter of 1John is an outline of the things the Saint KNOWS about salvation, love, sin, the Holy Spirit and Obedience.

When we read it, we can use it as a personal Test or examination of ourselves.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Here are ALL the verses in 1John about knowing.

KNOW. 31 verses.

1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

 1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

 1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

 1Jo 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

 1Jo 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

 1Jo 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

 1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

 1Jo 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

 1Jo 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

 1Jo 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

 1Jo 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 1Jo 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

 1Jo 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

 1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

 1Jo 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 1Jo 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

 1Jo 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

 1Jo 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

 1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

 1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

 1Jo 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

 1Jo 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

 1Jo 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

 1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

 1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 1Jo 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 1Jo 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

 1Jo 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

 1Jo 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 9:30am each Sunday Morning for Bible Study on 1John.

The Holy Spirit and the Written Word of God are said to do the same thing.

When a Person uses a tool, we know it was the Person that does the work through the use of the tool.

How to know what God wants pt3. Walking by Faith

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“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  (John 4:24)

So far, we’ve learned how to know what God wants,

  1. Direct commands & statements.
  2. Approved Examples.
  3. Implications & Necessary Inferences.
  4. Silence, when God gives no command.

Today, let’s talk about walking by FAITH and not by sight. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7).

I’ve written about FAITH before in the article “Lord, Increase our Faith” Sept 04, 2022. To summarize…

Faith is the FULL BODY of God’s revelation. Jude 1:3 “The faith once delivered.”

Faith is ACTION based on the information. James 2:14-24 “justified by works and not by faith only.”

Faith is INSISTENT on standing firm. Hebrews 11:24-25

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; [25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”

Faith is Believing and TRUSTING in the results from keeping God’s word. Colossians 2:12. “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.”

Faith is HOPE that the Lord will reward those that keep His word.

Hebrews 11:1, 6 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Faith is listed among the 9 spiritual gifts early saints could receive during the writing of the New Testament (1Cor 12:8-9; 13:2; Matt 17:20).

These several senses above all combine to mean FAITH. Where there is no word of God there can be no faith in God. This is an unquestioned teaching of God’s word. (See also John 20:30-31; Rom 10:17: Eph 3:1-4) If therefore, God says nothing concerning a given course, there can be no faith. Since we are to walk by faith, it follows that in any matter whatsoever in which we are not directed by the word of God, we are neither walking by faith nor pleasing God.

To walk by FAITH is to act upon God’s revealed word, the faith, and not by opinion. If people are seekers of God, they will seek His will before acting, rather than acting and hoping God will sanctify the actions.

One man said it this way about a particular religious action he had taken. “I don’t know if it’s right or wrong. I just do my best and ask God for mercy.” If you don’t know if it’s right, then DON’T DO IT. There’s a principle that speaks directly to this; “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom 14:23).

Let’s state it another way. God accepts no gratuitous service in matters to be rendered exclusively to Him. Man possesses an undeniable right to exercise his own judgment in the management of his personal affairs, as long as he does not violate any principles of moral correctness or righteousness. Man is guided in his personal life by God’s moral law and is given liberty to make individual choices under generic authority live, prosper and enjoy (1Thess 4:1-12; 1Tim 6:17; 3John 2).

However, In the service to be rendered exclusively to God, He has legislated. He has ordained the worship to be rendered to Him, and human wisdom must neither add to, take from, nor in any way modify what he has prescribed, otherwise those who do so are walking by their own judgment, and not by faith. Let’s review a few examples…

Water Baptism has been commanded by Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-36; 22:16; 1Pet 3:21). Who are we to alter it or even hint that one can be saved without it? Note the urgency of Baptism in the book of Acts. “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:33).

Adoration in vocal song (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). Who are we to do what God has commanded not by introducing instrumental music? “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

The Lord’s Supper is given to be observed by the assembled local church (Matt 26:26-30; Luke 22:15-20; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1Cor 11:17-34). Who are we to move it to a digital venue, or a cruise ship vacation, or to any other place of convenience where there is no local church assembled? The idea that any group of Christians is a church is false. (see Matt 18:16, a distinction is made between a 2-3 individuals and the church)

We are commanded to Keep the faith “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2Tim 4:7), and to Keep God’s commands (1John 5:3). Who are we to tell anyone that they may be saved without obedience to the faith, or that they can never fall from grace? “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Heb 12:15).

“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name” (Rom 1:5).

We must walk by FAITH, not by the sight of our own opinions.

Agape,

Spencer

How to know what God wants pt1

The Preacher 1 Comment

How to know what God wants. Pt1

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  (John 4:24)

God has not at any time authorized gratuitous service be rendered to Him. This means that God requires worship toward Him to be in accordance with His instructions.

From the very beginning we see this principle. In Genesis four, Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice by faith, and Cain did not. “By Faith” is first speaking about divine instruction, followed by our trust in His acceptance when we follow those instructions. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17).

One cannot be walking by faith in Christ while offering strange worship God commanded us not. How do we know what God wants? We can answer that question if we will learn how God communicates. He gives DIRECT commands & statements, He gives EXAMPLES, and He IMPLIES things from which we may infer. He also expects us to respect when He is SILENT on a matter.

I) God communicates through Direct commands & statements.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus gives a direct command to his disciples in the Great Commission. He says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). These are clear instructions from God on how his followers are to spread the message of salvation.

The Direct commands of God come in 2 forms:

1) SPECIFIC. God tells us exactly what He wants. We cannot add to, nor take away from the specific command. A specific command eliminates all other possibilities.

2) GENERIC. God gives a command but doesn’t tell us how. He leaves those details for us to implement.

The how of a generic command is called an expedient. We need to find the most efficient & effective means to fulfill the command. We cannot bind an expedient on others as being the only way. We have liberty.

II) God communicates using Approved Examples. There are many examples in the bible, but not every one of them is binding, nor authorized. Some examples are incidental like meeting in an upper room (Acts 1:13).

What makes an example an APPROVED EXAMPLE? When the example is in compliance with a Direct command of God. Jesus said “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 16:15-16). In the Acts one we see exactly that. They preached the Gospel to everyone on Pentecost and baptized for remission of sins.

Another example is found in Acts 8. “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.” (Acts 8:35-38). Here we see Philip Going, Preaching, and Baptizing as was commanded by Jesus in the great commission. Philip is one of many APPROVED EXAMPLES.

Without a command an example is just an example. It is not to be bound on others. Examples are only APPROVED (or Apostolic) when there is a command from God. How can we sift the binding from non-binding examples? Here are 4 questions to ask.

  1. Is there Uniformity in all examples of same event? Baptism was all by immersion, but circumstances around event were different.
  2. Is there Unity in Harmony? The Example must harmonize with God’s commands. Without a command there is not an approved example.
  3. Is there Universal application? It must apply and be able for all. Grapes (fruit of the vine) grow everywhere. Water is everywhere man is. Truth is Universal to all mankind.
  4. Is the example Unnecessary or relevant to the command? The disciples met in an upper room.

People are constantly attempting to worship God according to their own desires (Col 2:23). They have introduced Mechanical Music, plays, interpretive dance, and in one place Roller Skating Praise.

Here are 4 types of False worship.

  1. Vain. Mark 7; Matt 15:9.
  2. Against His will. 1Cor 11:17-34; 1Sam 15:22-23
  3. Ignorant. Acts 17:23
  4. Narcissistic Self-Willed worship. Col 2:20-23

These should serve as warnings about doing what God FORBIDS, OMISSION of what God commands, or adding EXTRA to the commands of God that He has not commanded.

“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; 12:32; Pr 30:6; Ec 12:13; Re 22:18-19).

Agape,

Spencer

You can read pt 2 of How to know What God wants here.

Hearing the VOICE of Jesus pt1

The Preacher 1 Comment

Hearing the VOICE of Jesus?

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)

The Hebrew writer wrote, “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 now live under the New Testament of Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant was nailed to the cross and is obsolete (Col 2:14; Heb 8:13).

Any who desire to go back to do one part of the Old Law of Moses is obligated to do the whole; “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” (Gal 5:3-4).

But that is not good, for that Law was a shadow of the good things we have in Christ now (Heb 10:1; Col 2:17).

God Himself said, “This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Mark 9:7). Seeing that all this is true, believers are to hear Jesus. What does it mean to hear the VOICE of Jesus? Some claim He will speak directly, personally, and miraculously to us. What is the truth?

Hearing the VOICE of Jesus.

Contrary to mainstream belief, the sheep that follow Jesus do so of their own volition. God is seeking those that seek Him. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33). God’s desire that all to come to repentance and be saved (2Pet 3:9) is evidence that we have free choice. We voluntarily seek Him, listen to His voice, and it’s His voice (words) that will judge us in the last day. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

Therefore, all are invited to follow the Good Shepherd of our own free will.

Those that choose to follow Jesus also Obey His VOICE. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15; 15:14). “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:21-23).

It makes zero sense to call oneself a “follower” of Christ, and not actually follow Him in obedience to His word. People keep using that word “follower” without doing anything He says. I constantly hear folks living in sin claiming also to be a follower of Jesus. Paul warned; “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1Cor 6:9-11). If these cannot inherit the kingdom of God, how can we say at the same time that we are followers of Christ while continuing in them?

Therefore, all true followers of Jesus are obedient to His voice.

This next point is vital to understand. Some also claim that Jesus will speak to us personally, miraculously, and separately from the Inspired word. Jesus never made this claim.

In His prayer in the garden, while praying for His Apostles, He then prayed for folks that would believe in Him after His death. He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me THROUGH THEIR WORD; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21). We who come to Jesus after His death will believe based on the words of the Apostles. The Apostles were given the promise of divine Holy Spirit Inspiration (John 16:13; cf, 14:26; 15:26), not us.

We hear the voice of the Chief Shepherd in as much as we read His inspired word delivered through the Inspired writers. Paul wrote through inspiration; “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). He also wrote; “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 3:3-4; cf 2Tim 3:15-17).

The Apostle John wrote, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30-31). He also wrote, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1John 5:13; emph mine seb).

Therefore, all true followers of Jesus hear His VOICE through the reading, studying, and memorizing His written inspired word.

Next week we’ll look at a few more points regarding the VOICE of Jesus. To recap; we Voluntarily hear His voice. We who hear it will Obey His voice. Those that hear, and obey are Informed of His will through the reading, study, and memorizing of His Inspired word.

–Spencer

Reasons I Read the BIBLE pt3

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Reasons I read the BIBLE. #3

To BE ONE with God.

John 17:20-21 KJV

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may BE ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may BE ONE in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

Jesus prayed for us that we would believe through the word of the Apostles which has been written for our understanding (Eph 3:3–4). He then stated the reason, that we all may BE ONE in God and in Christ as they are one.

If we’re not reading then we’re unable to find that unity in Christ.

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

(Eph 4:4-6)

When we READ and STUDY we can all be on the same sheet.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

(1Cor 1:10)

That’s why I read the Bible. To BE ONE with God, Jesus, and the church.

Let’s read the bible through in 2023

Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.

If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.

Can you Spot the DIFFERENCES?

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Evangelism is a “can you find the differences” game

The difference between…

Your church vs the Lord’s church.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

2Cor 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

What you believe vs what the Bible teaches.

Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

What you did to be “saved” vs what the Bible says to be saved.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

How you worship vs what the Bible teaches about worship.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

CAN YOU SPOT THE DIFFERENCES?

The difference between what your pastor SAYS vs what the SCRIPTURE SAYS?

2Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 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?

(when your pastor “preaches Jesus” would the listeners respond in the same way as the Eunuch?)

The difference between what you PRACTICE vs what the Bible says to PRACTICE?

1Cor 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

The difference between not OBEYING the gospel vs OBEYING the Gospel?

2Thess 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

The difference between false TEACHING of me vs the TEACHING (doctrine) of Christ?

2John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

For more study on this topic, click the link to the “we are different” page.

If you live in the Borger area, Would you like help to SPOT the differences and learn about true faith? Contact us and let us know.

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper St church of Christ in Borger Texas.