Most "Church-going" folks would agree that to be a "Christian" means to be a "f-o-l-l-o-w-e-r" of Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples that IF they "f-o-l-l-o-w-e-d" Him, that He would make them "fishers of men (Matt. 4: 19) NASB.
"And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matt. 4: 19 NASB)."
At the time, the Lord was speaking to Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew. They were literally fishing, using a net. The Lord was telling them that just as they were casting a net to bring fish into their boat, they would bring souls into the Kingdom of God IF they followed Him.
The same calling to become "fishers of men (Matt. 4: 19 NASB)" was later extended to the Church (and to all who would become a member of it) when the risen Lord issued His "marching orders," aka The Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 29), to the Church that was, at that time, about to be established. Ever born again believer of the Church Age is a member of the Church that God established.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching (discipleship) them to observe all (Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine)that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the (Church) age (Matt. 28: 19, 20 NASB italics mine."
If one is truly a "follower" of Christ, he/she will be a fisher of men. While discipleship also involves the sharing accurate Bible Doctrine for the edification of fellow believers, the concept of being a fisher of men is primarily focused on the preservation and the proclamation of the Gospel Message to those who need to be born again (John 3: 5, 7).
Q.: Who "needs" to be born again?
A.: Anyone who desires to enter the kingdom of God (John 3: 5, 7).
Many "religious" denominations, local assemblies, ministries, and individuals WITHIN the Christian Community at large have neglected the marching orders (Matt. 28: 19, 20) that the Church was given, adopting or prioritizing alternative agendas based on human good and the religious "traditions of men."
Such things as humanitarian and environmental projects should be on the "to do list." But there is an issue that needs to be addressed when in the process of engaging in such activity, the Church neglects to incorporate its primary mission (Matt. 28: 19, 20). There are many who claim to be "followers" of Christ who can count on one hand the number of people they have personally shared the Gospel Message with since their own conversion. This is NOT a Matt.4: 19 "fisher of men."
Q. Converted from what?
A. Converted from the spiritually dead status in which we all come into this world. This spiritually dead (separated from God) status is the result of the sin nature that was passed down to our humanity at conception (Psalms 51: 5), and becomes a part of our total being when God (John 3: 6b) creates our soul and places us (our soul) in the body of His choosing when the body, that our biological parents (John 3: 6a) reproduced, comes forth at birth. Our biological parents may or may not have had "a" baby in mind the moment what would become our humanity was conceived. But when that body came forth at birth, God created our soul (John 3: 6b), God chose the specific body that we would indwell during our appointed time here on Earth.
"Behold I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me (Psalms 51: 5 NASB)."
There is nothing sinful about sexual intercourse under the umbrella of marriage. This verse is speaking about the passing down of the sin nature that has taken place since the Fall of Man.
"That (the body) which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that (the soul/spirit) which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3: 6 NASB itlalics mine)"
When an individual is born again (John 3:5, 7), he (the soul) receives eternal life (John 3: 16). One's spirit that had come into this world spiritually dead (separated from God) becomes spiritually alive, having been regenerated (Titus 3: 5), forever sealed (identified/baptized) Eph. 4: 30 as a child of God, all of which is the Work of God the Holy Spirit that does NOT involve a human clergyman or mediator.
The ONE and ONLY part that the Church (or any individual member of it) plays in the above process of salvation is to be the one who preserves and presents the u-n-a-d-u-l-t-e-r-a-t-e-d Gospel Message. By "u-n-a-d-u-l-t-e-r-a-t-e-d," I am referring to the Gospel Message of Scripture that has not been polluted by all the "add-ons" that have evolved within the Christian Community that are no more than religious precepts (Matt. 15: 9 NASB) and traditions of men)."
"But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as (Bible) doctrines the precepts of men (Matt. 15: 9 NASB italics mine)."
"You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God (Luke 16: 15 NASB),"
Maintaining the "purity" of the Gospel Message is what I mean when I say the Church is to "preserve" it. The preservation of the true Gospel Message has been a challenging source of conflict within the Christian Community from the very beginning (Gal.3).
False (polluted) Gospels have been circulating within the Christian Community from the very beginning. They are present now. Paul speaks of those who adopt these Gospels as having been "bewitched (Gal. 3: 1 NASB)." 1Tim. 4: 1 speaks of the great apostasy (false teachings and accompanying practices) that will be WITHIN the Christian Community during the end times when those who claim to be followers of Christ will listen to doctrines taught by demons.
It is hard for many "Christians" to think of "Church" as being a place where such spiritual combat takes place. Ignorance and/or denial of the presence and activity of the Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil WITHIN the "Christian Community" is what opens the door to great victories by the forces of evil. When such issues are raised, religious groups tend to think that God must be talking about the Church down the street, and not their own.
For me this brings (Matt. 7: 3-5) to mind.
"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye (Matt. 7: 3-5 NASB)?"
Since religious leadership consider themselves infallible when it comes to the interpretation and application of Scripture, they have no other alternative but to label those who desire to purge the Church of its never-ending tending to entertain apostasy as heretics. Religious authority sees the Bible as being a product of the Church, therefore subject to their editing and/or addition (Proverbs 30: 6/Deut. 4: 2/Deut. 32/Rev. 22:18 ).
Edified disciples see the 66 (39 Old Testament/ 27 New Testament) books of the Bible as the final source of tangible authority to which the Church is subordinate. Other books have been included in some Bibles that have been constructed under the authority of religion. The mere fact that these books were composed during the 400 years of silence (when God did NOT speak to Man) disqualifies them as being "Scripture."
Evil is any teaching or practices that contradicts God or the things (Bible) of God. Many Christians pray to be "delivered from evil"when reciting by rote what has become known as the Lord's Prayer, but are blind to the evil that they unwittingly engage in under the umbrella of their chosen "religion." A bullet fired in ignorance can be just as lethal as one that is fired with malicious intent.
When religious and political forces have joined forces, the Christian Community has gone through the darkest periods of its history resulting in great internal conflicts between the Bible oriented Church that God designed and the many alternative Churches that are the products of the traditions of men.
An "add on" is ANY further requirement to be saved that goes beyond having faith (trust and confidence) in the Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ that IS outlined in the unadulterated Gospel Message of Scripture. Such "add ons" are among the things that are held in high esteem by Man, but are "detestable" in sight of God (Luke 16: 15). They are "detestable" because their presence and promotion imply that faith in the "finished-John 19: 30 NASB" work that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross is not enough to obtain and retain salvation.
Religion promotes eternal life as something to be received when one dies and goes to Heaven, whereas Scripture (eg. John 3: 18/Romans 8:1) teach that one a-l-r-e-a-d-y has received eternal life the moment he/she was born again, here on Earth. There is NOTHING that one needs to do, can do , or have done that can increase the integrity of the eternal life and salvation that a born again believer has already received.
"You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God (Luke 16: 15 NABS)."
The truth is that if all the icons, apparatus, furnishings, and practices that are the product of the traditions of men were to be removed from WITHIN the Christian Community at large, what would remain would be barely recognizable to many who "go to Church" on a regular basis.
Much, much more (Hebrews 10: 25/1Cor. 11, 24, 25/2Peter. 3: 18/James 1: 22/etc.) IS required if a born again believer is going identify and execute the post (after) salvation spiritual life. But the post salvation spiritual life is NOT for purpose of either "finishing" the salvation process, nor is it for the purpose of retaining the eternal life that a born again believer has already received. The purpose for the post salvation spiritual life is for a born again believer to bring the maximum glory to God here on Earth while living here in the devil's (Luke 4: 6) world!
The world is presently in the dispensation (period of time) of the Church Age. The Church Age began in Jerusalem, Israel a few weeks after the Lord Jesus Christ gave His marching orders to the Church that was about to be established.
People generally take a lot of stock in what Someone has to say just before they know they are about to depart this world. After issuing these orders in what has become known as the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 19, 20) and reiterating them in Acts 1:8, the Lord ascended into the heavens (Acts 1 9). He promised to be with the Church throughout the Church Age as they continue with the Work that He gave the Church to do. He promised to His return when the Church Age is over. It is when the Matt. 28: 19, 20 work that the Church was given to do is finished, that the end of the Church Age comes (Matt. 24: 14).
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matt. 24: 14 NASB)."
This Matt. 24: 14 "end" is NOT the end of the world. There are seven more years (some teach 3 1/2 years) of the Great Tribulation to take place AFTER the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 16, 17) takes place, leaving behind every soul on the Earth that has not as of that time been born again, regardless of his/her "religious" affiliation or lack of it. The Great Tribulation, and all the horrific (Matt. 24: 22/Mark 13: 20) activity associated with it, comes to an abrupt end when the Second Advent (the return of Christ with His Church) takes place.
After returning with His (Raptured) Church, and defeating the military coalition attacking Israel at the time, the Lord Jesus Christ establishes His 1,000 year Kingdom here on this present Earth (Rev. 20: 6).
During that 1,000 year period, the Earth is transformed into to blessed environment. During that 1,000 yr. period, the devil is confined to the abyss (Hades). At the end of this 1,000 period, the devil is released and allowed to organize an international coalition that attempts to make one last assault on Jerusalem, the HQ of the Lord's earthly kingdom, but is destroyed by divine intervention. It is then that the devil and his forces of evil are permanently confined in the lake of fire. It is only after all of these events have taken place, that the present earth "melts away in intense heat," and the new heaven and the new earth of Rev. 22 is established.
The Rapture will take place without warning and will be all over within the "twinkling of a eye (1Cor. 15: 42 NASB)." There will be no time for repentance or for unbelievers to be born again. There are many prophecies yet to be fulfilled before the end of the world takes place, but there are NO more prophecies that need to be fulfilled BEFORE the Rapture takes place other than the completion of the Great Commission. Note that the Gospel Message is to be preached to the whole world as a witness, but nowhere does it say that the majority of the world will choose to respond to it. Matt. 7:13 indicates just the opposite!
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7: 13, 14 NASB)."
Neither Biblical description of the Church (1Tim. 4: 1) just before the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 16, 17) takes place, nor the Biblical description of the world (Matt. 24: 22/Mark 13: 20) before the Second Advent takes place speaks of a world in which good has overcome evil. Cleaning up the devil's world is not what the Great Commission is all about.
But until the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 16, 17) takes place, the Church that God established has its work to do, primarily focused on the fulfilling the Great Commission. As noted earlier, humanitarian and environment work should be on the "to do" list, but it is NOT to be given priority over the primary mission that it was given to accomplish.
Being a fisher of men (proclaiming the Gospel Message) was one of the standing orders that He gave to His Church.
Everyone who has been born again is a member of the Church that God designed. The orders of the Great Commission were given to each and every born again believer. Our individual compliance with these orders (not suggestions) will be apart of the account that every born again believer will give to God (Romans 14: 12). The devil, and religion, would have us believe that it will be "sin" that we are going to have to account for, when in truth, there is "no condemnation for sin for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1)." It is the quality of one's post salvation spiritual life that born again believers are going to give an account.
This highlights the importance of post salvation discipleship. One can not fulfill his/her part in the Great Commission and be ignorant of what the Bible has to say concerning salvation and the post salvation spiritual life. Making matters worse, if one is not clear on what the Bible actually says, he/she can unwittingly become a spokesman for the Kingdom of Darkness, "...teaching as doctrines the precepts of men (Matt. 15: 9 NASB)." One can teach others by what he/she does, as well as what he/she says.
Discipleship is the ongoing study and application of the Word of God. Like a runner in a torch-relay race, one can not pass the torch (Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine) along to others in our individual periphery until we have first taken possession and understand it for ourselves.
How well any given pulpit prepares born again believers for this is a good indicator of rather or not his/her chosen local assembly is the type of local assembly that God designed (Eph. 4: 11-17 NASB)."
And He gave some as apostles (1st Century) and some as prophets (spokespersons for God), and some as evangelists (proclaiming the Gospel Message to unbelievers), and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints (saints = born again believers) for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (universal Church) until we all attain to the unity of the (unadulterated) faith, and of the (accurate) knowledge of the Son of God, to a (spiritually) mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be (like) children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of (false) doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love (sincere convern for the spiritual well-being of others), we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in (a spirit of) love (Eph. 4: 11-17 NASB italics mine)."
Note that there are no officiating priests listed in the above passage.
One's chosen response to such preparation (if it exists) is a good indication of rather or not he/she has identified and is pursuing the type of post salvation spiritual life that God designed.
Discipleship is initially for the edification of the born again believer, but with the long term objective of participating in the Great Commission wherever one finds him/herself on a DAILY BASIS.
If one is "not all that interested" in learning of and/or executing the post salvation spiritual life, it is a good indication that a 2Cor. 13:5 self-examination is in order.
"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test (2Cor. 13: 5 NASB?"
These words of Paul were written to the born again believers in ancient Corinth, so we can conclude that salvation (going to Heaven) was not the issue being addressed. Being in the faith, in this case, refers to identifying and actively executing the post salvation spiritual life.
We wouldn't think much of a person who would remain silent and allow another to sit down on a chair that he/she knew to be defective that could result in bodily injury.
But what do think God thinks of those who claim to be Christians, who have the KNOWLEDGE (Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine) that others need to hear to avoid earthly (Heb. 12: 6) and/or eternal (Rev. 20: 15) disaster, but do not share that knowledge when God gives them the opportunity to do so?
Every spiritually dead soul needs to hear the Gospel Message. Every born again believer needs to hear edifying principles of Bible Doctrine. There are such spiritually dead souls and born again believers in virtually every familial, social, labor, and public environments with whom born again believers cross paths with each an every day.
By divine design, most born again believers will NEVER be called to be a missionary in some foreign land or to be a pastor in a local church, but every born again believer is called to the life of personal discipleship, to take part in the Great Commission, and to become an ambassador for Christ 24-7, wherever he/she finds him/herself on a daily basis!
Many religious denominations, local assemblies, ministries and individuals have adopted or prioritized alternative agendas. I is much easier and popular to engage in humanitarian activities and environmental projects that it is to engage in the primary work that our Lord gave to His Church. The primary work that the Lord gave to His Church was/is to preserve and to preach the Gospel Message to unbelievers, and to make disciples (students and appliers of the Word of God) out of those who are born again.
The devil does not mind, and even might appreciate, those who contribute to making his world (Luke 4: 6) a better place to live, p-r-o-v-i-d-i-n-g that the Great Commission is not a part of the activity. Long before the human race was ever created, the devil had a position of honor () in the Court of Heaven, but there came a time in eternity past that he desired to establish his own kingdom that was to be productive, but independent of God. He continues to have that desire, but there is long history of what takes place when God or the things of God are set aside by members of either the angelic or human race.
Atheists and non-Christian organizations and individuals feed, clothe, shelter, provide medical services, strive for social injustice, and engage in protecting/preserving the natural environment as do their Christian counterparts. What makes (or should make) the difference is that when Christians are involved in the same humanitarian, social, or environment projects, they make promoting the Great Commission their primary objective.
Take the Great Commission out of the activity and there is no difference in what is accomplished by either group. Atheists and non-Christian groups can feed, clothe, and shelter the needy just as well as their Christian counterparts. Take the Great Commission out of the activity and it will not be God that receives the glory. Take the Great Commission out of the activity and its a win-win scenario for the devil, as the devil's world IS made a little better and God is denied the glory that He might have otherwise received.
Granted, such things as humanitarian and environmental projects should be on the "to do" list of Christian organizations and on the "to do" list of those who claim to be Christians (James 2: 16). But just as such things had the support and approval of the Lord Jesus Christ, it was NOT His top priority, and was NOT to be the top priority of the Church that He commissioned (Matt. 28: 19, 20).
There IS a Biblical balance that simultaneously satisfies both the physical and the spiritual needs of those that the Church is called to minister (serve). Perhaps the example of the Apostle Paul sets the best example of the balance of which I am speaking. Paul organized and participated in a "fund raiser" throughout the Christian Community of his day in support of the logistical needs of the believers in the local assembly in Jerusalem (), but did not allow this to distract him from the primary assignment that God gave him (Acts 9: 15) and the Church (Matt. 28: 19, 20) to accomplish.
Humanitarian projects can serve as great points of contact through which the promotion of The Great Commission can be entertained.
Q.: Am I saying that the recipients of food, shelter, and clothing are to be compelled to listen to the Gospel Message or Bible Docrtine in order to be receive the goods or services?
A.: Absolutely NOT!
"If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you (the Church) says to them, "Go in peace, be warm and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what us us that (James 2: 16 NASB italics mine)."
In EVERY crowd there are those who will listen and/or make inquiries, and there will be those who will not. When Jesus fed the thousands, He did not take a poll to see who did and who did not listen and respond to the message(s) He preached, but He did provide all of them with the opportunity to do so.
Here in the Church Age, it is God the Holy Spirit who works behind the scenes preparing those He calls to receive the Gospel Message and/or a principle of edifying Bible Doctrine. It is He that makes the Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine understandable (1Cor. 2: 14), providing the recipient with the opportunity to respond.
Presenting the Gospel Message and/or an edifying principle of Scripture to one who has not first been prepared (by God) to receive it will prove to be an act of futility.
Christians should lead the "horse"to the water, but he/she can NOT make it drink. One leads via example. The opportunity to offer the "water" (Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine) often comes after a very long period of "leadership" has taken place, or when circumstances has driven the recipient to seek the answers to his/her spiritual questions.
One thing that some animals have that many humans lack is an ability to detect foul water. Fallen Man not only is hostile towards God and the things of God, he very receptive to the all the alternatives that human "viewpoint" has to offer. Without the intervention and enabling power of God the Holy Spirit, Fallen Man CAN NOT understand the things of God (Romans 8: 7).
God grants every soul the freedom to choose to either believe, accept, and apply the Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine and receive the benefits for having done so, or to choose to disbelieve, reject, fail to apply the Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine and suffer the consequences.
Once presented, the recipient may have questions for which the evangelist, pastor, disciple, ambassador, or believer should be prepared (1Pet. 3: 15) to answer. Again we can see the importance of post salvation discipleship (the study of the Word of God).
"... but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense (explanation) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1Per. 3: 15 NASB)."
It is NOT the place for an evangelist, pastor, teacher, disciple, ambassador, or believer to try to argue, debate, or force a recipient of either the Gospel Message or an edifying principle of Bible Doctrine to accept or to apply them. The function of the evangelist, pastor, teacher, disciple, ambassador, or believer is to accurately communicate the Gospel Message to unbelievers and to communicate Bible Doctrine to fellow believers, providing the recipient with the opportunity to can made an "informed" decision.
The Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine can be presented in a variety of ways while e simultaneously providing food, shelter, clothing to the needy, or while engaged in a pro-environmental project. While dispensing such things or providing such services, the Gospel Message and/or a principle of Bible Doctrine can be conveyed through movies, music, CD's, DVD's, posters, videos, paper handouts, or when engaged in conversations with the people that come to or otherwise participate in the events.
Where I do my shopping, the cashiers always ask the customers checking out if they want to contribute either cash or a food item to the local food bank. I and many customers often choose to do so. There are many means and opportunities to provide clothing to the needy. There a many organizations that provide medical care to the needy. There are many charitable organizations that will provide shelter to the needy.
Providing food, shelter, and clothing by any means to the needy are all worthwhile endeavor, and should be on the "to do" list of those who claim to be Christians. Never-the-less, such humanitarianism does NOTHING, in of itself, to address the spiritual needs of the recipients of such goods/services.
Q.: "For what does it profit a man to gain (all the food, clothing, and shelter that) the whole world (has to offer), and (if he) forfeit(s) his soul (Mark 8: 36 NASB italics mine)?"
A. NOTHING of eternal value!
"Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matt. 6: 30 NASB)."
Providing the needy with food, shelter, clothing, and medical services will not generate one second of eternal life for either the provider or the recipient. Providing the needy with food, shelter, clothing, and medical services will not, in of itself, edify the soul structure of a born again believer.
At best, such things that attend to the needs of the body and the environment can provide those involved with the opportunity to minister to the spiritual needs of the recipients, providing such activity is incorporated with the human good being performed.
In this way, BOTH the provider and the recipient have MUCH (1Cor. 3: 14/John 3: 16)to be gained.
A Christian, being a follower of Christ and a fisher of men, will do BOTH.
(Revised 8/26/19).
The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples that IF they "f-o-l-l-o-w-e-d" Him, that He would make them "fishers of men (Matt. 4: 19) NASB.
"And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matt. 4: 19 NASB)."
At the time, the Lord was speaking to Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew. They were literally fishing, using a net. The Lord was telling them that just as they were casting a net to bring fish into their boat, they would bring souls into the Kingdom of God IF they followed Him.
The same calling to become "fishers of men (Matt. 4: 19 NASB)" was later extended to the Church (and to all who would become a member of it) when the risen Lord issued His "marching orders," aka The Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 29), to the Church that was, at that time, about to be established. Ever born again believer of the Church Age is a member of the Church that God established.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching (discipleship) them to observe all (Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine)that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the (Church) age (Matt. 28: 19, 20 NASB italics mine."
If one is truly a "follower" of Christ, he/she will be a fisher of men. While discipleship also involves the sharing accurate Bible Doctrine for the edification of fellow believers, the concept of being a fisher of men is primarily focused on the preservation and the proclamation of the Gospel Message to those who need to be born again (John 3: 5, 7).
Q.: Who "needs" to be born again?
A.: Anyone who desires to enter the kingdom of God (John 3: 5, 7).
Many "religious" denominations, local assemblies, ministries, and individuals WITHIN the Christian Community at large have neglected the marching orders (Matt. 28: 19, 20) that the Church was given, adopting or prioritizing alternative agendas based on human good and the religious "traditions of men."
Such things as humanitarian and environmental projects should be on the "to do list." But there is an issue that needs to be addressed when in the process of engaging in such activity, the Church neglects to incorporate its primary mission (Matt. 28: 19, 20). There are many who claim to be "followers" of Christ who can count on one hand the number of people they have personally shared the Gospel Message with since their own conversion. This is NOT a Matt.4: 19 "fisher of men."
Q. Converted from what?
A. Converted from the spiritually dead status in which we all come into this world. This spiritually dead (separated from God) status is the result of the sin nature that was passed down to our humanity at conception (Psalms 51: 5), and becomes a part of our total being when God (John 3: 6b) creates our soul and places us (our soul) in the body of His choosing when the body, that our biological parents (John 3: 6a) reproduced, comes forth at birth. Our biological parents may or may not have had "a" baby in mind the moment what would become our humanity was conceived. But when that body came forth at birth, God created our soul (John 3: 6b), God chose the specific body that we would indwell during our appointed time here on Earth.
"Behold I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me (Psalms 51: 5 NASB)."
There is nothing sinful about sexual intercourse under the umbrella of marriage. This verse is speaking about the passing down of the sin nature that has taken place since the Fall of Man.
"That (the body) which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that (the soul/spirit) which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3: 6 NASB itlalics mine)"
When an individual is born again (John 3:5, 7), he (the soul) receives eternal life (John 3: 16). One's spirit that had come into this world spiritually dead (separated from God) becomes spiritually alive, having been regenerated (Titus 3: 5), forever sealed (identified/baptized) Eph. 4: 30 as a child of God, all of which is the Work of God the Holy Spirit that does NOT involve a human clergyman or mediator.
The ONE and ONLY part that the Church (or any individual member of it) plays in the above process of salvation is to be the one who preserves and presents the u-n-a-d-u-l-t-e-r-a-t-e-d Gospel Message. By "u-n-a-d-u-l-t-e-r-a-t-e-d," I am referring to the Gospel Message of Scripture that has not been polluted by all the "add-ons" that have evolved within the Christian Community that are no more than religious precepts (Matt. 15: 9 NASB) and traditions of men)."
"But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as (Bible) doctrines the precepts of men (Matt. 15: 9 NASB italics mine)."
"You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God (Luke 16: 15 NASB),"
Maintaining the "purity" of the Gospel Message is what I mean when I say the Church is to "preserve" it. The preservation of the true Gospel Message has been a challenging source of conflict within the Christian Community from the very beginning (Gal.3).
False (polluted) Gospels have been circulating within the Christian Community from the very beginning. They are present now. Paul speaks of those who adopt these Gospels as having been "bewitched (Gal. 3: 1 NASB)." 1Tim. 4: 1 speaks of the great apostasy (false teachings and accompanying practices) that will be WITHIN the Christian Community during the end times when those who claim to be followers of Christ will listen to doctrines taught by demons.
It is hard for many "Christians" to think of "Church" as being a place where such spiritual combat takes place. Ignorance and/or denial of the presence and activity of the Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil WITHIN the "Christian Community" is what opens the door to great victories by the forces of evil. When such issues are raised, religious groups tend to think that God must be talking about the Church down the street, and not their own.
For me this brings (Matt. 7: 3-5) to mind.
"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye (Matt. 7: 3-5 NASB)?"
Since religious leadership consider themselves infallible when it comes to the interpretation and application of Scripture, they have no other alternative but to label those who desire to purge the Church of its never-ending tending to entertain apostasy as heretics. Religious authority sees the Bible as being a product of the Church, therefore subject to their editing and/or addition (Proverbs 30: 6/Deut. 4: 2/Deut. 32/Rev. 22:18 ).
Edified disciples see the 66 (39 Old Testament/ 27 New Testament) books of the Bible as the final source of tangible authority to which the Church is subordinate. Other books have been included in some Bibles that have been constructed under the authority of religion. The mere fact that these books were composed during the 400 years of silence (when God did NOT speak to Man) disqualifies them as being "Scripture."
Evil is any teaching or practices that contradicts God or the things (Bible) of God. Many Christians pray to be "delivered from evil"when reciting by rote what has become known as the Lord's Prayer, but are blind to the evil that they unwittingly engage in under the umbrella of their chosen "religion." A bullet fired in ignorance can be just as lethal as one that is fired with malicious intent.
When religious and political forces have joined forces, the Christian Community has gone through the darkest periods of its history resulting in great internal conflicts between the Bible oriented Church that God designed and the many alternative Churches that are the products of the traditions of men.
An "add on" is ANY further requirement to be saved that goes beyond having faith (trust and confidence) in the Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ that IS outlined in the unadulterated Gospel Message of Scripture. Such "add ons" are among the things that are held in high esteem by Man, but are "detestable" in sight of God (Luke 16: 15). They are "detestable" because their presence and promotion imply that faith in the "finished-John 19: 30 NASB" work that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross is not enough to obtain and retain salvation.
Religion promotes eternal life as something to be received when one dies and goes to Heaven, whereas Scripture (eg. John 3: 18/Romans 8:1) teach that one a-l-r-e-a-d-y has received eternal life the moment he/she was born again, here on Earth. There is NOTHING that one needs to do, can do , or have done that can increase the integrity of the eternal life and salvation that a born again believer has already received.
"You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God (Luke 16: 15 NABS)."
The truth is that if all the icons, apparatus, furnishings, and practices that are the product of the traditions of men were to be removed from WITHIN the Christian Community at large, what would remain would be barely recognizable to many who "go to Church" on a regular basis.
Much, much more (Hebrews 10: 25/1Cor. 11, 24, 25/2Peter. 3: 18/James 1: 22/etc.) IS required if a born again believer is going identify and execute the post (after) salvation spiritual life. But the post salvation spiritual life is NOT for purpose of either "finishing" the salvation process, nor is it for the purpose of retaining the eternal life that a born again believer has already received. The purpose for the post salvation spiritual life is for a born again believer to bring the maximum glory to God here on Earth while living here in the devil's (Luke 4: 6) world!
The world is presently in the dispensation (period of time) of the Church Age. The Church Age began in Jerusalem, Israel a few weeks after the Lord Jesus Christ gave His marching orders to the Church that was about to be established.
People generally take a lot of stock in what Someone has to say just before they know they are about to depart this world. After issuing these orders in what has become known as the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 19, 20) and reiterating them in Acts 1:8, the Lord ascended into the heavens (Acts 1 9). He promised to be with the Church throughout the Church Age as they continue with the Work that He gave the Church to do. He promised to His return when the Church Age is over. It is when the Matt. 28: 19, 20 work that the Church was given to do is finished, that the end of the Church Age comes (Matt. 24: 14).
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matt. 24: 14 NASB)."
This Matt. 24: 14 "end" is NOT the end of the world. There are seven more years (some teach 3 1/2 years) of the Great Tribulation to take place AFTER the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 16, 17) takes place, leaving behind every soul on the Earth that has not as of that time been born again, regardless of his/her "religious" affiliation or lack of it. The Great Tribulation, and all the horrific (Matt. 24: 22/Mark 13: 20) activity associated with it, comes to an abrupt end when the Second Advent (the return of Christ with His Church) takes place.
After returning with His (Raptured) Church, and defeating the military coalition attacking Israel at the time, the Lord Jesus Christ establishes His 1,000 year Kingdom here on this present Earth (Rev. 20: 6).
During that 1,000 year period, the Earth is transformed into to blessed environment. During that 1,000 yr. period, the devil is confined to the abyss (Hades). At the end of this 1,000 period, the devil is released and allowed to organize an international coalition that attempts to make one last assault on Jerusalem, the HQ of the Lord's earthly kingdom, but is destroyed by divine intervention. It is then that the devil and his forces of evil are permanently confined in the lake of fire. It is only after all of these events have taken place, that the present earth "melts away in intense heat," and the new heaven and the new earth of Rev. 22 is established.
The Rapture will take place without warning and will be all over within the "twinkling of a eye (1Cor. 15: 42 NASB)." There will be no time for repentance or for unbelievers to be born again. There are many prophecies yet to be fulfilled before the end of the world takes place, but there are NO more prophecies that need to be fulfilled BEFORE the Rapture takes place other than the completion of the Great Commission. Note that the Gospel Message is to be preached to the whole world as a witness, but nowhere does it say that the majority of the world will choose to respond to it. Matt. 7:13 indicates just the opposite!
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt. 7: 13, 14 NASB)."
Neither Biblical description of the Church (1Tim. 4: 1) just before the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 16, 17) takes place, nor the Biblical description of the world (Matt. 24: 22/Mark 13: 20) before the Second Advent takes place speaks of a world in which good has overcome evil. Cleaning up the devil's world is not what the Great Commission is all about.
But until the Rapture (1Thess. 4: 16, 17) takes place, the Church that God established has its work to do, primarily focused on the fulfilling the Great Commission. As noted earlier, humanitarian and environment work should be on the "to do" list, but it is NOT to be given priority over the primary mission that it was given to accomplish.
Being a fisher of men (proclaiming the Gospel Message) was one of the standing orders that He gave to His Church.
Everyone who has been born again is a member of the Church that God designed. The orders of the Great Commission were given to each and every born again believer. Our individual compliance with these orders (not suggestions) will be apart of the account that every born again believer will give to God (Romans 14: 12). The devil, and religion, would have us believe that it will be "sin" that we are going to have to account for, when in truth, there is "no condemnation for sin for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1)." It is the quality of one's post salvation spiritual life that born again believers are going to give an account.
This highlights the importance of post salvation discipleship. One can not fulfill his/her part in the Great Commission and be ignorant of what the Bible has to say concerning salvation and the post salvation spiritual life. Making matters worse, if one is not clear on what the Bible actually says, he/she can unwittingly become a spokesman for the Kingdom of Darkness, "...teaching as doctrines the precepts of men (Matt. 15: 9 NASB)." One can teach others by what he/she does, as well as what he/she says.
Discipleship is the ongoing study and application of the Word of God. Like a runner in a torch-relay race, one can not pass the torch (Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine) along to others in our individual periphery until we have first taken possession and understand it for ourselves.
How well any given pulpit prepares born again believers for this is a good indicator of rather or not his/her chosen local assembly is the type of local assembly that God designed (Eph. 4: 11-17 NASB)."
And He gave some as apostles (1st Century) and some as prophets (spokespersons for God), and some as evangelists (proclaiming the Gospel Message to unbelievers), and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints (saints = born again believers) for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (universal Church) until we all attain to the unity of the (unadulterated) faith, and of the (accurate) knowledge of the Son of God, to a (spiritually) mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be (like) children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of (false) doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love (sincere convern for the spiritual well-being of others), we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in (a spirit of) love (Eph. 4: 11-17 NASB italics mine)."
Note that there are no officiating priests listed in the above passage.
One's chosen response to such preparation (if it exists) is a good indication of rather or not he/she has identified and is pursuing the type of post salvation spiritual life that God designed.
Discipleship is initially for the edification of the born again believer, but with the long term objective of participating in the Great Commission wherever one finds him/herself on a DAILY BASIS.
If one is "not all that interested" in learning of and/or executing the post salvation spiritual life, it is a good indication that a 2Cor. 13:5 self-examination is in order.
"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test (2Cor. 13: 5 NASB?"
These words of Paul were written to the born again believers in ancient Corinth, so we can conclude that salvation (going to Heaven) was not the issue being addressed. Being in the faith, in this case, refers to identifying and actively executing the post salvation spiritual life.
We wouldn't think much of a person who would remain silent and allow another to sit down on a chair that he/she knew to be defective that could result in bodily injury.
But what do think God thinks of those who claim to be Christians, who have the KNOWLEDGE (Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine) that others need to hear to avoid earthly (Heb. 12: 6) and/or eternal (Rev. 20: 15) disaster, but do not share that knowledge when God gives them the opportunity to do so?
Every spiritually dead soul needs to hear the Gospel Message. Every born again believer needs to hear edifying principles of Bible Doctrine. There are such spiritually dead souls and born again believers in virtually every familial, social, labor, and public environments with whom born again believers cross paths with each an every day.
By divine design, most born again believers will NEVER be called to be a missionary in some foreign land or to be a pastor in a local church, but every born again believer is called to the life of personal discipleship, to take part in the Great Commission, and to become an ambassador for Christ 24-7, wherever he/she finds him/herself on a daily basis!
Many religious denominations, local assemblies, ministries and individuals have adopted or prioritized alternative agendas. I is much easier and popular to engage in humanitarian activities and environmental projects that it is to engage in the primary work that our Lord gave to His Church. The primary work that the Lord gave to His Church was/is to preserve and to preach the Gospel Message to unbelievers, and to make disciples (students and appliers of the Word of God) out of those who are born again.
The devil does not mind, and even might appreciate, those who contribute to making his world (Luke 4: 6) a better place to live, p-r-o-v-i-d-i-n-g that the Great Commission is not a part of the activity. Long before the human race was ever created, the devil had a position of honor () in the Court of Heaven, but there came a time in eternity past that he desired to establish his own kingdom that was to be productive, but independent of God. He continues to have that desire, but there is long history of what takes place when God or the things of God are set aside by members of either the angelic or human race.
Atheists and non-Christian organizations and individuals feed, clothe, shelter, provide medical services, strive for social injustice, and engage in protecting/preserving the natural environment as do their Christian counterparts. What makes (or should make) the difference is that when Christians are involved in the same humanitarian, social, or environment projects, they make promoting the Great Commission their primary objective.
Take the Great Commission out of the activity and there is no difference in what is accomplished by either group. Atheists and non-Christian groups can feed, clothe, and shelter the needy just as well as their Christian counterparts. Take the Great Commission out of the activity and it will not be God that receives the glory. Take the Great Commission out of the activity and its a win-win scenario for the devil, as the devil's world IS made a little better and God is denied the glory that He might have otherwise received.
Granted, such things as humanitarian and environmental projects should be on the "to do" list of Christian organizations and on the "to do" list of those who claim to be Christians (James 2: 16). But just as such things had the support and approval of the Lord Jesus Christ, it was NOT His top priority, and was NOT to be the top priority of the Church that He commissioned (Matt. 28: 19, 20).
There IS a Biblical balance that simultaneously satisfies both the physical and the spiritual needs of those that the Church is called to minister (serve). Perhaps the example of the Apostle Paul sets the best example of the balance of which I am speaking. Paul organized and participated in a "fund raiser" throughout the Christian Community of his day in support of the logistical needs of the believers in the local assembly in Jerusalem (), but did not allow this to distract him from the primary assignment that God gave him (Acts 9: 15) and the Church (Matt. 28: 19, 20) to accomplish.
Humanitarian projects can serve as great points of contact through which the promotion of The Great Commission can be entertained.
Q.: Am I saying that the recipients of food, shelter, and clothing are to be compelled to listen to the Gospel Message or Bible Docrtine in order to be receive the goods or services?
A.: Absolutely NOT!
"If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you (the Church) says to them, "Go in peace, be warm and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what us us that (James 2: 16 NASB italics mine)."
In EVERY crowd there are those who will listen and/or make inquiries, and there will be those who will not. When Jesus fed the thousands, He did not take a poll to see who did and who did not listen and respond to the message(s) He preached, but He did provide all of them with the opportunity to do so.
Here in the Church Age, it is God the Holy Spirit who works behind the scenes preparing those He calls to receive the Gospel Message and/or a principle of edifying Bible Doctrine. It is He that makes the Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine understandable (1Cor. 2: 14), providing the recipient with the opportunity to respond.
Presenting the Gospel Message and/or an edifying principle of Scripture to one who has not first been prepared (by God) to receive it will prove to be an act of futility.
Christians should lead the "horse"to the water, but he/she can NOT make it drink. One leads via example. The opportunity to offer the "water" (Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine) often comes after a very long period of "leadership" has taken place, or when circumstances has driven the recipient to seek the answers to his/her spiritual questions.
One thing that some animals have that many humans lack is an ability to detect foul water. Fallen Man not only is hostile towards God and the things of God, he very receptive to the all the alternatives that human "viewpoint" has to offer. Without the intervention and enabling power of God the Holy Spirit, Fallen Man CAN NOT understand the things of God (Romans 8: 7).
God grants every soul the freedom to choose to either believe, accept, and apply the Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine and receive the benefits for having done so, or to choose to disbelieve, reject, fail to apply the Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine and suffer the consequences.
Once presented, the recipient may have questions for which the evangelist, pastor, disciple, ambassador, or believer should be prepared (1Pet. 3: 15) to answer. Again we can see the importance of post salvation discipleship (the study of the Word of God).
"... but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense (explanation) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1Per. 3: 15 NASB)."
It is NOT the place for an evangelist, pastor, teacher, disciple, ambassador, or believer to try to argue, debate, or force a recipient of either the Gospel Message or an edifying principle of Bible Doctrine to accept or to apply them. The function of the evangelist, pastor, teacher, disciple, ambassador, or believer is to accurately communicate the Gospel Message to unbelievers and to communicate Bible Doctrine to fellow believers, providing the recipient with the opportunity to can made an "informed" decision.
The Gospel Message/Bible Doctrine can be presented in a variety of ways while e simultaneously providing food, shelter, clothing to the needy, or while engaged in a pro-environmental project. While dispensing such things or providing such services, the Gospel Message and/or a principle of Bible Doctrine can be conveyed through movies, music, CD's, DVD's, posters, videos, paper handouts, or when engaged in conversations with the people that come to or otherwise participate in the events.
Where I do my shopping, the cashiers always ask the customers checking out if they want to contribute either cash or a food item to the local food bank. I and many customers often choose to do so. There are many means and opportunities to provide clothing to the needy. There a many organizations that provide medical care to the needy. There are many charitable organizations that will provide shelter to the needy.
Providing food, shelter, and clothing by any means to the needy are all worthwhile endeavor, and should be on the "to do" list of those who claim to be Christians. Never-the-less, such humanitarianism does NOTHING, in of itself, to address the spiritual needs of the recipients of such goods/services.
Q.: "For what does it profit a man to gain (all the food, clothing, and shelter that) the whole world (has to offer), and (if he) forfeit(s) his soul (Mark 8: 36 NASB italics mine)?"
A. NOTHING of eternal value!
"Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matt. 6: 30 NASB)."
Providing the needy with food, shelter, clothing, and medical services will not generate one second of eternal life for either the provider or the recipient. Providing the needy with food, shelter, clothing, and medical services will not, in of itself, edify the soul structure of a born again believer.
At best, such things that attend to the needs of the body and the environment can provide those involved with the opportunity to minister to the spiritual needs of the recipients, providing such activity is incorporated with the human good being performed.
In this way, BOTH the provider and the recipient have MUCH (1Cor. 3: 14/John 3: 16)to be gained.
A Christian, being a follower of Christ and a fisher of men, will do BOTH.
(Revised 8/26/19).