We have decided to move to the Birmingham area and work with the Flint Hill church in Bessemer, beginning the first Sunday in June. Some of you who receive this paper already know this. Though this will be my last effort in editing the Examiner, brethren at Elgin Hills plan to continue its circulation.
The Lord’s church at Elgin Hills has been good to us, and we trust good has been accomplished through preaching and teaching in this area during the past five years.
Likely due to funeral orations by denominational preachers “preaching the deceased immediately into heaven,” confusion on the above subject has existed.
For a long time I have believed and taught that the dead are in Hades presently. Luke 16 teaches this if it teaches anything. However, many younger (and a few older) preachers have decried this as the “traditional” explanation, as if that makes it immediately wrong! Some time ago I preached on this idea. The chart on the next page is one I used to describe the “intermediate” state into which we must all enter and pass if the Lord does not come first.
Frequently, the idea pops up that since Christ has ascended into heaven, we now have direct access to heaven when we die (Heb. 9:12). This idea also contends that the “hadean realm” (abode of the dead) mentioned in Luke 16 has ceased to exist; that immediately upon death, we go straight to heaven instead (if we are among the righteous).
There are several passages which refute this false notion, perhaps none so powerful though as Peter’s sermon in Acts 2. Peter here quotes a prophecy from David found in Psalm 16:8, and applies it to Jesus as proof of His resurrection. But it also answers those who argue for “direct access” to heaven. Peter notes in vs. 29, “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.” He then adds, “He, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell [hades], neither did his flesh see corruption” (vs. 31). Then, following his application to Jesus, he concludes in vs. 34, “For David is not ascended into the heavens…”! Jesus had already ascended, but David’s soul was still in the hadean realm! And this Peter spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, hence we know that the statement is accurate. If there were no other passage except this, it is adequate to answer those promoting the direct access idea completely.
Part of a growing movement adopted both by denominations as well as some formerly called “churches of Christ” has been to remove any kind of identifying “labels” [i.e. change the name on your sign so nobody knows what you really are!].
Some “progressive” (?) Christians we know have said that “too much baggage goes with the term, ‘church of Christ.’” What they mean is that many understand that the term “church of Christ” is associated with people who believe we should partake of the Lord’s supper every first day of the week, that baptism is necessary for remission of sins, that there is “one body” or universal church of the saved, that there is a distinct organization for local churches, that Christians should sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in assembly worship and not play instruments, just to name a few. Because of what some in the world consider doctrine that is too “narrow,” these “progressives” believe that by dropping the name, “church of Christ,” we will somehow be able to remove an obstacle and convert more people.
In the Old Testament
Early in Scripture we learn that God placed a premium on obedience and punished disobedience (Gen. 2:16-17; 3; 4; et al.).
God expected His people to do things exactly how He said to do them. He told Moses, “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it” (Ex. 25:8,9). At the conclusion of those instructions, God warned, “And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown on the mountain” (Ex. 25:40).
Recently, we received some questions concerning “no pattern theology,” and have written a pamphlet that deals with this false teaching. The question that forms the title of this article is one of the questions in the pamphlet. We invite you to contact us and we will send you a copy of the pamphlet free of charge. It is advertised inside.
What is “no pattern theology,” you ask? The following from Mission Magazine explains from one who advocates it: Read the full post »
Deuteronomy contains a few speeches Moses gave just before he died and in anticipation of Israel’s entrance into Canaan. Chapter 27 begins the final division and speech in which Moses dwells on the sanctions of the Law which were intended to encourage faithfulness – the blessings for faithfulness and curses for disobedience.
By Ferrell Jenkins
It’s Christmas Time! Radio, television, newspapers and special church programs repeat the “Christmas Story.” Crib and manger scenes depict the story for all Americans to see. The question of whether communities have the right to display nativity scenes on public property has made its way to our highest court. Erroneous speculation and truth mingle in the commonly told “Christmas Story.” It sounds so good, but is this the way Jesus wants people to remember Him? The Biblical answer is clear; it is not!
Failing to see this difference leads to confusion over salvation, especially when the question is raised, “What must I do to be saved?” “I believe we are saved by the blood of Jesus; you believe we are saved by baptism,” some say. The truth is, our salvation is not an “either/or” when it comes to the above.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that our national leaders are increasingly becoming out of touch and in many cases at odds with the principles on which our country was founded. The “Judeo-Christian values” which seemed to be the core of much of our government’s policy for years, are being traded for humanism, Marxism, socialism, and government sanctioned and promoted immorality.