Arnie and Fred continue to discuss more facts about the gospel. We begin this episode by looking at the fact that the gospel is immutable or cannot be changed. We discuss what Paul and John said about this subject and note that there are some warnings in what they said. We next talk about the indestructible or eternal nature of the gospel. Jesus along with four other writers note this fact. We look at all of them. We find that the gospel is also verifiable. Four inspired writers note this and provide us with the evidence to make the verifications. We talk about how important this is for us today. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.
Arnie and Fred continue to discuss more facts about the gospel. We begin this episode by looking at the fact that the gospel is immutable or cannot be changed. We discuss what Paul and John said about this subject and note that there are some warnings in what they said. We next talk about the indestructible or eternal nature of the gospel. Jesus along with four other writers note this fact. We look at all of them. We find that the gospel is also verifiable. Four inspired writers note this and provide us with the evidence to make the verifications. We talk about how important this is for us today. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.
This is a presentation of the Woodland church of Christ meeting at 3370 Broad Street in Sumter, South Carolina. We meet for worship on Sunday at ten thirty am and five thirty pm. We meet for bible study at nine thirty am on Sunday, and seven pm on Wednesday. If you have questions or comments on this lesson, you may email them to Fred Gosnell at fgosnell@ftc-i.net Or to Arnie Granke at agranke440718@twc.com.
Arnie:Good afternoon. This is Arnie Granke and Fred Gosnell with the church of Christ at Woodland in Sumter South Carolina. This is what does the Bible say? Which is sponsored by that congregation. We hope if you happen to be in the the Sumter area either as a tourist or possibly in the military at Shaw Air Force base or one of the surrounding bases, we would certainly welcome you to come visit with us and, and worship with us and have Bible study and, and all of that at Woodland. We're just two miles east of the main gate of Shaw Air Force Base on highway 76/378. We're easy to find. We would look forward to having you with us. Fred and I last, the last couple of sessions that we've had, have talked about some facts about the gospel. We've we've discussed the fact that it was mediated by Christ, it was inspired by God and God breathed, in other words. It's not not just a work of men, thinking about what God would like to have us believe; but it's God telling us through through those words. It's very explicit. It, there's nothing that's left to to the imagination that we've got to try to figure out. And it's certainly confirmed. It was confirmed by miracles. And so if people wondered, well, is this the Word of God, then someone was healed, or a group of people were healed various kinds of diseases and, and situations; that provided the proof that as a matter of fact, what the apostles were saying was, in fact, the truth. It's complete. We're not looking for any anything else. There is no second, third, or there's no, yeah, second, third, fourth, or fifth, or 10th. New Testament of Jesus Christ. There's just just the one New Testament. It was intact by before the end of the first century. And if somebody else came along, oh, 1700, 1800 years later, well, then what did people do for God's will in the meantime? That just doesn't, doesn't wash. The the New Testament certainly is, is unique. And there's nothing else that that's like it. Fred, what other, what other qualities do you think we ought to look at here?
Fred Gosnell:Well, let's look at the fact that it is immutable or it's unchangeable. What we have today is what was provided in the first century, or prior to that. In Galatians 3, 15. Paul, writing to the brethren there at Galatia. He says, Brethern, I speak after the manner of men, though it be about a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disanulleth or addeth thereto. No man changes it or adds to it. Of course, the word covenant, another word for that would be testament. So, you know, my, my last will and testament when I die, nobody adds adds to it. Nobody takes it anyway, anything away from it, it's gonna go to probate and probate is going to make sure that whoever I named was going to carry out what I said, Without addition or subtraction.
Arnie:As long as it was legal.
Fred Gosnell:And sure, yeah, absolutely. And of course, Paul, again to the to the Galatian brethren there, evidently they had a problem in the first century, there were people that were trying to add to it. Galatians one, six through nine, Paul says, I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; which is not another, but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which ye have, we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you, then that ye have received, let him be accursed. So Paul says, you know, we've already preached it to you, you've already received it, and it can't be changed, doesn't matter who comes, comes to you, even if angel from heaven appears and says, Well, this is what we need to add to it. He says, don't believe it. That would make it another gospel, not the same as what we the apostles, inspired apostles provided. So so it's a it's complete in the first century, can't be added to, can't be taken away from. And I think John says some more about that in Revelation, doesn't he Arnie?
Arnie:Well, he does actually in Revelation 22. Of course, that's right at the end of the, of the book of Revelation, as John is wrapping up the last book in the New Testament, beginning in verse 17, of Revelation 22. He said, The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And the spirit, of course, that he's talking about is is the Holy Spirit. And let him that heareth, say, Come. Let him that is athirst Come. And whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part, out of the book of life, out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. So interesting warning here, that ought to alert anybody not to tamper with with God's word whether to add to it or take away from it; just do it as it's written. That if any man shall add, God shall add to him the plagues. Those plagues weren't just illness. Those plagues were, were punishment and, and critical situations, that would that would result if somebody did not obey God's God's word. So he will add to them the plagues that are written in the book, and and he'll take away the part that an individual has, in in the Gospel, his part that would have been really reserved for Him in heaven, if he takes away from, from God's word. Do not tamper with God's word.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And of course, you know, there are some people that just don't think that's any big deal when they do, but they'll find out that that's serious business. So what kind of follows along with the fact that there's not to be any changes to the New Testament, then it's also eternal. It's, it was complete in the first century, it's going to last until time ends. And Hebrews 13, 20 and 21, the Hebrew writer begins in verse 20, he says, Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead, our Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect, and every good work to do His will working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. So, the Hebrew writer says that, that this is an everlasting covenant. And again, another word for the covenant would be testament. It's an everlasting testament. It's one that once the Lord instituted it in the first century, and once he died, bringing it into force, then it is going to continue and last forever, well until the end of time, and until it is taken out of the way when the when the Lord returns. So not something that's just, you know, a document that was written in just maybe it's gonna last a few years and no, it's an everlasting document and everything. Excuse me, an everlasting testament that will last forever.
Arnie:Yeah, he said, he said that it'll make you perfect and every good work to do His will. I'm sure there are a lot of people that think they're already perfect. But this is talking about being fully equipped to know what you need to know if you if you read the book, and and to be able to do exactly what God prescribes. for us to do. The instructions are pretty, pretty clear. And, of course, he's not saying that you ought to only read the book of Revelation, we need to read all 27 of those books and and do it on a on a frequent basis, once you've read through the New Testament, start from the beginning again. And and review the things that Jesus taught and and that the apostles taught, and then the things that John wrote from the from the book of, of Revelation; to show that we, we're prepared and not left behind when it when it comes to, comes to doing God's will.
Fred Gosnell:So, Jesus also talks about the fact that his covenant is everlasting. And in Matthew 24, verse 35, there he says, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but then he says, but my words shall not pass away. So his words are eternal, they're going to last forever, they will never be destroyed. And of course, men over the years have tried to destroy God's word, they've tried to change it in any number of ways. But they have not been not been able to do so. And, and of course, that's because, you know, God protects His Word through His providence. And there's nobody that that can change it. And it's gonna last forever.
Arnie:Jesus in Matthew chapter 24, when I think you were reading, there, heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away. The, the Jews, pretty much had had gotten away from doing anything, really, that the that the Old Testament prescribed for them to do, maybe maybe not quite that extreme. But there was a good bit that they were not doing, and a number of things that they were doing that were contrary to the, to the Old Testament. And so Jesus is, is giving a warning that, that this is never going to go away. His his words, are with us and needs to be obeyed. And Jesus had warned in Matthew 24, about the destruction of Jerusalem in the first part of the, of the chapter, and in his last part of the chapter, there after the verse 34, 35, somewhere in there, he speaks about the, the end of of time. And so you know, people, everyone needs to be prepared for those, those things that take that seriously. Jesus went from there, left Jerusalem with his apostles, and went up into the mount of Mount of Olives. And He did some more teaching and speaking to them there and made it made it pretty clear that that it was important to obey his his will. In fact, the next chapter goes into discussing the judgment and being prepared for for that. In Hebrews chapter two, and beginning in in verse one, the Hebrew writer said, Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we've heard lest than any time we should let them slip. But the word spoken by angels was steadfast. And every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heardHim. The word confirmed there has to do with it being committed having this being established, it wasn't that Jesus was just talking off the top of his head, maybe some of it was a little exaggerated or, or something along that line. No, this was God's will and had to be a fully obeyed. And then verse four, says God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will. We need to certainly take God's word seriously, and and obey it, do what he says in His word.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And of course, the fact that it is not going to pass away. It's eternal. As as Jesus said. It's, sometimes people, people have their red lettered editions of the Bible. And they think, Well, those are the words that Jesus said. But all these other guys, they wrote some things and maybe, you know, they're not as authoritative.
Arnie:It's not in red letters.
Fred Gosnell:Right. But well, but Paul says in First Corinthians 14, verse 37, he says, Now, 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. So. So Paul says, what I write, it's the commandments of the Lord. So well, that means that those words are going to be eternal as well. And we have to pay attention, what and what Paul says, what the other writers say. Those are things that we must obey, because they have the same authority, as what Jesus said when he was with them. Of course, he had told them that he was going to leave, but he would send them the Holy Spirit who would guide them into all truth. So all truth was provided to them by the Holy Spirit, they wrote it down, those words are never going to pass away. And what the Paul wrote, the others wrote are the commandments of the Lord. And, of course, Peter had had a little bit to say about that. And in first Peter didn't he Arnie?
Arnie:He sure did. Verse 24, is the passage that you're thinking of, where where Peter said, All flesh, is his grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of of grass. The grass withereth and the flower, thereof falleth away, but the word of the LORD endureth forever. This is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. Let me go back to just a sort of a note there on First Corinthians 14, where you were a minute ago, in verse, verse 37. Sometimes there are there are people that say, Well, you know, I've, I've become a Christian, and the Lord has given me directly, has communicated to me and told me what he wants me to do and what he wants me to teach and say, and, and all of that; I'm a, a spiritual person. That's not what that's not what this passage is, is, is telling us. We don't have to gift the property property of prophecy today anymore. A lot of people think that they do. And certainly, it's not talking about having been endowed by some, with something by the Spirit. It has to do with, Are you a spiritual person, in the sense that you know, and understand and obey God's word. That's, if you're not that kind of person, maybe that's why you're not acknowledging the things that that Paul wrote being the commandments of the Lord. We need to be careful and do some introspection, and make sure that we don't fall into a trap of our own making.
Fred Gosnell:Exactly. And then, of course, sometimes people, people will say, Well, you know, we don't have everything. There's, there's some of the letters that were written in the first century were, we don't have; and they usually go to Colossians 4, 16. And Paul writes there, he says, When, when this epistle, the one to the Colossians is read among you, he says, Cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And then they say, see there there's a, where's the epistle from Laodicea? Well, the Lord has something to say about that. Revelation chapter three,
Arnie:As a matter of fact, in verses 14 through 22, the Lord says, Now, unto the messenger of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith the Amen, The faithful and the true witness, the beginning of the creation of God, I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot, I would, I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth because thou saith, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. And knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich and white, in white raiment and that thou must be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve that thou mayest see. So many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous, therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me; To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me, in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with my Father in His throne, He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. So there was a letter to the Laodiceans. It was written by John, in Revelation, chapter three. There were seven letters written to seven churches. So Paul had told the those that at Colossae that, See that you read also in the church of the Laodiceans, that letter, and you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. So they were to read what Jesus said in Revelation 3, 14, through 22, the letter to the Laodiceans. Sometimes, people want to find discrepancies, where some kind of error in in the Bible, they just, it justifies, in their mind, justifies what they made up their mind to believe, rather than deters people that are serious about the Bible, from from reading it and understanding it and and obeying it. So they'll name that the book of the Laodiceans, of the Laodiceans and one that's missing, we don't have that. And then there probably 50 or so other books, as well that are named in, in the Bible that they say, you see, we don't have any of these books anymore. Say, Well, you know, you don't have Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, either, you know. You don't have to obey that and, and do the things that that it talks about. Don't just pick out some books that you think ought to be in the in in God's word, and then disparage the Bible as not having the one that you think is, ought to be there. So so what we're what we're saying here is we're talking about something that's that eternal, and reliable. Let me let me go on to another topic, if if we may here because the Bible is verifiable. It's it's not as if it's not just some book that's a bunch of people wrote, and they they had a pretty good imagination or anything along that, that line. The reason people believe the Bible, is because they know that things that that it says were substantiated, miraculously. And, of course, we need to try the spirits, make sure that when somebody comes along and says, Well, I've done this miracle, or that miracle, or I saw this miracle, or that miracle, done. That. they're talking about something that's in the Bible and not something that they've made up along the way. John writes in first John four, and beginning in verse one, he said, Beloved, believed not every spirit, that's a good piece of advice we'll heed that. But try the spirits. And that's a good piece of advice i]as well. Determine whether or not the spirit is declaring something really is the Spirit of God, not some, some man's imagination. Try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. And let me just say that, that you know what, there there are hundreds of false prophets right here in beautiful downtown Sumter, South Carolina. And it's true in whatever community you live in, and more than likely, as as well. So let's be very careful not everybody that that dresses as a minister or speaks as a minister, claims to be a minister is one. You can test him out by seeing how faithful he is, the to God's word and how he represents God's Word or misrepresents it would be a sign of course, that he that he teaches error. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit, that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. This is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come. Even now already it is in the world. So So it is a problem of having false teachers and, and adversaries to Christ that's what antichrist is. There's not some individual in particular, that's, that's under consideration here, apparently. If you don't teach the truth, you are antichrist. And that's true today, just as well as it was the first century.
Fred Gosnell:Exactly. And, of course, they were told to try these spirits. And in Revelation two, one through three, Jesus talked about that. Beginning in verse one, he says, Unto the angel, or the messenger of the church of Ephesus write, These things saith He which holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my namesake hast labored and hast not fainted. So to the church at Ephesus, the Lord commended them for doing exactly what John had said for them to do, to try the spirits. There were those that were in the first century that claimed to be prophets of God and claimed to be speaking his words that were false teachers and false prophets. So the church at Ephesus had had done that. So God's word was verified in the first century, by those witnesses that were there, those that had spiritual gifts at that time, they could verify what was being said. And of course, then those words are written down. So we have verified words, from God, written down for us. And of course, we need to make sure again, that we verify what somebody says. Just because they, as you said, or call themselves a preacher or they're dressed like one, sounds like they quote the Bible, well, then make sure they quoted correctly, then make sure they apply it correctly. Always remember that Satan quoted Psalm 91 correctly when he tried to tempt Jesus, but he misapplied it. So we need to make sure that those who teach it, teach exactly what it says. And not something, something different.
Arnie:There is one word here and in that passage, you read in verse three, that people might wonder, what does that mean exactly. The word borne, borne there doesn't have to do with children being born. It has to do with persevering is what that's that's about. And and these disciples had persevered, in spite of the fact that there was adversity there and they they had patience, it doesn't mean that they just ignored it. But they, they were willing to suffer through it patiently and not give up the faith, because of the fact that things had gotten a little bit more more difficult. Let's be that way ourselves here. And just incidentally, that the church at Ephesus was one of the early ones to disappear. They in Acts chapter 20, I think it was that Paul spoke with the the elders there in in Ephesus and talk to, talked to them on his way back to to Jerusalem, were back to back to Israel. And it was his Ephesus had been his last stop on the, on the journey there, of the second missionary journey. Just a little piece of information to pass along with you. Second Corinthians, well, Fred is is another passage here. Truly the signs of an apostle, were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, and and mighty deeds. Somebody might wonder what exactly is the sign of an apostle? It just happens that the apostles were the, were the only ones who could bestow spiritual gifts on on others. And, you know, Fred, I'm looking at the, at the clock, it looks like we're out of time, isn't it?. So we better we better stop at this particular point. And we'll we'll invite you to read Acts Chapter Eight beginning in verse 14, there, a little bit more on this particular topic and we'll probably stop, start with that passage next Lord's Day. Have a good week. We look forward to being with you next, next Lord's day.