Author: Gale Nelson

Apostasy means “falling away”. Apostasy is caused by those who “want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7). The church in the first century was warned, “there will be false teachers among you who secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1). There is an apostasy that is now occurring in many congregations of the churches of Christ.  It was predicted in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” The end result of apostasy is many will lose their souls in eternity.

Many departures have occurred during the past 2000 years, which have resulted in hundreds of different kinds of denominational churches.  Paul says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).  The apostasy we are facing is not caused by those outside the church but from within.  Paul warned the Ephesian elders, “Also from among yourselves men will rise up speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30).

Many in the Lord’s church are wanting to be like the denominations around them just as the children of Israel wanted a king so they could be like the nations around them (1 Samuel 8:5). The spirit of denominationalism is steadily invading many congregations of the churches of Christ. Some now claim there are faithful Christians among all the denominations, and that water baptism is not essential for salvation. We read in Galatians 1:6-7, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.”

It is being advocated that women should take a leading role in the worship of the church by leading prayer, waiting on the table, leading singing, teaching Bible classes with men present, and even preaching. They refer to themselves as a gender-neutral church of Christ. Many congregations have worship teams, also called praise teams, where women with microphones take part in leading the singing. Basically, the praise team becomes a choir and is there for the entertainment of the audience, thus God is not being worshipped “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Instrumental music is again being introduced into worship just as it was a little more than 100 years ago. To ease it in, some congregations have both an “instrumental” and an a cappella service. Some say that instrumental music is not a doctrinal or salvation issue and that it doesn’t really matter. But Jesus says, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7). “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17), which means by His authority. Since instrumental music is by the authority of man and not of God, the worship of one who sings with the instrument is vain.

In Leviticus 18:22 we read, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” The verse that follows it says, “Nor shall you mate with any beast, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before a beast to mate with it. It is perversion” (Leviticus 18:23). This verse deals with the sin of bestiality (sexual intercourse with animals).

Sometimes you will hear homosexuality called a sickness. Some claim “God made me this way.” Is homosexuality a learned life-style? The Bible never presents homosexuality as a sickness. It always refers to it as a sin. The good news is Christ our Lord died for sin. In Romans 5:8,9, Paul shows us that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

Many homosexuals and sodomites in Corinth found mercy from the Lord. First, they had to repent of their sins and be washed in the blood of Christ. Paul speaks of homosexuals and sodomites, then says, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Our response to the sin of homosexuality should not be a violent one. The cause of Christ is neither promoted nor defended by violence. The only weapon of our warfare is the sword of the Spirit, the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The gospel has not lost any of its power, but it has to be preached without compromise.

Anyone struggling (young or old) with homosexuality is welcome to attend and search the scriptures with us. It is our desire (and God’s) that all come to a knowledge of the truth.

Once you find out, the gospel demands you to repent of all your sins, including the sin of their homosexual life-style, then you can render obedience unto the Son of God.

If you continue to walk in the light of God’s word, heaven can be your home.

For part 1 of this epistle, check out Homosexuality: What Does the Bible Say

Many that talk about this subject in print and on the radio, have been called a “homophobe,” a “bigot,” and a “gay basher.” There should be no personal animosity against these people. Homosexuals are no worse than any idolater, adulterer or thief. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the apostle Paul puts these people in the same class, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” In Romans 1:24-32, Paul explains that homosexuality was one of the reasons God “gave up” on the Gentiles. He says, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

Paul put homosexual activity in the midst of a list which includes sexual immorality, murder, and those who hate God. Paul claimed those who committed these crimes were worthy of the penalty of death.

God’s laws on sexual morality in the Old Testament were very plain. Leviticus 20:13 says, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” God’s natural use of the body is plain. Let us continue to teach the truth to our children and to all who will listen.

The Book of Genesis (Hebrew Bereshith, meaning beginning); is a powerful book. We find the beginning of life, the beginning of the family, the fall of man, and the first prophecy concerning the Messiah, who would be the vehicle to save mankind from our sins. Do we trust God?

Trust in God is a fundamental principle of the Christian life. The apostle Paul was motivated by it to live a life of exemplary service. He wrote, “For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).

Trust contains the concepts of assured reliance, confidence, and hope. While it virtually is impossible for the Christian to conceive of a life without trust in God, it remains true that every Christian would do well to examine the degree to which he or she actually does trust in God.

Trust in God can be a lifelong benefit, but it is a blessing contingent upon remaining aligned with God and continually seeking him throughout every one of life’s challenges no matter how great or personal. Today, I will share with you from the book of beginnings (Genesis) that God keeps his promises. We need to trust Him Now and not wait.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

When did Christ establish His church? Its beginning was prophesied in Isaiah 2:2, “It shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains.” We are now living in the last days or the last dispensation. Hebrews 1:2 says that God, “Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.”

Jesus sent His disciples to tell of His coming kingdom, the church. In Matthew 10:7 Jesus says “And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” It was at hand and soon to come into being. Jesus says in Mark 9:1, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste of death till they see the kingdom come with power.” The Lord’s spiritual kingdom, the church, was to come with power. Jesus told His apostles in Luke 24:49 to “tarry in the City of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Also notice what was to come with this power in Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” The Lord’s kingdom, the church, was to come with power and this power was to come when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. We see concerning the 12 apostles in Acts 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Then Acts 2:47 says, “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” The Lord’s church was then a reality.

Any denominational church claiming to have begun before the Day of Pentecost of 33 A.D. was too soon and can’t be the Lord’s church. All of the many denominational churches that had their beginning after this date were too late and can’t be the Lord’s church. Only the Lord’s church was established on the Day of Pentecost of Acts chapter 2. I would not want to be a member of a church the Lord did not establish. He only established His one church. Psalms 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”

God made a choice…I pray that we heed HIS call.

Thank God for men who see the need to set their affection (desire) on things above and not on the earth (Colossians 3:1-3). Times change, but God does not in his faithfulness as a Father (Malachi 3:6).

There probably has never been a period in the world’s history as filled with as many unhappy people as the one in which we now live. In this country we have been blessed above any nation that has ever existed. These blessings have come because in the past this nation trusted in God and was known as a Christian nation. But things have changed and are continuing to change. More and more individuals are putting their trust in pills, psychologists, drugs, alcohol, material wealth, pleasure, and in themselves instead of the living God. Tranquilizers replace the faith in far too many lives. It is estimated that 30 million sleeping pills were taken last night in the USA.

But “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of the drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

To be sure in each life some rain must fall; some days will be dark and dreary. By trusting in God these moments properly used make for brighter and better tomorrows. If there were no difficulties, there could be not triumphs. In dealing with life’s problems Paul writes from his prison cell, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice! Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:4,6). Just imagine a prisoner writing such words to men who were at liberty to go and do as they pleased. Another time when Paul was in jail we read in Acts 16:25, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Paul certainly serves as an example of how we should trust in God.

As we are trusting in God we have “the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Because of our trust in God, “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them even shout for joy, because You defend them” (Psalms 5:11). We should have great joy and gladness to know that we are God’s children “for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Our trusting in God will help us to “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward” (Hebrews 10:35). Let’s “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart” (Proverbs 3:5) so we can go to heaven. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). We cannot even begin to imagine how wonderful heaven will be. So let’s trust in the living God so we can go to heaven.

Fathers, Keep the faith!

“What age do we live in? Christian Age, Messianic Age?” We are presently living in the Christian Age. The following short study should help your understanding regarding the different dispensations or ages of time:

Patriarchal Age

The word “patriarch” means “father.” In this age God began to deal with man as the head of his family. Instead of revealing a written code of law and a system of worship, He spoke to the fathers through visions, dreams, and angels (Genesis 15:1; Genesis 22:11,15; Genesis 31:11; Genesis 31:24; Genesis 46:2; Numbers 12:6; Numbers 24:4,16). Because of the limitation and nature of God’s revelation during this long age, lasting thousands of years, it has been called the “Starlight Age”.

Mosaic Age

Here the name springs from the great lawgiver, Moses. During this period God expanded His method of dealing with man by choosing a nation (Israel – Deuteronomy 7:6-8). Man was now ready for additional revelation from God; hence this age is often called the “Moonlight Age”. Through Moses, God set down a definite written code for social, political, and religious life, with the Ten Commandments as its center (Exodus 20).

Christian Age

The name here refers to Christ, the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The chief characteristic here is that God now turns from a family and a nation to the whole world (John 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 1:5; Romans 16:25-26). Now the grand purpose of God is fulfilled through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2); the redemption of all mankind on earth (those who are willing to be saved by the Gospel or “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25). Thus, this age is often called the “Sunlight Age”– the present age in which we now live.

It is TIME that we all adhere to the teachings of Christ in this present age!