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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore
and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe
all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
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July 22, 2018
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Contents:
1) Man's Spirit After Death (Bill Crews)
2) What about Mormonism? (Derrick Dean)
3) News & Notes
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-1-
Man's Spirit After Death
Bill Crews
How Did Jesus Prove The Resurrection Of The Dead?
The Sadducees, concentrated at Jerusalem and represented especially
among the Jewish Levitical priests, were the liberal religious party
among the Jews in the first century. They differed from the
Pharisees by believing “that there is no resurrection, neither
angel, nor spirit” (Acts 23:8). The Sadducees consistently
denied both the existence of spirits and the reality of a coming
resurrection. If humans are spiritual beings as well as physical
beings, if physical death does not bring all of one’s existence to
an end, if something about humans survives the death of the body,
then there will indeed be a resurrection of the dead.
In Matthew 22:23-30 the Sadducees, to put Jesus to a test, came to
Him with their famous hypothetical case involving a woman married
consecutively to seven different husbands (all brothers and
according to a provision of the law of Moses in Deuteronomy 25:5ff).
Jesus handled their “hard” question (“In the resurrection
therefore whose wife shall she be of the seven?”) with ease.
Such a case, far from disproving the resurrection of the dead,
presents it with no problem at all. Jesus informed them that in the
resurrection there will be no marrying or giving in marriage; the
marriage relationship will simply not exist. Then, giving them more
than they asked for, Jesus remarked, “But as touching the
resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken
unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob?” To which He added the
observation, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living”
(Matthew 22:31-32).
In the Old Testament passage quoted by Jesus, Exodus 3:6, God was
speaking to Moses at the burning bush.
Abraham (Genesis 25:8), Isaac (Genesis 35:29), and Jacob (Genesis
49:33) had all been dead (physically) for many years when God spoke
to Moses. He did not say, “I used to be the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob.” He rather said, “I am the God of…” This,
according to Jesus, necessarily implied that in Moses’ day there was
some sense in which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob still lived. Without
their spirits, their bodies were dead (James 2:26), but their
spirits still lived. Therefore, there will be a resurrection.
A Look At Other Passages On The Subject
In many instances the Bible uses “spirit,” “soul,” and “inward
man” interchangeably. The fact that in a few instances (e.g.,
Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23) a distinction is made between
“soul” and “spirit” does not change this fact. Man
is frequently described as “flesh and spirit” (Matthew
26:41), “body and soul” (Matthew 10:28), “inward man and
outward man” (2 Corinthians 4:16). When Elijah raised the
widow’s son from the dead, the child’s “soul” came into him
again (1 Kings 17:21). When Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from
the dead, her “spirit” returned to her body (Luke 8:55).
Though man is able to kill the body, he is not able to kill the
soul, according to Jesus (Matthew 10:28; cf. Luke 12:4-5). God is
the Father of our spirits (Hebrews 12:9); He gave them (Ecclesiastes
12:7); He formed them in us (Zechariah 12:1). At the death of the
body, the spirit or soul departs (Genesis 35:18; Luke 23:46; Acts
7:59; James 2:26; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9; 2 Peter 1:13-14; Philippians
1:23-24).
That the spirit or soul still exists after the death of the body is
shown by:
Ecclesiastes 12:7 — the spirit returns unto God who
gave it. See Luke 23:46 and Acts 7:59 also.
2 Corinthians 5:1-9 — one can be absent from the
body and at home with the Lord.
Philippians 1:23-24 — one can depart (suffer physical
death) and be with Christ.
Psalm 16:10 (cf. Acts 2:27, 31) — when Jesus died on
the cross, His soul was in hades (KJV: “hell”) while His flesh was
in the tomb.
Matthew 17:3 and Luke 9:11 — Moses and Elijah,
long after their deaths, came to Jesus and conversed with Him.
Luke 16:22-23 — after his death, Lazarus was carried by
the angels into Abraham’s bosom, but the rich man, after his death,
was in hades in torment. The rich man could see, hear, speak, feel,
care about others, and remember (verses 23-29).
Luke 23:43 — the dying Jesus said to the dying robber,
“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise,” which also
describes the state of the beggar, Lazarus, after his death.
An Appeal To You, Dear Reader
Yes, there is more beyond. Physical death will not be the end of
you. The inward man still exists, either comforted or in torment
(Luke 16:19-31), awaiting the resurrection (John 5:28-29; 1
Corinthians 15:20-22), the judgment (Matthew 25:31-32; 2 Corinthians
5:10; Romans 14:10-12), and eternity (Matthew 25:34, 41, 46). God is
very much concerned, and you should be equally concerned about the
salvation of your soul or spirit (1 Corinthians 5:5; Hebrews 10:39;
James 1:21; 5:19-20). He wishes none to perish (2 Peter 3:9); He
would have all to be saved (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Be saved; be
faithful; be ready.
-- Via Roanridge Reader, 2/12/18, Volume 33, Issue 06, Page 03
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-2-
What about Mormonism?
Derrick Dean
Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith who claims to have received
revelations from God in the 1800s. Mormons, or the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints, insist they are part of the Christian
orthodoxy (mainstream Christian churches that share the same
foundational doctrines). Others disagree because the "revelations"
of Joseph Smith, recorded in the Book of Mormon, are highly suspect.
This book claims to reveal the history of ancient civilizations in
America that had Hebrew and Christian beliefs.
No ancient copies of this book exist. No persons, places, or nations
it lists have been found. There is absolutely zero historical or
archaeological evidence to support Smith's writings and there have
been 3,913 changes in the book since its first printing. Smith, who
claimed to be a prophet of God, made 64 specific prophecies. Only
six were correct. Some of his prophecies included Jesus would return
to earth by 1890 and the moon would be found to be inhabited by
six-foot tall people. Should not a true "prophet of God" be 100%
correct? In fact, Deuteronomy 18:21-22 provides that very test: If
what the prophet says does not come to pass, he is not a prophet.
Sounds like common sense.
Perhaps we should remember the biblical mandate "Test everything.
Hold on to the good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). We are also warned
about being taken in by deceitful teachings (I John 4: 1), human
traditions (Colossians 2:8; Isaiah 29:13), emotions (Proverbs 28:26)
and believing in myths (I Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Titus 1:
14).
— Via The Beacon (the bulletin of the Collegevue church of Christ),
July 15, 2018
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-3-
News & Notes
Let us continue to remember in prayer Danny Hutcheson (Anita
Young’s cousin) whose massive brain bleed, which also put him in a
coma for more than a week, has left him paralyzed except for one
arm.
Rick Cuthbertson will be undergoing treatment over the next
few months, as a precautionary measure, following his recent cancer
surgery that involved the removal of part of his liver.
We are glad that Olivia McCarthy is now over her sickness.
Due to waiting on the ok for my hernia surgery from my cardiologist,
the scheduled date for July 26 had been cancelled. I (Tom
Edwards) am now hoping to have the surgery will be having
inguinal hernia surgery this Thursday (7/26) and will appreciate
your prayers. (This was postponed, due to their waiting on my
cardiologist's approval.)
Let us also remember in prayer Jordyn Mackey (who had a
series of seizures), Shirley Davis (who has swelling,
cellulitis, and pain in her legs — though improving —and pain in her
shoulder), Bentley O’Berry (who had a seizure), Bennie
Medlock (who has an aortic aneurysm), Charles Crosby
(healing from a knee implant), Michael Crawford
(heart trouble), Ginger Head (spot on lung), and Marie
Maymoldi (expecting).
Others to also pray for: Jim Lively, Deborah Medlock, Pat
& A.J. Joyner, Danny Bartlett, Rex & Frankie Hadley, Tommy
Lindsey, Rhyan Thomas, Hannah Laughlin, Misty Thornton, Belinda
Medlock, Michelle Rittenhouse, and Mary Vandevander.
WordPress Version of this bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/the-gospel-observer-july-22-2018/
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal
Salvation
1) Hear the
gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John
20:30-31).
2) Believe in
the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of
sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in
Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in
water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38;
22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living
for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb.
10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 a.m.
(Bible class); 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (worship)
Tuesday: 2 p.m.
(Ladies' Bible class)
Wednesday: 7
p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom
Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com (Gospel
Observer website with pictures in WordPress)
http://thomastedwards.com/go
(Older version of Gospel Observer website without
pictures, but back to March 1990)
http://tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org/
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)