------------
The
Gospel Observer
--------------------
July 14, 2019
--------------------
"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).
--------------------
Contents:
1) The Apostles Judging on Thrones
2) We Must Obey the Truth (J.F. Dancer)
3) News & Notes
--------------------
The Apostles Judging on Thrones
Frank Himmel
One of our readers asked about Jesus’ promise to the apostles in
Matthew 19:28: “And Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, that
you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man
will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Understanding this
promise hinges on the answer to several questions.
What is the Regeneration?
The word itself means a rebirth or a renewal. The specific term
occurs only here and in Titus 3:5 in the phrase washing of
regeneration, a reference to baptism. When we are baptized into
Christ we are raised to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4),
hence we are “born again” (John 3:3). Being a new creation (2
Corinthians 5:17) and putting on the new self (Ephesians 4:24) are
parallel ideas.
Jesus identifies it as the time when the Son of Man “will sit on His
glorious throne.” That same phrase in Matthew 25:31 is a reference
to the final judgment, leading millennialists to see our text as a
reference to an earthly kingdom yet to be established. But the Bible
plainly affirms that Jesus is already on the throne (Revelation
3:21) and His kingdom is a present reality (Colossians 1:13-14).
Luke records a parallel promise about the apostles sitting on
thrones and judging (22:28-30), connected with eating and drinking
with Him in His kingdom. While it is true that the word kingdom is
sometimes used in a future eternal sense, these references are
certainly capable of a much more immediate application.
In our text, the rich young ruler had just departed, unwilling to
give up his possessions to follow Jesus. Jesus pointed out to the
apostles that it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God
(vv. 23-24). The apostles, who had left all to follow Jesus, asked,
“What will there be for us?” Jesus’ answer included not only them
(v. 28) but all (v. 29). They would sit on thrones, and all would
receive many times as much “in this present age” (Mark 10:30) as
they had given up . .. And then eternal life in the age to come.
Thus, the regeneration is the gospel era. Those who are dead in sin
come to life in Christ, who now reigns. “The eternal kingdom” (2
Peter 1:11) is the culmination of this era, when Jesus hands over
the kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24).
How Do The Apostles Judge?
Judgement is based on Jesus’ words (John 12:48), the message the
Father gave Him to speak (v. 49). It was the apostles’ work to
preach that word to the whole world (Mark 16:15), completing, by
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the divine revelation that Jesus
began (John 16:13-15). Thus, they are said to be the foundation of
God’s house, Jesus being the corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). Jesus
previously told these “judges,” “Truly I say to you, whatever you
bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you
loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18).
In view of these references to the apostles’ authority, it is a
serious mistake to take the popular approach that denigrates what
they said and sees only what Jesus said personally as binding on us.
All saints in some sense judge the world (1 Corinthians 6:2). Just
as Noah by his faithful obedience condemned the ungodly world of his
day (Hebrews 11:6), faithful Christians stand, both now and in the
judgment, as a testimony against those who choose to reject the
gospel. The apostles certainly lead in that role as well.
Who Are the Twelve Tribes of Israel?
The apostles first preached to literal Israel. On the day of
Pentecost Peter began, “Men of Israel, listen to these words . . .”
(Acts 2:22); and he concluded, “Therefore let all the house of
Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and
Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified” (v. 36). Literal Israel is
clearly judged by the apostles’ word, however. . .
The gospel is for the whole world. The apostles’ message convicts
all of sin, condemns all who remain in it, and offers regeneration
to any who will come to Christ. Nationality is no advantage or
disadvantage.
Thus, true “Israel” is those who follow Jesus (see 8:11-12; 21:43;
cf. Romans 2:28-29). As the apostle Paul wrote, “For neither is
circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And
those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and
upon the Israel
of God” (Galatians 6:15-16).
-- Via Pathlights, July 7, 2019
--------------------
-2-
We Must Obey Truth
J.F. Dancer
Truth is something that we cannot ignore and successfully escape. It
is something we must search out — understand — obey — uphold. It is
something that is worth losing all to find and yet, it is something
that we have a tendency to let slip by as we busily engage in the
time consuming work of ”making a living.”
Jesus told Pilate that he came to the world to bear witness unto the
truth (John 18:37). He had earlier identified “truth” as being the
word of the Father (John 17:17). There are things that are “truth”
in many areas, but the truth of which I speak is that regarding
man’s spiritual being, well-being and destiny. One of the tests of
true discipleship to the Lord Jesus Christ is one’s knowledge and
continuing in truth (John 8:31-32). Yet some men say that truth is
unattainable and that there is no such thing as TRUTH. Could be we
are trying to justify our refusal to search out truth and stand for
it.
What is your attitude toward religious truth? How hard are you
seeking to find it? How firmly do you stand in the defense of it?
How earnestly do you oppose all that opposes truth? In 2
Thessalonians 2:10-12 Paul speaks of those who do not believe the
truth and who do not love it. He points out that God will thus send
them a strong delusion and that they will be damned because of this!
They didn’t love it — They didn’t believe it!
In Romans 2:8 Paul points out that God will punish those who do not
obey truth. This same thing is taught in Galatians 2:14 and 5:7.
Thus the importance of knowing truth and obeying the same cannot be
over emphasized. God would have all men to come to a know-ledge of
the truth (1 Timothy 2:1) and be saved. Souls are purified when men
obey truth (1 Peter 1:22). We should clearly see the need to search
out, understand, obey, and uphold God’s word (TRUTH) in all things.
Are you doing that?
— The Beacon, 7/7/19
--------------------
-3-
News & Notes
Folks with ailments and health issues to continue praying
for:
Ronnie & Melotine Davis, Shirley Davis, A.J. & Pat Joyner,
Jim Lively, Bud Montero, Rick Cuthbertson, Deborah Medlock, Mary
Vandevander, Nancy Pinckard, Mary Martin, Waylon Murray, Michelle
Rittenhouse, John Stoval, Amris Bedford, Danny Hutcheson, Rex &
Frankie Hadley, and Roger Montgomery
WordPress Version of this bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/the-gospel-observer-july-14-2019/
--------------------
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).
--------------------
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)
Wednesday: 7 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
https://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)