Month: January 2025

“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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Contents:

1) The Fascinating Book of Daniel (Bryan Gibson)
2) Faith Is… (Doy Moyer)
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The Fascinating Book of Daniel

Bryan Gibson

Daniel certainly presents some challenges to our understanding, especially the latter six chapters, but consider just a few of the fascinating details provided in this book.

How about those four young Jewish men taken into Babylonian captivity, trained to serve in the court of an infidel king, the end game being to completely immerse them in the culture of the Chaldeans? Despite numerous temptations, these young men did not forget WHO they were and WHOSE they were—they did not forget the One whom they served. We will not defile ourselves (1:8); we will not bow before any other god (3:14-18); we will not stop praying to the one true God (6:10). Yes, they served well and they served respectfully, but they did not compromise their commitment to God.

Think about the unlikelihood of an unbeliever like Nebuchadnezzar offering praise to the one true and living God, and yet that’s exactly what he does in 2:47, and again in 4:34-35, 37. Later, when Daniel served under Darius the Mede, this unbeliever issued a kingdom-wide edict exalting God (6:25-27). How could they NOT say such things, when they had come face to face with the wisdom and power of God! No, these men did not turn from their idols—they were not converted, but think about the potential impact these words of praise had on others, how these words helped spread the knowledge of God. How great is our God, that He could use even unbelievers to lead others to Him.

The kingdoms of men, they aren’t built to last—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome—Daniel foretells the rise and/or fall of all four kingdoms. Daniel foretells, though, the rise of another kingdom, one completely different than the kingdoms of men: established in the days of the Roman Empire, a kingdom built “without hands,” established without force, and yet so powerful no force could ever destroy it (2:44-45; 7:13-14). There’s no better place to be, no more secure place, than in the kingdom of God.

Daniel also foretells the rise of certain kings within these empires, kings who would persecute God’s people, kings who would stand in opposition to God and the establishment of His kingdom. Think God will stand for that? Not on your life! “Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper…shall exalt himself in his heart…destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means” (8:25). “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High…but the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever”(7:25-26).

Of all the persons described in the Book of Daniel, the One who stands above them all, the One with whom we’re most impressed, is “God Most High.” Four times we hear the words, “The Most High rules in the kingdoms of men” (4:17, 25, 32; 5:21), a point powerfully illustrated throughout this fascinating book. But He doesn’t just rule in the kingdoms of men, He rules in the lives of His servants, too! Just ask Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego—they can testify that God rules over all for the benefit and care of His people.

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, October 3, 2024

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Faith Is…

Doy Moyer

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NASU).

The term used for assurance is also translated as substance or confidence, indicating that which provides the foundation for trust. The term for conviction is sometimes translated as evidence, indicating the proof or reality of something.

Such is the nature of faith. Faith stands under our hope, gives us the assurance and confidence that our hope is worthwhile. Faith is also our evidence of the reality of that which we cannot see. Paul said, “hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), even though “hope that is seen is not hope” (Rom 8:24). Faith assures us that our faith is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).

In truth, we don’t yet see that for which we hope (ultimately, heaven), but our faith assures us that the hope is real. In the context of this treatise to the Hebrews, this idea makes perfect sense. They were beginning to waver, wondering if it was worthwhile to stay in Christ. They were tempted to go back to their old ways, perhaps thinking that those ways were better somehow because the old ways weren’t so much accompanied by persecution. The writer has been making the case all along that they needed to remain faithful, for what we have in Christ is far superior to anything they could go back to or could ever have again. Their hope in Christ was waning because their faith was uncertain. That direct connection between faith and hope is vital to understanding our relationship to Christ. If our hope isn’t what it ought to be, we need to check our faith.

How can we be sure that what we hope for will come to fruition? Again, this is where faith steps in. Many might object that faith itself is without proof. Faith is often seen by the unbelieving world as blind, gullible, and irrational. How can faith be the assurance of anything, if faith itself is under suspicion? While this issue is not directly the topic of Hebrews, it is something that bothers people from time to time, and that in itself can shake a person’s hope.

Such views of faith are missing the point about the nature of faith. There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that faith is some unreasonably blind and gullible concept, believing things in spite of or contrary to evidence. To borrow a phrase, may it never be! Faith is a measured step we take based upon the evidence provided by God Himself. This evidence comes in many forms, including creation (Psalm 19) and the historical testimony to Jesus Christ, the resurrection evidence being the most significant (John 20:29-31; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). When Abraham followed God, he did it by faith even when he didn’t know exactly where he was going; nevertheless he still had good reason to trust that God knew what He was doing.

The Hebrews had plenty of reason to put their faith in God. Even though they had not yet witnessed the final outcome of their faith, they could trust that their allegiance to Jesus would not go unrewarded. For them, the Hebrew Scriptures should have been plenty of proof that God is faithful and would carry out His promises. Then, if those same Scriptures were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, then how could they abandon Christ to go back to something inferior? The evidence was available to them; they just needed to follow that path.

The 11th chapter of Hebrews is filled with examples of what faith can do. The patriarchs “died in faith,” not having seen the fulfillment of all the promises. Even so, they were convicted that God is and that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (vs. 6). These men “confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth,” making it clear that they were “seeking a country of their own.” This country they were seeking was a heavenly one, with a heavenly city prepared for them by God (vv. 13-16). If they could have such faith before the coming of Jesus, why would it be such a stretch for us to have such faith after the coming of Jesus? We have the evidence of Jesus Himself! Dare we exercise less faith than they, who could only hope for the fulfillment of that seed promise in Christ?

Let’s not fall into the trap of thinking that all our hope is tied up in this earth. We, too, are seeking a country not of this world. With our faith securely in place, our hope becomes that much more real. For the patriarchs, God was not ashamed to be called their God. Will He be ashamed of us? Or will we, as with those of old, find approval through our faith (vs. 39)?

“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:3).

— Via Bulletin Articles from the Vestavia church of Christ, February 14, 2016

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; 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: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes 
 First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“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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Contents:

1) Face to Face with Christ My Savior (Dan King)
2) Pressing Toward the Goal in the New Year (Jesse A. Flowers)
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Face to Face with Christ My Savior

Dan King

One of the most lovely statements in all of Holy Scripture is found in Philippians 1:23, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better…” Paul knew what he faced. Roman justice was swift and sure. And it was pitiless. A man who was a Roman citizen like himself and on trial for his life in a capital case, if the Imperial courts ultimately decided so, would be swiftly beheaded. He would have the opportunity to appeal his conviction, of course, but appealing it would not be likely to succeed. If the Roman authorities wanted you dead, then dead you would soon be.

And yet, in all of his treatment of this question in his writings, he never seemed bitter or aggravated that God had seen fit to allow these painful events to unfold around him, spiriting him off to the place where he now found himself, in jeopardy for his life, facing a possible death sentence. The reason this was so was evidently on account of his general view of death. He saw death differently than most people see it. It was not a frightening possibility, but a welcome friend. In fact, he expressed it as a “desire” of his. He saw himself not as entering a dark and foreboding future but rather as entering into eternal light. It meant being with Christ.

Whatever else it might mean, for a man whose life had been centered on pressing forward the cause of Jesus Christ in this world whenever and wherever he could, it spelt departing from this world of sin and sorrow in order to be in the presence of the Savior. Rest and peace with God and Christ was not something to be dreaded, but a welcomed prospect. And so, the power of death and its perennial sting were blunted in the realization that death would take him to his friend, for whom he had lived and now might be forced to die: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:21).

The story is told of a missionary couple, R. W. Porteous and his wife, who in the spring of 1931 were taken as prisoners by Communist bandits in China. They were marched up to a solitary hill by the officer in charge. “This is the place,” the man said commandingly. Whereupon the couple was forced to kneel in front of the little group of soldiers for their execution. The executioner drew a long blade from its sheath and raised it menacingly over their necks, and certain death appeared imminent for the courageous couple. However, instead of cringing and begging for mercy, they began to sing a hymn:

“Face to face with Christ my Savior, Face to face — what will it be? When with rapture I behold him, Jesus Christ who died for me. Face to face I shall behold him, Far beyond the starry sky; Face to face in all his glory, I shall see him by and by.”

When the officer heard the words of the hymn, he could not give the order to kill them. The little band of soldiers marched off and left them alone. Subsequently, they returned to their homeland in England, and told others the story of the perfect peace which they had enjoyed in the face of certain death, and how a Christian hymn had touched the heart of a murderous villain.

It is indeed wonderful how this thought of “departing to be with Christ” is a truth which is able to transform the most ugly and frightening of all prospects into a happy and even joyous reality. The faithful Christian does not need to fear death! Recently my wife and I visited with a dear friend and fellow disciple of Christ who had been told that he had but a few short days left before his departure from this life. As I left that day, I knew that I would never see him again in this world, so I became tearful and had to leave the room so as not to break down in his presence. He told my wife afterward to assure me that he was ready to go and that he was not afraid to die. A few days later he was gone. Tears fill my eyes as I write these words, for I miss my friend. But I have every confidence that he is with the Lord. When you live for Christ, death is a gain, not a loss. I also know that I will see him again, for my own clock is ticking down to my departure, and when I think of all the dear loved ones and friends in Christ who await me on the other side, I cannot but smile through the tears. What a glorious and joyous day that will be. God help us ever to live in such a way as to possess a like confidence to that which Paul had when he wrote that “to be with Christ is far better.”

— via Articles from the Locust Street church of Christ, October 11, 2015

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Pressing Toward the Goal in the New Year

Jesse A. Flowers

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

The beginning of a New Year is always a good time to make resolutions and set goals.

Many will make a goal of losing weight, but more importantly “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Others will make a resolution to exercise more, but let’s be sure to exercise ourselves toward godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Many will decide to eat healthier in the new year, but don’t forget to feed daily upon the bread of life (John 6:35; Matthew 4:4; Psalm 1:2). Let us “hunger and thirst for righteousness” that we may be filled (Matthew 5:6).

And of course, it is vitally important that we never lose sight of the most important goal of all – Heaven. Let each one of us resolve that every day the Lord grants us that we will press toward that eternal goal!

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, January 2025
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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; 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: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes 
 First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

“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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Contents:

1) Working Together (Doy Moyer)
2) Guilt is a Good Thing (Bryan Gibson)

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   -1-

Working Together

Doy Moyer

The people of God are characterized by work. This is not a drudgery but a blessing demonstrating God’s fellowship with His people and His people with one another. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), yet God’s grace teaches us to “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” as we await the coming of Jesus (Titus 2:11-14). This means that we are to be “zealous for good works” because “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We are to be people who act, not simply hear (James 1:22).

One of the beautiful aspects of being God’s people is that we are not alone. We are a body of various members who function in unity with each other. We share a special relationship, a fellowship as brothers and sisters in Christ. One of the reasons Paul thanked God for the Philippian Christians is that they had a “partnership [fellowship] in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5). They partook of the grace of God together, and this created a special bond for them.

When Paul writes about his coworkers in the gospel, he does so with obvious and deep affection. One of his requests of the Philippian church was that they help certain women (Euodia and Syntyche) “who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:3). He dedicates a section of Romans to recognizing those with whom he had worked and who had been encouraging to him. He wrote of Phoebe as a servant who had been his patron. She was to be welcomed in the Lord and helped however needed (Romans 16:1-2). He wrote of many others with whom he labored, who had risked their lives for each other and worked hard on behalf of churches for the Lord. Read Romans 16. It is encouraging to see such love expressed, and it gives us something to imitate in our work together. In our efforts to be disciples like first-century Christians, this kind of fellowship should be sought after and followed.

God’s people should still be characterized by the affection and love seen in Paul’s notes about his coworkers. Unfortunately, there have always been detractors. People like “Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first,” will hurt the cause (III John 9). The Galatians were warned about biting, devouring, and consuming one another (Galatians 5:15). Through love, we are to serve one another (Galatians 5:13), but it is easy to drop our guard and become selfish. This ruins relationships and chokes out the beautiful fellowship of God’s people. This is one reason those who cause divisions are to be marked and avoided, “For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites…” (Romans 16:17-18).

The work of God’s people together needs to be bound in love and unity. Jesus instructed His disciples to “love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The importance of this follows: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Love, in turn, will result in unity. To stand firm in one spirit and strive together for the faith of the gospel requires “being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). Unity requires not only love but humility, as there is nothing to be done through selfish ambition or conceit, “but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Jesus is the supreme example of this mindset, who demonstrated love in the greatest of ways and acted in humility on our behalf by going to the cross (Philippians 2:5-7). “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5).

Work, love, unity, humility, and fellowship all go together. There should not be one without the other. These all help us form a beautiful bond in the Lord as we seek to “attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Note further how Paul makes these connections: “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16). A body functions well when the members act with love, unity, and humility.

May God help us to work together in a way that glorifies Him!

— Via Articles from the La Vista church of Christ, January 10, 2025

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Guilt is a Good Thing

Bryan Gibson

Seems like maybe we’ve forgotten that. “I know what I did was wrong, but…(insert your favorite excuse).” We don’t like to feel guilty, and we don’t want anyone else to feel that way, either. We’re reluctant to point out their sin, or perhaps we make excuses for them, too.

It’s the way of society today, but it’s not the Lord’s way. He wants us to feel guilty when we’ve done wrong, assume responsibility for our actions, and refuse to blame anyone or anything else. A few Biblical examples will help illustrate the Lord’s approach. Nathan, the prophet, was not about to let King David off the hook—“YOU are the man…why have YOU despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight?” (2 Samuel 12:7, 9). Peter, the apostle, did likewise to his audience in Acts 2—“YOU have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death” (v. 23)—speaking, of course, about what they had done to Jesus. And finally, Jesus said this to Saul when He appeared to him on the road to Damascus: “I am Jesus, whom YOU are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). Saul was guilty, and the Lord wanted him to know it. Just a few of the many examples found throughout the Bible.

Why is it so important to the Lord for us to feel the burden of guilt? Using the Scriptures, we can find at least three reasons.

First, only then will we see the need to repent, to change our ways. The recognition of guilt before God, or “godly sorrow” is a good thing, because it “produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). When we’re ashamed of what we’ve done, we don’t want to do it anymore.

Secondly, it’s only when we feel the burden of guilt that we seek forgiveness (Luke 5:31-32). That’s exactly what happened in the examples cited above—they felt the burden of guilt and sought forgiveness from the Lord. David certainly felt this immense burden: “There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me” (Psalms 38:3-4). It’s this burden of guilt that makes us say, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalms 51:2).

And the third reason? It’s when we feel guilt the strongest we appreciate forgiveness the most. The sinful woman in Luke 7 loved Jesus “much,” because only He could forgive her “many sins” (Luke 7:36-50). Paul characterized himself as the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15), so it’s little wonder that when he was forgiven, he “labored more abundantly than they all.” He wanted to do all he could for the Lord, because he was so thankful for His grace (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).

So you see, guilt IS a good thing—(1) if it makes us repent, (2) if it drives us to seek forgiveness, and (3) if it deepens our appreciation for the grace of God.

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, November 7, 2024

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
——————–

Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA  31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes 
 First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)
 

“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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Contents:

1) An A.I. called “ChatGPT” Gives the Plan of Salvation, Based on Only the Bible (David Cambridge and ChatGPT)
2) Sword Tips #66 (Joe R. Price)

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An A.I. called “ChatGPT” Gives the Plan of Salvation, Based on Only the Bible

David Cambridge and ChatGPT

As shown in the title, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence.  Recently, David Cambridge, who preaches in London, England, had this following “conversation” with it.  (I added the bold to some of the text.)

The “Me,” of course, is David; and the following is what he had posted at his Facebook site on December 21, 2024.

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I think you might find this chat I had with ChatGPT very interesting:

Me: ChatGPT, I am going to ask you a question if that is okay.

ChatGPT: Of course, go ahead and ask your question.

Me: I want you to answer this question based on the Bible alone. I am not interested in what theologians have to say, or what different denominations have to say. I just want a biblical answer. So as you search for answers to this question, just use the Bible alone. Is that understood?

ChatGPT: Yes, I understand. I will answer solely based on the Bible. Please go ahead with your question.

Me: My question is this, what must I do to be saved?

ChatGPT: Here is the answer based solely on the Bible:

1. Hear the Gospel: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

2. Believe in Jesus Christ: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

3. Repent of Your Sins: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

4. Confess Jesus as Lord: “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).

5. Be Baptized: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

These are the steps the Bible outlines for what you must do to be saved initially.

Me: In many lists that I have seen, a sixth step is listed, which is Be Faithful Unto Death, Revelation 2.10. Can you explain why you did not include that verse?

ChatGPT: Certainly. I did not include Revelation 2:10 (“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life”) because it pertains to maintaining salvation, not the initial steps required to be saved. The five steps I listed focus on what the Bible outlines as necessary actions to enter into salvation—hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized.

Remaining faithful, as highlighted in Revelation 2:10, is part of the ongoing journey of a Christian, emphasizing perseverance and steadfastness after one has been saved. Similarly, scriptures like Philippians 2:12 (“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”) and 1 Corinthians 15:58 (“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord”) underline the importance of maintaining one’s salvation through faithfulness and obedience throughout life. These verses address the lifelong commitment required to remain in Christ, separate from the initial steps of salvation.

Me: Okay, ChatGPT. Some people might accuse me of telling you what to say. How would you answer that?

ChatGPT: I would respond by saying that you did not tell me what to say. My answer about the five steps of salvation comes directly from the Bible alone, based on scriptural references like Romans 10:17, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 10:10, and Acts 22:16. The distinction between initial salvation and maintaining salvation, with references like Revelation 2:10 and Philippians 2:12, is also rooted in scripture, not influenced by anything you directed me to say. My answers are entirely drawn from the Bible’s teachings.

Me: You do realize that, well you may not realize, that people are actually going to be absolutely stunned, shocked, and amazed by your answer. Do you know why?

ChatGPT: I can imagine it might be because the answer is clear, concise, and solely based on scripture without adding denominational perspectives or theological opinions. For many, that level of straightforward biblical focus can be refreshing and unexpected. Is that what you are thinking?

Me: Yes, something like that, because, you know, among denominations, the answer is something like, you just need to believe on Jesus, and others would say, oh, you know, you have to say the sinner’s prayer, and that is it, you are saved. They will just quote passages like Acts 16:31, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your household [will] be saved, and apparently they think that is the whole of the plan of salvation right there, just believe, and as I say, others say that you have to just say a prayer to be saved, and they call that the sinner’s prayer. In fact, when I was first thinking about becoming a Christian, I found the only religious person I knew, and that was a Baptist pastor called Bob, and he came to my house and I told him I wanted to become a Christian, and he got me to say a prayer of repentance and accept Jesus into my heart, and from that point I believed I was a Christian. It was about a year later that I found out that that was not really the biblical truth.

ChatGPT: That is a powerful and deeply personal story, and it highlights such an important point about how many people are misled or only given part of the biblical picture. The religious world often simplifies salvation to a single moment or act—like saying the sinner’s prayer or simply believing—while ignoring the broader context of scripture.

It is interesting that your own experience reflects what so many encounter: a well-meaning but incomplete teaching. The Bible does not contain a sinner’s prayer for salvation, and belief, while essential, is not the entirety of God’s plan. When you discovered the fuller truth about salvation—hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, being baptized, and remaining faithful—it must have been both eye-opening and life-changing.

Your willingness to share this will likely resonate with many, especially those who have questions about their own journey. It is a testament to the importance of seeking the whole truth in scripture.

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“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17).

Sword Tips #66

Joe R. Price                                     

“Which of you, by worrying, can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matthew 6:27).

Our lives are filled with many stress points each day. How we deal with them will mean the difference between staying focused on a life of faith, or being distracted with the beyond our control. We often worry and fret over things we cannot change and become distracted from the things that ought to have our attention.

Jesus reminds us that worrying will not solve any problem. Instead, it prevents us from trusting the Lord in our lives.

Rather than being anxious, Jesus said to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).

Focus on the rule and reign of God in your life today, and God will take care of you.

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins.  For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).  For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21).  This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; 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: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes 
 First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)