Category: Uncategorized (Page 1 of 55)

The Gospel Observer

January 18, 2026 / Tom Edwards

“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 Best Gift You Can Give to God (Jon W. Quinn)
2) We Need More Men like Joseph (Bryan Gibson)

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The Best Gift You Can Give to God

Jon W. Quinn

“For I testify that according to their ability and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:3-5). Paul here describes the brethren in Macedonia as giving themselves first of all “to the Lord.” To bring the point home, we each must ask ourselves how much we are willing to give to the Lord. Will this gift be our first priority, as it was theirs?

How much are we to give to Jesus? There are at least two occasions where Jesus taught that God does not desire any sacrifice at all! You’d better read that again! Yes. That’s what I said. What’s up with that?

The two times Jesus said this are found in Matthew 9:9-13 and 12:1-7. They have to do with proper motive. God does not desire sacrifices offered from those who are doing so in a boastful, prideful way, lacking compassion and good will. Or, we could say God does not desire our worship if it is lacking spirit and truth (John 4:23,24) or if our hearts are far from Him (Matthew 15:8,9).

The Greek word translated into our English word “sacrifice” means “offering” or “gift.” Under the Old Testament Law, there were three main types of sacrifices, or gifts, made to God. There were (1) sin offerings offered for atonement, (2) thank offerings offered in gratitude for blessings and (3) consecratory offerings offered as a part of a sanctification or dedication process, such as when the newly built temple was dedicated.

Under the New Testament today, we can divide the sacrifices of our covenant into these same three categories. Our (1) sin offering for our atonement has been offered by Jesus on the cross (Matthew 26:26-28; Hebrews 9:23), (2) Our daily discipleship becomes our consecratory offering as we dedicate our daily lives to God’s glory and service (Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1,2) and (3) our praise becomes our thank offering by which we express out heartfelt gratitude unto God (Hebrews 13:15; Ephesians 5:19,20).

God, in some instances, does not want sacrifice to be offered. We saw that Jesus said that God does not want a sacrifice from someone without compassion. He said first go and learn compassion. Under what other circumstances can our gifts to God be rejected today?

Willfully continuing in sin will cause our service to be rejected by God (Hebrews 10:26). Or having no love for God or others (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). To give that which is without cost – we only give that which we know we will not miss (2 Samuel 24:24).

Jesus is our example. Think about what Jesus gave for us. Already, He has given far more for us that we could give for Him. He emptied Himself by looking out for our needs. He became a humble servant. He gave His life (John 3:16; Hebrews 2:14-18). He paid the price for our redemption that we could never hope to pay for ourselves. He paid the price; not in dollars and cents; not in silver and gold, but with His own innocent blood (1 Peter 1:18-21).

Now, what shall we give to God? We will give ourselves to Him. We will live by faith. We will do His will. We will never give up. We will teach His gospel. We will not be ashamed. We will cast down our pride. We will make no excuses. We will enjoy the peace of God. We will be secure in our hope. We will one day live with Him. We will never stop giving to the One who has never stopped giving to us. We give ourselves. “It’s the gift that just keeps on giving.”

— via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, December 2025

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We Need More Men like Joseph

Bryan Gibson

The life story of Joseph is told in Genesis 37-50. Read it and you will be filled with admiration for this great man. To help us better understand his nearly impeccable character, let’s look at three things he handled very well.

He handled responsibility very well.

Not long after Joseph arrived in Egypt, Potiphar bought him from the Ishmaelites. Joseph served so well in Potiphar’s house that Potiphar made him the overseer of his house. How well did Joseph handle this responsibility? So well that Potiphar “left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate” (Genesis 39:6).

Later, when Joseph was imprisoned, he was given another job. “The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison” (Genesis 39:22). Again, Joseph showed himself to be dependable, because the “keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority” (Genesis 39:23).

Joseph was later released from prison when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, and it was then that he was given his most demanding job. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he said, “You shall be ruler over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” (Genesis 41:40). Pharaoh trusted Joseph to such a degree that when famine struck the land, he told the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do” (Genesis 41:55).

Wouldn’t it be great if we all handled responsibility as well as Joseph did? When given a task—any task—we should be trusted to do the job well and do it right.

He handled temptation very well.

While Joseph was serving in Potiphar’s house, Potiphar’s wife “cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, lie with me” (Genesis 39:7). Joseph was very firm in his refusal, and among other things said to her, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” Potiphar’s wife did not give up easily. She continued to make advances toward him and one day even grabbed him by his garment, pleading with him to lie with her. What did Joseph do? “He fled and ran outside” (Genesis 39:12).

What a great example! We can resist temptations, no matter how strong they may be. God provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Joseph found his, and so can we.

He handled adversity very well.

Joseph’s life was sort of like a roller coaster, a lot of ups and downs. He rose to the second highest position in all of Egypt, but look at what he went through before that. He was sold as a slave by his own brothers, and he spent two years in prison. What is admirable about Joseph, though, is that during these bad times, he showed no bitterness and he maintained his faith in God (see Genesis 39; 40:7-8; 41:15-16; 45:5-8; 50:15-21). He was just as faithful to God during the bad times as he was during the good times. Adversity presents a big test to our faith and character. Joseph passed his with flying colors—what about us?

— Via Articles from the Prattmont church of Christ, October 19, 2015
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1 Peter 2:20

“For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God” (NASB).

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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.)

The Gospel Observer

January 11, 2026 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) What God Wants From Us (Jerid Gunter)

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What God Wants From Us

Jerid Gunter

To Do Justice

Last week we considered what God would want from us and specifically looked at the words of the prophet Micah in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” To be clear, this is more than a want or a “wish list” from God. These are requirements. While the word “require” may seem overbearing to some, we may need to be reminded of our position in comparison to God. I don’t typically refer to the New International Version Bible, but the word used in place of “man” is “mortal.” If nothing else, remember we’re mortal beings in the presence of the immortal God.

So, what about those requirements? The first one mentioned is “to do justice.” How exactly does one do justice? Does it mean we take the law into our own hands and serve as judge, jury, and executioner for matters pertaining to our life? Not hardly. Remember the context: Micah is focused on the people of Judah and their attitude. Looking earlier in the text (i.e. Micah 2:1, 2, 8), we can see they were unjust and evil. Clearly, God wants the opposite – both then and now! God want’s our mode of operation to be focused on always doing what’s right. Sounds like a no brainer, but let’s think about the challenge of this expectation through the eyes of a challenged biblical character: Joseph

Joseph’s story begins in Genesis 37 and he was the favorite son of Jacob (aka Israel). He had some big, interesting dreams too. Being the favorite and such a dreamer led his brothers to hate him – so much so that they sold him into slavery and portrayed him as dead to their father. Joseph wound up in Egypt and became a servant of Potiphar, “the captain of the guard” under Pharaoh’s reign (Genesis 39:1). Potiphar trusted Joseph so much, he put him in charge of his estate (39:6).

It’s quite a comeback story, and it’d be easy for Joseph to become quite arrogant of his success. He essentially had everything he could desire at his fingertips, including Potiphar’s wife, as she was throwing herself at him. With the house empty (39:11), who would know if Joseph took Mrs. Potiphar’s offer? Instead, Joseph chose “to do justice.” Look at Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife in 39:8-9, “But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?’” Even after this response, she persisted and he resisted…and then ended up in prison due to her slanderous lies. While he was unjustly treated, he chose to act justly. He stood for what was morally right, regardless of consequence.

If that weren’t enough, Joseph rose to even greater prominence becoming second in command behind Pharaoh. A famine arose and he had a prime opportunity to execute revenge on his unknowing brothers as they came to Egypt desperate for food (Genesis 42-46). Yet again, Joseph chose to look past the heartache and temptation of revenge and he did justice. In other words, he did what God wanted. Let’s be sure to give God what He wants as well.

To Love Kindness

How’s the list coming? No, not your Santa shopping list…the one we’ve been talking about the past couple weeks: God’s expectations from us. Last week we specifically looked at doing “justice” – to do what’s right at all times in all circumstances. So without further delay, let’s look at our key verse again and learn the next expectation:

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

“To love kindness.” In other Bible translations you may read the phrase “to love mercy” instead. Whether you prefer the word kindness or mercy, it’s safe to say they’re quite relatable to one another and go hand-in-hand with God’s first requirement of always doing what’s right. With loving kindness/mercy, we can see the idea of desiring not only to do what’s right in our own actions, but also extend that righteous attitude in how we respond to others in life.

It’s no secret that we all struggle with doing what’s right all the time, but we have to remember that fact when others don’t do right by us. In fact, in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount He commanded, “…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:44-45). In this passage alone, we see a couple reasons to love kindness. First of all, we see that God Himself is kind and merciful by sending rain on both the just and the unjust – He provides good things for all. Secondly, our task is to love even those who are seemingly unlovable and unjust as it could be what allows or prevents us from being considered children of God.

Undoubtedly, the greatest example of loving kindness/mercy is displayed in Christ going to the cross. There’s no way I could sum it up any better than what Paul wrote in Romans 5:6–8: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

When Jesus spoke about loving your enemies, He was speaking about you and me. He continues to love us, even when we have been the ungodly. While that’s been the case, His love, kindness, and mercy shine through in providing Christ as the ultimate sacrifice. What God wants in return is what He’s already exemplified to perfection.

Walk Humbly With Him

It’s easy to live a life focused on what we want, but to live life in a God-pleasing way, we must consider what God’s desires are first and foremost – and then fulfill them! Over the past few weeks we’ve been focusing on Micah 6:8 and addressing God’s requirements to “do justice” (always doing what’s right), and to “love kindness (or mercy).” The third and final point in Micah’s list is “to walk humbly with your God.”

Where does one even begin with such an amazing thought? The idea of walking with God should be humbling in itself! It’s one thing to be “star-struck” over a celebrity, but there would be nothing more incredible (and humbling) than having the opportunity to walk side-by-side with the Creator of the universe! While we have every desire to be in His presence in eternity, in essence, Micah is telling us we can walk alongside Him now in this life. God will be present in our life if we submit ourselves in obedience to Him!

Perhaps the best way to explain how to “walk humbly with your God” is to look at a man in Scripture who was described as doing so himself. In Genesis 6:9 we read that, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” When we see the word “blameless,” we may assume it means “sinless.” Based on what Paul wrote in Romans 3, we know there’s no man (aside from Jesus) who fits that description. Instead, another word that is rendered from the same Hebrew word for “blameless” is “integrity,” and perhaps that’s an easier word to run with here. Noah had integrity – he “did justice” – when the rest of the world did not. So by comparison, Noah was “blameless” and he “walked with God.”

If we’re to believe the apostle Peter (and I do!), it would be safe to say that Noah “loved kindness” as well. Peter referred to Noah as, “a herald of righteousness” in 2 Peter 2:5, and in 1 Peter 3:20 he reported that, “God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared…” When we put those two thoughts together, I believe it’s clear that Noah wasn’t just building a big boat for himself and his family. For Noah to be a “herald,” it means that he was a messenger. Noah was displaying his faith and submission not only in actively building the ark, but verbally warning people of the coming flood due to the world’s sinfulness. That’s integrity (doing justice). That’s being merciful (loving kindness). That’s submission (walking humbly with God).

Finally, we need to point out the personal aspect of this. Micah didn’t just say “walk humbly with God.” That’s amazing enough. What Micah said was to “walk humbly with YOUR God.” While Micah was speaking to Judah at the time, his words still ring true today: God can be YOUR God too. If we truly care for what God requires of His creation – doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with Him, He will recognize us as His because we will be resembling His precious Son (Philippians 2:5-8). May we all give God what He so richly deserves!

— Via Articles from the Beaver Dam church of Christ, originally posted in 3 parts: December 11,18, 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 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.)

The Gospel Observer

January 4, 2026 / Tom Edwards

“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 Sinner’s Prayer and the Gospel Response: A Biblical Examination (David Cambridge)
2) Joyful Worship (Psalm 100:1-2) (Mike Johnson)

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The Sinner’s Prayer and the Gospel Response:
A Biblical Examination

David Cambridge

Introduction

Among the most familiar phrases in modern religious culture is the call to “pray the sinner’s prayer.” It appears in sermons, on television broadcasts, in children’s classes, in pamphlets, and on social media. Many repeat it without ever asking where it came from or what scripture actually teaches about becoming a Christian. For some people, the phrase carries deep emotional weight; for others, it is a slogan used so routinely that it is seldom examined.

This article aims to slow the conversation down. Instead of repeating, “The sinner’s prayer is not in the Bible,” we will take time to understand who uses the phrase, why it became common, how people attempt to defend it scripturally, and why those defences do not match the New Testament pattern. Then we will turn to the actual biblical response to the gospel, and close with a gracious appeal to let scripture shape both our language and our practice.

Who Uses The Sinner’s Prayer Today?

The sinner’s prayer is not a fringe idea. It is deeply woven into modern denominational life. For more than a century, it has been one of the dominant methods used in efforts to bring people to Christ.

It is extremely common among Baptists, especially in evangelistic gatherings where the moment of salvation is often associated with repeating the prayer aloud. Many Methodist groups use it today, though historically they emphasised heartfelt repentance more than a formula. Pentecostal and Charismatic groups frequently include it at the end of sermons, often as part of an altar call. Word of Faith teachers, with their emphasis on spoken confessions, encourage people to “pray to receive Jesus” at the end of nearly every broadcast. Even many non-denominational congregations use pre-written salvation prayers as part of their outreach efforts.

At the same time, many sincere people within these groups realise the prayer is not found in scripture. They often say, “It is simply a way of expressing faith.” Yet in practice, it becomes the decisive act on which salvation is said to rest. This is why the issue matters. A man-made expression has quietly replaced the biblical response that God Himself revealed.

From Where Did The Sinner’s Prayer Come?

The idea did not come from the apostles, the early church, or the New Testament. It arose from nineteenth-century revivalism. As large crowds gathered to hear preaching, leaders developed simple ways of helping anxious hearers make a decision.

First came the “anxious bench,” where people were urged to come forward. Later came the formal “altar call.” Eventually, a short, repeat-after-me prayer was added to help people express what they believed. Over time, this convenience became a doctrine.

What began as a method became a message. What began as a tool became a theology.

That shift is why the subject deserves careful examination.

How Do People Defend The Sinner’s Prayer From Scripture?

Although there is no example of anyone in the New Testament being saved by saying such a prayer, those who defend it usually appeal to three passages. These are the “strongest” arguments used, even though each depends on ignoring the surrounding context.

1. Romans 10:9–13 — “Confess With Thy Mouth”

The argument goes like this: if salvation involves confessing with the mouth and calling on the Lord, then praying a sinner’s prayer must be the way to be saved. Verse thirteen (“whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”) is used as proof that calling means praying.

But Paul is not describing a prayer formula. He is describing the outward expression of a faith already shaped by hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17). When the same phrase appears in Acts 2:21, Peter immediately shows what “calling on the Lord” looks like — repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38).

Romans 10 is not about teaching sinners how to respond initially. It is about the righteousness that comes by faith, and the universal availability of salvation. Turning it into a prayer formula removes it from its context and overrides the teaching of Acts.

2. Luke 18:13 — “God Be Merciful To Me A Sinner”

Jesus said the publican went down to his house justified. From this, some argue that the publican prayed the sinner’s prayer.

However, the publican was a Jew under the law, not an alien sinner hearing the gospel. He was not being converted into Christ; he was humbling himself before God within the covenant he already belonged to. His prayer expresses repentance, not a blueprint for salvation under the gospel. Using this passage as justification for a formula places a modern practice into a text where it simply does not belong.

3. Revelation 3:20 — “I Stand At The Door And Knock”

This verse is perhaps the most misapplied in modern evangelism. Many use it as an appeal for sinners to “invite Jesus into their heart” through prayer. The entire vocabulary of “asking Jesus in” has grown from this misreading.

But Revelation 3:20 is addressed to the church at Laodicea — Christians who had become lukewarm. Jesus is not asking unbelievers to invite Him in for the first time. He is urging His people to repent and restore fellowship.

Applying this to alien sinners ignores the audience and changes the meaning entirely.

Why These Arguments Fail

Each of the three common defences lifts a phrase out of its context and reinvents its meaning. None of them describe how a sinner becomes a Christian in the book of Acts. None of them mention a prayer, a repeated formula, or a moment of verbal invitation.

More importantly, none of them replace the clear pattern God reveals again and again when people actually come to Christ.

What The New Testament Actually Teaches About Responding To The Gospel

When we read the conversion accounts in Acts — the thousands on Pentecost, the Samaritans, the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul of Tarsus, Cornelius, Lydia, the jailer, and the Corinthians — a consistent, Spirit-revealed pattern emerges. Scripture repeatedly shows the same building blocks of response.

1. People Heard The Message.

● On Pentecost, “they that gladly received his word” were baptized (Acts 2:41).

● The Samaritans “believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 8:12).

● The jailer listened to “the word of the Lord” spoken to him and his house (Acts 16:31–32).

2. They Believed The Message.

● Many of the Samaritans “believed” and were baptized (Acts 8:12).

● The Corinthians, “hearing, believed, and were baptized” (Acts 18:8).

● The Gentiles in Cornelius’ house believed as Peter preached (Acts 10:43–48).

3. They Repented Of Sin.

● Peter commanded the crowd on Pentecost to “repent” before being baptized (Acts 2:38).

● Paul preached that all men everywhere must repent (Acts 17:30).

● The jailer washed their stripes — an immediate fruit of repentance (Acts 16:33).

4. They Confessed Christ.

● The Ethiopian eunuch said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” before baptism (Acts 8:37, KJV).

● Confession is tied to salvation (Romans 10:9–10) and appears whenever people publicly identify with Christ in Acts.

5. They Were Baptised Into Christ For The Remission Of Sins.

● About three thousand were baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38, 41).

● The Samaritans were baptized, “both men and women” (Acts 8:12).

● Paul was told, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).

● The jailer and his household were baptized the same hour of the night (Acts 16:33).

● Cornelius and his house were commanded to be baptized (Acts 10:47–48).

6. Then They Began A New Life Of Discipleship.

● The new converts “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42).

● The jailer “rejoiced, believing in God with all his house” (Acts 16:34).

● Paul “straightway preached Christ” after his conversion (Acts 9:20).

This is not a selective reading — it is the repeated, consistent pattern across every account of conversion in the inspired history of the early church. No sinner’s prayer appears. No verbal formula is ever used. Faith moves, repents, confesses, and submits to baptism, and then begins the walk of discipleship.

Not once do we find an apostle saying, “Repeat this prayer after me.”

Not once is salvation tied to the moment of uttering a prayer.

Not once is anyone told to “invite Jesus into your heart.”

When the heart is opened in Acts, it is opened by the Lord (Acts 16:14), and the response that follows is baptism (Acts 16:15).

The sinner’s prayer is absent not because God forgot to include it, but because God already revealed His own pattern — one that unites faith, repentance, confession, and baptism into the new birth.

Why The Sinner’s Prayer Is Spiritually Dangerous

If the sinner’s prayer were merely harmless, the subject would be of little concern. But it carries real dangers.

It relocates salvation to a moment God never identified.

It gives assurance based on a prayer rather than obedience.

It replaces the clear commands of the gospel with a human tradition.

It can leave people thinking they are saved when they have never obeyed from the heart (Romans 6:17–18).

Many who pray the sinner’s prayer are completely sincere. They genuinely want to please God. But sincerity cannot replace scripture. Correcting this misunderstanding is not attacking people. It is protecting them from false confidence.

A Gracious Call Back To Scripture

The purpose of this article is not to condemn those who have used the sinner’s prayer in ignorance or sincerity. The intention is simply to let the New Testament speak for itself. The gospel is powerful enough without man-made additions.

When people follow the pattern God revealed, they enter Christ the same way the first believers did — by faith that obeys, repentance that changes, confession that declares, and baptism that unites us with the death and resurrection of Christ.

Conclusion

The sinner’s prayer is deeply rooted in modern religious culture, but not in scripture. It developed through revivalist history rather than apostolic teaching. Its most common defences rely on passages taken out of context. And most importantly, it replaces the biblical pattern with a human invention.

The good news is that the gospel is clear, simple, and powerful. When we set aside traditions and return to the pages of Acts, we find a God-given pattern that leads sinners from conviction to conversion, from sin to salvation, and from death into life. The call today is the same as it was on Pentecost — to hear the message, believe it, repent, confess Christ, and be baptised into Him. Nothing more is needed, and nothing less will do.

Questions

1. What is the main reason the sinner’s prayer is considered unscriptural (Acts 2:38)?

2. Why is Luke 18:13 not an example of conversion under the gospel (Luke 18:13–14)?

3. What problem arises when Revelation 3:20 is applied to unbelievers (Revelation 3:20)?

4. What consistent pattern appears in the conversions recorded in Acts (Acts 2:37–38; 8:12; 16:30–34)?

5. Why is sincerity alone not enough in matters of salvation (Romans 10:2–3)?

— Via David Cambridge’s Facebook site, December 27, 2025

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Psalm 95:1-2

“O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (NASB).

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Joyful Worship

(Psalm 100:1-2)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 100 is thought to have been written by David and is about worship. Speculation is that the Jews used it as a call to worship and as a hymn in their public praise. From verses 1-2, we learn that joy should be associated with our worship. It admonishes, “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” Consider these two verses closer.

The first part of verse 1 says, “Make a joyful shout to the Lord,” and then it says,“Serve the Lord with gladness” (2a). The word translated “shout” (“noise” KJV) involves a “glad shout” or a “shout of triumph,” such as might be associated with battle. From this, we learn we are to worship God, not just with thought but also with joyful utterance and gladness. Many passages associate joy with worship. Ps 95:1, identifying the basis of our joy, says, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.” Psalm 27:6 reveals,“And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.” (Note also Ps. 16:11, 43:4.)

It is essential to understand that joy in the context of worship involves respectfulness. Joy and respectfulness are not mutually exclusive attitudes; a person can be joyful in worship and respectful at the same time. Psalm 2:11 shows both are necessary. It says, “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” We must understand what it means to be in God’s presence (2b). We joyfully worship God, but we also realize the seriousness of our worship.

Today, we should view worship as a happy occasion. David points out in Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” Assembling for worship is a great privilege, as we know we are worshiping a loving God who has given us the opportunity for eternal life. In Psalm 51:12, David spoke of the “joy” of his salvation.

Do we joyfully anticipate worship; do we joyfully worship God when we assemble; do others detect joy in our worship? If not, there is a problem. We should come before our Lord with joy and gladness!

— Via Seeking Things Above Above

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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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The Gospel Observer

December 28, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Anchored In What God Cannot Do (Jerry Fite)
2) A Great Benefits Package (Bryan Gibson)
3) M’Cheyne’s Daily Bible Reading Schedule

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Anchored In What God Cannot Do

Jerry Fite

To say God cannot do something seems to contradict the concept of an omnipotent or all-powerful God. Jehovah, in the face of laughing at His promising an old couple that they would have a child, challenges the doubters with, “Is anything too hard for Jehovah?” (Genesis 18:14). When the Lord’s own apostles were wondering at their failure to cast out demons, Jesus pointed to their “little faith” as the problem and said that if they had faith, even as small as a grain of mustard seed, they could miraculously remove mountains and “nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). Their abilities were tied to God through their faith in One who has the power to do all wonders.

While nothing is too hard for Jehovah, even miraculously removing mountains, or casting out demons, there are things the Scriptures point to that are impossible for God to do. These are not contradictions to destroy the fact that God is omnipotent, but instead provide for us important truths to complete the picture of God and strengthen our faith.

While God has the power to do all things, there are things that are impossible for Him to do because they contradict His character. For example, God cannot lie, for in doing so He would contradict His character of always upholding the truth. Lies characterize the Devil and form the bleak picture of darkness and confusion which has no place in God’s character (John 8:44-47; I John 1:5).

Because it is impossible for God to lie, we can be confident in His promises. Paul declares his confidence “in hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie promised before times eternal…” (Titus 1:4). The passing of time should not cause us to lose confidence in the proposition that eternal life in Heaven awaits us. Like Paul, we must focus upon God’s character of Truth. God cannot lie, so we continue to hope, knowing that the promise will be fulfilled. God promised Abraham that in him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. His promise was accompanied by an oath. The Hebrew writer refers to these two declarations as “immutable” and in which “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).

Why should we be reminded of God’s promise to bless and multiply Abraham’s seed which found ultimate fulfillment in Christ (Genesis 22:16-18, Galatians 3:15)? It is so that “we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us; which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast…” (Hebrews 6:18-19).

God “cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). His character is one of faithfulness, and to deny Himself would contradict the truth of His very being. In essence, He is telling us that He exists; therefore we should remain faithful to Him through life’s difficulties, trials, and hardships. Man can become weak, and quit “enduring” with the Lord and even “deny Him.” It is at this moment of doubt that we need to be reminded of what God cannot do so we stop drifting and rise up to serve. “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him: if we shall deny Him, He will also deny us: if we are faithless, He abideth faithful: for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:12-13).

Anchored in the knowledge of what God cannot do, we are encouraged to remain faithful, looking forward to eternal life full of anticipation and void of doubt!

— Via Glad Tidings, Vol. XXXIII, No. 41, October 8, 2023

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A Great Benefits Package

Bryan Gibson

We won’t find a better benefits package anywhere. Choose to walk in the path of righteousness, and these are just some of the benefits we will receive.

It is a pleasant path to travel. “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17). The marriage relationship, home life in general, relationships with others—these become much more pleasant when we follow His wisdom.

It’s the best thing we can do for our children. “The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!” (Proverbs 20:7). Lois and Eunice were a great blessing to Timothy, because they chose this path (2 Timothy 1:5). The same for Zacharias and Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s parents, who walked “in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). We do our children a great disservice if we choose any other path.

We won’t find better traveling companions anywhere. Traveling companions can make or break a trip, and when we travel the path of righteousness, we’ll be traveling with the finest people in the world. Think of it as a family trip, because we’ll be going with a bunch of mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers (Mark 10:28-30).

We can walk this path with complete integrity. “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9). To get where we want to go on this path, we don’t ever have to lie, or cheat, or take advantage of anyone. The fear of being “found out”— no need to worry about that on this path.

Walking along this path enables us to sleep soundly at night. “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24). We can sure sleep soundly, when it is well with our soul, when we know that if we don’t make it through the night, we’ll be in a far better place.

Walking God’s path ensures us of God’s help. “He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints” (Proverbs 2:7-8). “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Trying to make it without God’s help is not the road we want to go down.

It is a brightly lit path that grows brighter and brighter. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). It may not seem that way in the beginning, because we don’t yet see all the benefits. This path may even seem a bit restrictive; we may feel it’s “cramping our style.” But the longer we stay on it, the brighter it gets. Just ask any older Christian, who has been on this path for many years.

It is the only path that leads to eternal life, to eternal joy and gladness. “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death” (Proverbs 12:28). Isaiah describes this path as the “Highway of Holiness” (Isaiah 35:8), and says those who walk on it will “come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).

— Via Prattmont Weekly Bulletin, June 15, 2025

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M’Cheyne’s Daily Bible Reading Schedule

Robert Murray M’Cheyne lived from 1813 to 1843 and made public his Bible reading schedule in 1842. With it in one year, you will have read not only all the Bible, but also the book of Psalms twice and the New Testament twice. The reading is of 4 chapters daily (with a few exceptions for shorter chapters). And it will also have you reading from both the Old and New Testaments for each day.

A chart for it can be accessed and copied for your own use at the following web address:

https://thomastedwards.com/dailybibleread.txt

I keep a copy of it in the Topic Notes of e-Sword (a free digital Bible).

The schedule is only a text file. Here is a sample of it:

Jan 1: Gen 1; Matt 1; Ezra 1; Acts 1
Jan 2: Gen 2; Matt 2; Ezra 2; Acts 2
Jan 3: Gen 3; Matt 3; Ezra 3; Acts 3

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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The Gospel Observer

December 21, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) When the Holy Spirit Speaks: Strong Feeling–or Words? (Kyle Pope)
2) “You Have Need of Endurance” (Jesse A. Flowers)

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When the Holy Spirit Speaks:
Strong Feeling–or Words?

Kyle Pope

In our discussions with friends in the religious world, it is not uncommon to hear people claim that the Holy Spirit has led them to do or to say something. Many such people believe strongly that the Holy Spirit leads them in a direct manner, separate from the guidance found in the Bible. When questioned, in most cases, what they really mean by this is that they have felt a strong feeling within that led them to say or do something. It is always important to test all things by the standard of Scripture. On this issue, this is especially important, lest we find ourselves in the same position as the false prophets in the days of Ezekiel, “who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing” (Ezekiel 13:3).

Are there times in Scripture when the Holy Spirit spoke to Christians through a strong feeling? As a test case we can survey the accounts in the New Testament in which we are told that the Holy Spirit spoke. As a record of the early church, and a history of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church, how does it describe the Spirit’s guidance to Christians?

There are six instances in which such direct guidance is recorded. The first example relates to the preaching of Philip to the Ethiopian nobleman. When he saw this man in his chariot, Scripture tells us: “Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot’” (Acts 8:29). We notice that the Spirit’s communication to Philip was clear, concrete, and in the form of a complete sentence. A second example occurred when Peter saw the vision of the sheet lowered from heaven with animals in it. Scripture records: “While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them’” (Acts 10:19-20). Here we see two complete sentences. One sentence expresses knowledge of things beyond Peter’s senses (i.e. there were three men). The second sentence commands certain behavior. These were not just vague feelings but clear revelations and instructions.

Two examples concern the prophet Agabus. The first reveals: “And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar” (Acts 11:27-29). While this account does not reveal the specific words of the Spirit, the nature of the revelation indicates a great level of specificity. We note that the Spirit revealed to him there would be 1) “a famine”; 2) it would be “great”; and 3) it would span “throughout all the world.” The second came when Paul was returning to Jerusalem. The text records:

And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles” (Acts 21:10-12).

In this revelation there is not only a complete sentence but the command from the Spirit to the prophet to use a prop—Paul’s belt, to illustrate what would happen to him. We see this is much more than a strong motivation within the heart of Agabus. It is clear communication in words.

Two final examples both concern Paul. While in Antioch, we learn about prophets in the church in that city. Of these prophets, Scripture records: “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’” (Acts 13:2-3). Here the Spirit identifies men by name—“Barnabas and Saul.” Here the Holy Spirit commands their appointment for a specific work. These are words that were spoken, recorded, and understandable. A final example echoes what would be declared by Agabus. Paul relates: “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me” (Acts 20:22-23). Here, once again, the Spirit used clear words declaring that “chains” and “tribulations” awaited Paul. This was clearly not strong feeling; it was communication that could be recorded, written down, and clearly understood.

There is no question that the apostles were promised that the Holy Spirit would speak through them (Mark 13:11). There is also no question that the apostles were promised that the Holy Spirit would directly guide them (John 16:13). Yet, these promises were not to all believers—the means through which the Holy Spirit guides believers in general is through the word of God, the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). The pattern of Scripture is that when the Holy Spirit did speak directly to believers it was in words, “which the Holy Spirit speaks” (1 Corinthians 2:13). Any strong inclination of the heart that does not follow this pattern cannot reliably be viewed as the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 19, Issue 9 (February 26, 2017)

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“You Have Need of Endurance”

Jesse A. Flowers

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Heb. 10:35-36).

Every single Christian has need of endurance. The Greek word for endurance (hypomone) has been defined as: “Steadfastness, constancy, endurance. In the New Testament the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. Patiently and steadfastly; a patient, steadfast waiting for; a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance” (Interlinear, Blue Letter Bible).

We have need of endurance because we will all experience various hardships in this life. Those hardships may be financial, physical, emotional, mental, or even spiritual in nature. Paul exhorted Timothy, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3).

We have need of endurance because we will all experience times of weariness and discouragement. The author of Hebrews encourages his readers to consider Jesus “who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (12:3). Paul wrote to the brethren throughout Galatia: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). What shall we reap if we do not lose heart (or give up)? If we faithfully sow to the Spirit, we will reap everlasting life (Gal. 6:8).

We have need of endurance because the spiritual race to heaven is long. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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” (Heb. 12:1). This race set before us is not a sprint but a spiritual marathon. Thus, we need that steadfastness, constancy, patient enduring, sustaining, and perseverance if we are going to ultimately cross the finish line as victors.

Our Lord declared: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). So dear brother or sister, do not cast away your confidence. Why not? Because it has great reward! Each one of us has need of endurance. For after we have done the will of God, we will receive the promise of life eternal in Heaven!

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, December 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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The Gospel Observer

December 14, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) No Man is An Island (Ezra 7) (Jarrod M. Jacobs)
2) “You Are Worthy, O Lord” (Bryan Gibson)

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No Man is An Island

(Ezra 7)

Jarrod M. Jacobs

“No man is an island” is a line in a poem written by John Donne (1572-1631). It is not a Bible quote, but it expresses a Bible truth found in Romans 14:7. It is a fact that our choices affect others. What we do affects our parents, children, friends, and God Himself! In addition to this, sometimes my choices will affect strangers. Some choices I make affect those I will never meet on earth. “For none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself!” One example of Romans 14:7 is seen in the lives of Ezra and Esther.

The book of Esther fits chronologically between Ezra 6 and 7. There is almost a 60-year span between those two chapters. This was when Esther saved her people from genocide. It is fascinating to me to think about this event. The book of Esther does not mention the word “God,” yet God’s fingerprints are on every page! When Mordecai tells Esther that she needs to speak up or suffer the consequences, he is encouraging her to do something to save not only her and him but also the entire Jewish nation. Due to her heroic efforts, she made it possible for Jesus to be born (Matt. 1; Lk. 3)!

Somewhere in that number of people saved during Esther’s reign was young Ezra and his family. Did they ever meet Esther? I have not found any evidence that they knew one another. Yet, her actions saved his life and the lives of his family members. Had Esther not been in her place, things would look much differently! As Mordecai said, “enlargement and deliverance” would “arise to the Jews from another place” (Est. 4:14). No doubt, God would have made things work out for His people as well as preserve the bloodline for Christ to come to this earth. However, I wonder how differently the Old Testament would read if Ezra was not alive. Indeed, the book of Ezra changes or does not exist if Esther does not stand and protect her people. Furthermore, Nehemiah would not have called Ezra to address the people after the wall’s completion (Neh. 8), and many other things would be changed in Scripture. It boggles my mind to think about what happens if Esther does not protect her people, many of whom she never met on earth!

Her decision to have Mordecai gather the people in Shushan and have them fast and pray for three days and her resolve that “if I perish, I perish” (Est. 4:16) would grant Ezra and untold thousands the ability to glorify God in Jerusalem once more! Isn’t it amazing how God’s providence works? Isn’t it amazing to stop and consider the power in a single decision?

The decisions we make have far-reaching effects as well. Perhaps you think you are a “nobody,” and your voice is not heard. Not so! Remember mothers, as Kentucky native William Ross Wallace (1819-1881) once said, “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” We have the potential for untold good in the world if we are only conscious of our abilities and opportunities. Ephesians 5:16 teaches us to redeem the time “because the days are evil.” I believe at least part of what Paul was talking about was that we make wise use of our time and choices; for indeed, the decisions we make affect others in profound ways that we may not be able to see right away.

Did Ananias fully comprehend what he was doing when he obeyed the Lord and spoke to Saul of Tarsus in Damascus (Acts 9, 22, 26)? Did he know that his decision would result in the teaching and conversion of untold millions up to this present day? Probably not. In Ananias’ case, choosing to do something he didn’t want to do, brought God glory in ways that men have written volumes about in the last centuries!

Friend, who is your Ananias? Who can call you Ananias? Who is “Esther” to your “Ezra” and vice versa? In the early 1950s, a husband and wife in their mid-40s took an interest in a young married couple with a little boy. They spoke to them about the Lord, and in time, the husband and wife were baptized (Mk. 16:16) and added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47). These four remained friends for years. As time passed, three additional generations (in each family) became Christians. Do you imagine that in the early 1950s, these two couples who talked about the Lord were making plans for four generations into the future? I doubt it. I think they were just like us and concerned about saving their own souls! Yet, the consequences of decisions made 70 years ago are still felt today. They are felt by all who read this little article, in fact.

What decisions have you made about your soul (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; I Cor 15:58; Rev. 2:10)? Choose wisely, because just like it was in Esther and Ezra’s day, there are people you haven’t met who will be affected by what you do today!

— Via Jarrod Jacob’s Facebook site in a post for November 20, 2022

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Genesis 50:20

“Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now” (GW).

Even when his brothers cruelly sold him into slavery, Joseph still came to realize the providence of God in that. For it eventually led to much good.

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-2-

“You Are Worthy, O Lord”

Bryan Gibson

Why is God worthy of our worship and praise, our thanksgiving, our love, devotion, and adoration?

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

Because “He spoke” this vast creation into existence (Psalms 33:8-9).

Because as the song says, “He tinted skies with heavenly hue and framed the worlds with His great might.”

Because we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” just one example of His “marvelous” works (Psalms 139:14).

Because He is “holy,” and because He “lives forever and ever” (Revelation 4:8-10).

Because of the glory “due His name” (1 Chronicles 16:29).

Because “His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven” (Psalms 148:13).

Because “He is good,” and “His mercy endures forever” (2 Chronicles 7:3).

Because of His “lovingkindness” and “truth” (Psalms 138:1-2).

Because He “daily loads us with benefits” (Psalms 68:19, also Psalms 116:12).

Because “He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalms 95:6-7).

Because of His love, mercy, and grace (Ephesians 2:4-10).

Because the Lamb of God was slain for us (Revelation 5:9-12).

Because through Jesus He has delivered us from the slavery of sin (Romans 6:17).

Because we have victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Because He has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

Because of the depth of the riches of His wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33-36).

Because He alone is wise (1 Timothy 1:17).

Because He is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15).

And many, many more could be added to this already very impressive list.

— Via the Weekly Bulletin of the Prattmont church of Christ, November 9, 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.)

The Gospel Observer

December 7, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) A Badge of Discipleship (John 13:34-35) (Mike Johnson)
2) “If You Are the Son of God” (Heath Rogers)

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A Badge of Discipleship

(John 13:34-35)

Mike Johnson

In John 13:34-35, Jesus told His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

In our society today, people are often distinguished by their dress. For example, clothing worn might indicate a person works in the medical field, law enforcement, or serves in the military. People are also distinguished from one another by such things as wealth, learning, and fame. Jesus makes it clear that the distinguishing characteristic of his disciples would not be these types of things but their love for one another. Loving each other might be called their “badge” of discipleship. In the verses, Jesus taught in three ways that we must love one another. He taught it by:

1. Direct Command – He specifically commanded that they love one another. He says, “A new commandment I give to you.” If we want to practice authentic Christianity, we must love one another.

2. Example – He stated, “as I have loved you.” Jesus demonstrated love throughout His life. He loved us to the degree that He gave His life for our sins (1 Jn. 3:16). We must also practice this sincere and deep love for others.

3. Necessary Inference – He also says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples.” When non-Christians saw this great love among the early disciples, they concluded that they must be followers of Christ.

Many passages in the New Testament speak of the need to love one another. In 1 Peter 1:22, Peter told some they were to “. . . love one another fervently with a pure heart.” Paul told the Thessalonians that he did not need to write to them about brotherly love since they had been “taught by God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:9). In his introduction to 2 Thessalonians, he wrote, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” (1:3). The essentiality of love rings clear in God’s Word.

However, we do not just talk about love; our actions should reflect it. This concept is illustrated by our love for Christ, as Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jn. 14:15). Paul admonished the Corinthians to show their love by helping the needy Christians in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:24). Consider some ways we show our compassion today. We do so by:

1. Being sympathetic toward others (1 Pet. 3:8),

2. Forgiving someone who repents (2 Cor. 2:7-8),

3. Helping those in need (Gal. 6:10, Lk. 10:30-37, Jas. 2:14-16),

4. Restoring the erring (Gal. 6:1),

5. Showing kindness toward our enemies (Mt. 5:44),

6. Not taking vengeance (Rom. 12:19-21),

7. Teaching others God’s Word (Mt. 28:18-20).

Our love for others demonstrates that we have spiritual life, not just for others but also for ourselves. 1 John 3:14 assures us, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.”

How are we known? Do people know us for traits like pride, having a volatile temper, unwillingness to help others, being a busybody, or a person with whom it is difficult to get along? When people hear your name, what enters their minds? Do they think of a loving and kind person? For example, if people you work with hear that you are a Christian, are they surprised? Are you wearing God’s “badge” of discipleship?

— Via Seeking Things Above

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“If You Are the Son of God”

Heath Rogers

Jesus performed many miracles as signs to prove that He “is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). These signs provided evidence for sincere people to have faith in Jesus. However, there were times in His ministry when Jesus was challenged to perform miracles to prove that He was the Son of God. These challenges were not given by sincere truth-seekers. They were given by adversaries mocking His claim and attempting to spoil the purpose for His appearing in this world.

The first to so challenge Jesus was the devil. Our Lord had fasted forty days in the wilderness. “Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread’” (Matt. 4:3). Having taken on flesh, Jesus was subject to the pains and weakness common to mankind. It would have been easy for Jesus to meet this challenge and satisfy His hunger, but He refused.

Satan continued his attack by taking Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and saying, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone’” (v. 6). Jesus refused to tempt the Father’s care to satisfy the devil’s challenge.

At the very end of His ministry, as Jesus hung on the cross, “those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross’” (Matt. 27:39-40).

Consider the temptation this set before Jesus. He was being crucified because the Jewish leaders refused to believe He was the Christ and the Son of God (Matt. 26:63-65). He is now being challenged to vindicate Himself by coming down from the cross. The chief priests, scribes, and elders joined in mocking Him by saying, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God’” (Matt. 27:42-43). Jesus possessed the power to accept this challenge and deliver Himself from the cross. But, had He done so, what would have happened to our salvation? Refusing a challenge that many of us would have accepted to vindicate ourselves and end our suffering, Jesus remained on the cross and paid the price for our sins.

Enemies (both spiritual and physical) wanted proof that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus refused their demands, but the Father provided this proof in the Lord’s resurrection. Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4). This triumph over death and the grave was a greater sign than turning stones to bread, landing in the arms of angels, or coming down from the cross. It was an act that secured our future resurrection and eternal salvation. Today we know with certainty that Jesus is the Son of God because of the empty tomb.

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, September 2025

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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The Gospel Observer

November 30, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Premillennialism (R.J. Evans)
2) The Precious Word of God (Frank Walton)

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Premillennialism

R.J. Evans

“Pre” means “before” and “millennium” means “a period of a thousand years.” Premillennialism is simply “the doctrine that the appearance of Christ on earth will precede a millennium — one-thousand year earthly reign of Christ in Jerusalem.” There are various types of premillennialists, but generally speaking, they believe: Christ came the first time to establish an earthly kingdom, but the Jews rejected Him, so He postponed it and established the church instead; they believe Christ will return the first time to take the righteous (living and dead) with Him up to heaven for a seven year period, referred to as “the Rapture”; during this seven-year period there will be great tribulation on earth; the Lord will return with His people and restore Israel and reign on His throne in Jerusalem for one-thousand years; at the end of this period Satan will be loosed and lead a battle against Jerusalem; Satan will be defeated and cast into hell; afterwards the unrighteous dead will be raised, judged and also cast into hell, while the righteous will go to heaven.

In light of the above, our first observation concerning this doctrine is that it is the product of an overactive imagination. This doctrine originated in the early 2nd century by such men as Irenaeus. Secondly, premillennialists fail to make a distinction between what is literal and what is symbolic. Their main “proof text” is Revelation 20:1-10. But before we make some observations from that text, we must realize that there are many passages which are not written in symbolic language that do not mention nor do they allow for a thousand year reign of Christ here on earth. (Please read Jn. 5:28-29; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Thess. 1:5-10; 2 Pet. 3; 1 Cor. 15:20-26; Matt. 25:31-36). Furthermore, even Revelation 20:1-10 does not specify the following: (1) the second coming of Christ, “Rapture” or “tribulation”; (2) the reign of Christ on earth; (3) a bodily resurrection (John saw “souls” not bodies); (4) all the righteous (only those “beheaded”); (5) the throne of David; nor (6) Jerusalem or the land of Palestine.

There are two major tenets of this theory. One maintains that there remains a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. All along, these theorists believe the Jews are still the chosen people of God and their nation will be fully restored during the millennium. But the Bible does not teach such — “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). When Christ died, He “made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us . . . that He might reconcile them both to God in one body” (Eph. 2:14, 16). The “one body” is the church or kingdom (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:13, 18). Another tenet of the premillennial view is that the kingdom is yet in the future. Again, the Bible does not teach this! In the Scripture, we see that the kingdom and the church are used interchangeably. Let us note the following:

1. Jesus and John the Baptist preached that the kingdom was “at hand” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). “At hand” signified that in only a short period of time the kingdom would be established.

2. Jesus stated, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight . . . but My kingdom is not from here” (Jn. 18:36). Why would anyone be looking for an earthly kingdom when Jesus plainly said His kingdom “is not of this world”?

3. The establishment of the kingdom was foretold by the prophets. The prophecy of Daniel 2:31-45 spoke in sequence of four worldwide earthly kingdoms — Babylon, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman. And it was during “these days” — that is, in the Roman era, the last worldwide empire, the kingdom of God would be established (Dan. 2:44). During the days of the Roman Empire, the church or kingdom was established on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

4. Jesus taught that the kingdom would come while some of the people who were in His presence listening to Him speak would still be alive. See Mark 9:1. If the kingdom has not yet been established, then there are some very old people (almost 2,000 years old) still walking around somewhere on earth today.

5. Jesus promised Peter the keys to the kingdom (Matt. 16:19). Peter used those “keys” beginning on the day of Pentecost, swinging open the doors of the kingdom (the church) by making known the terms of entrance (Acts 2:38).

6. The Apostle Paul gave thanks unto the Father who “has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13). Notice he is speaking in the present tense. The same thing can be said of Hebrews 12:28.

7. While in exile on the Isle of Patmos, John spoke of himself as being “in the kingdom” (Rev. 1:9).

When the Lord returns, while never setting foot on earth, the earth and the entire universe will be destroyed (2 Pet. 3). Also, in the Bible, the second coming of Christ is referred to as “the last day,” “in that day,” or “the hour” in which He will return, raise the dead, and judge the world — leaving absolutely no room whatsoever for a thousand year period. At the second coming of Christ, He will deliver “the kingdom of God to the Father” (1 Cor. 15:24). Premillennialism is a theory of man based upon a distorted explanation of Revelation 20:1-10, and many other passages which they have perverted, misconstrued, misapplied, and taken out of context. There is no foundation for the premillennial doctrine in the Word of God!

— Via Viewpoint from the Valley Grove church of Christ, January 23, 2022

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The Precious Word Of God

Frank Walton

“The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psalm 119:72).

How valuable is God’s written Word to me? Before the printing press, copies of the Bible were made by hand. One estimate is that it would take one copyist 3 years to copy the entire Bible. If copied onto vellum (animal hide), it would take 250 sheep to make one Bible. Such would make it extremely expensive to own an entire copy of the Bible.

Do we appreciate the great sacrifices of those who brought the Word of God to us? The English scholar William Tyndale was the first to translate the English Bible directly from the Greek and Hebrew. In 1526, his New Testament was printed in Belgium by the recently invented printing press and smuggled into England and Scotland. His goal was to bypass the clergy telling the people what God’s Word means by giving each person the word of God in clear English, so each can study it for themselves. He said, “I defy the Pope, and all his laws; and if God spares my life, ere many years, I will cause the boy that driveth the plow to know more of the Scriptures than thou [a priest] dost!” He was charged with heresy, among other things, “that the traditions of men do not bind the soul.”

In 1536, the ecclesiastical authorities killed him by strangulation and his body was burned at the stake. His last words, with a loud voice, were, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”

It is estimated that about three-fourths of the 1611 King James translation by 54 scholars was drawn directly from Tyndale’s translation. In AD 200, the Bible was translated from the original Hebrew and Greek into seven languages; by 1400, 28 languages; by 1900, 537 languages; by 1980, 1,100 languages; by 2006, 2,426 languages have some portions of the Scripture. Indeed, God’s truth “is the living and abiding Word” (1 Pet. 1:23).

Someone has said, “Someone who does not read the Bible is no better off than one who cannot read.” When we read the Scriptures, we are reading the mind of God in human language. When we study the Scriptures, we can think the thoughts of God. This, when received by a heart of submissive faith, is the power of human transformation. “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psa. 19:7-8).

— Via Viewpoint from the Valley Grove church of Christ, February 6, 2022

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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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The Gospel Observer

November 23, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) The Greatness of God (Psalm 86:8-10) (Mike Johnson)

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The Greatness of God

(Psalm 86:8-10)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 86 is a prayer by David, who is experiencing hardships, although he is not very specific about their nature. However, verse 14 points out that a group of proud and violent people, who had no regard for God, were seeking his life. Yet, amid his trouble, the Psalmist approaches God in prayer with complete confidence that the Lord will be merciful and deliver him. The psalm is addressed entirely to God and has elements generally associated with prayer. They are Petition (1-7, 11, 14-17), Adoration (8-10), and Thanksgiving (12-13). Although it is a prayer, a strong element of praise runs through it.

In verses 1-7, David makes several requests of God and then gives reasons that God should fulfill them. Then, in verses 8-10, he enthusiastically praises God and His wondrous works. The verses say, “(8) Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. (9) All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. (10) For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” Consider some observations from this adoration section.

He says, “Among the gods there is none like You.” Some wrestle with this phrase because he says, “Among the gods . . .” (Note also Ex. 15:11, Ps. 89:6). They look at this wording as implying the writer’s acknowledgment of and the legitimacy of multiple gods. However, we know this is not the case because the Psalmist at the end of this section says, “You are God alone.” So here, David speaks in an accommodative way of gods (i.e., “as they might be called”).

A similar passage is in Galatians 1:6-10, where Paul marveled that the Galatians had so quickly turned away to another gospel. Then he quickly says there is not another. Thus, what they had turned to might be called a gospel, but there is only one. Further, in 1 Corinthians 1:21, Paul says we are saved “through the foolishness of the message preached.” Is the gospel message foolish? It is not! Earlier (1:18), he explains that the message is regarded as “foolishness” by those “who are perishing.” Certain ones would call gospel preaching foolish.

Consider also an event that took place during the days of Hezekiah, King of Judah, when a vast army from Assyria surrounded them (Is. 36-37). Their spokesman ridiculed Judah’s army and God. At a certain point, Hezekiah prayed to God about the situation. (It says he “spread it before the Lord.”) In Isaiah 37:18-20, he prayed, “Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands — wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.” Jeremiah 16:20 asks, “Will a man make gods for himself, which are not gods?”

David is not acknowledging the veracity of multiple gods. Idols are crafted from wood or stone; they have no power and are only material objects. David believed in only one God.

David knew that God listens and He is merciful and forgives. Furthermore, he understood that God would be there for His people in times of trouble, which is the opposite of how pagan gods are often portrayed.

He also says to God, “Nor are there any works like Your works” (8b). Claims made about the works of pagan gods cannot even compare to the works of the Lord. But, of course, the pagan gods do not even exist. Consider God’s great work of creation as Psalm 19:1 exclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.”

The Psalmist continues to praise God in verse 9. “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.” In Bible times, there would be regional and local deities whom the people served. However, God is the creator of all, so it would stand to reason that He is the God of ALL and that ALL should worship Him and glorify His name. Various passages speak of ALL coming to worship God (Ps. 72:11, 17; 82:8; Rom. 14:11; Is. 45:23).

When would this be? There were many times when idolaters acknowledged God (Dan. 2:46-47; Josh. 2:11). Also, speaking of the Messianic era and the establishment of the church, Isaiah 2:2 says, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.” Also, the gospel is for “all nations” and “every creature” (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16). Therefore, the worship of God would be pervasive among all nations.

Further, the Scriptures tell us that ultimately, at the Judgment, all will bow their knee to God. Consider Philippians 2:8-11, speaking of Jesus.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Note also Rev. 3:9; 15:4.)

In verse 10, he continues, “For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” While praying to God, recorded in Deuteronomy 3:24, Moses spoke similarly. He prayed, “O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?” At another time, while trying to encourage the people to obey God’s Law, he said (Deut.11:7),“ . . . but your eyes have seen every great act of the Lord which He did.” In that section of Deuteronomy, he speaks of some things they had explicitly seen. They saw:

1. the signs and various acts in Egypt (3);
2. the parting of the Red Sea, and then how it was closed up again on the Egyptian army (4);
3. the wondrous deeds God did for the Jews in the wilderness (5);
4. the swallowing up by the earth of the people during Korah’s rebellion (6).

Today, we can cite many examples of God’s great works. Consider a few that would immediately come to mind:

1. Creation (Ps. 19:1)
2. Coming of Christ & Salvation (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8)
3. Miracles of Christ (Jn. 20:30-31)
4. Christ’s resurrection (Lk. 24:1-8)
5. Establishment of the Church (Mt. 16:16-18)
6. Prayer (1 Pet 3:12; Jn. 15:7)
7. God’s Providential Care (Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 3:10-12: Rom. 7:19)

We are awed when we learn about God’s works from the past and witness them today. God is not one God among many, but as the text says, “You alone are God” (10).

— Via Seeking Things Above, October 2022

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Gospel Observer

November 16, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Did Moses See the Face of God? (Kyle Pope)

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Did Moses See the Face of God?

Kyle Pope

The apostle John, through the Holy Spirit wrote, “No one has seen God at anytime” (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12). The Old Testament, however, records some instances where God’s people were said to see some aspect of God. Exodus 24:10 tells us that Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders “saw the God of Israel.” Moses was even said to have had the unique honor of speaking to God “face to face” (Deut. 34:10). Did Moses actually see the face of God?

To answer this, we must first understand one of the terms that Scripture uses. The word that is translated “face” in Exodus 33:20 is the Hebrew word panim. While this word can have a specific, literal, and anatomical sense in reference to the front of a person’s head (Exod. 10:28), it can also refer to the surface of something – “the face (panim) of the earth” (Exod. 33:16), the front of something – “the forefront (panim) of the tent” (Exod. 26:9), it can mean to be before someone – “your males shall appear before (panim) the Lord GOD” (Exod. 23:17), or it can even refer to the presence of someone – “they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence (panim)” (Exod. 10:11).

When it comes to God, it is clear that panim can have these same distinct applications in different contexts. For example, while God told Moses “My face (panim) shall not be seen” (Exod.33:23), He also promised the Israelites a few verses before this “My Presence (panim) will go with you and I will give you rest” (Exod. 33:14). What we must conclude is that there is some element of the grandeur of God that cannot be witnessed by human beings, that Exod. 33:20-23 calls His “face (panim).” At the same time, we must also conclude that there is some other limited aspect of His glory that can be seen, to which the same word can sometimes apply—and most translations call His “Presence (panim).”

Let’s notice a few things that support this conclusion. In Exodus 24:10 Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders go up on the mountain. We know that Moses was allowed to go further (Exod. 24:2), but the others were to “worship from afar” (Exod. 24:1). It is from this more remote distance that it is said:

…They saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank (Exod. 24:10-11, NKJV).

Now then, if this was all we had we might conclude that they saw the full grandeur of God but were spared death, since it says God did not “lay His hand” on them. However, there is more to it. What they were allowed to see, was some aspect of what Exodus 24:16 calls “the glory of the Lord,” that came down on the mountain. Its appearance is described as “a consuming fire” (Exod. 24:17). Was this the full glory of the Lord? No. After this even, Moses begs the Lord, “Show me your glory” (Exod. 33: 18). It is in response to this that God covers Moses in the “hollow of his hand,” sets him in the “cleft of the rock” and passes before Moses (Exod. 33:19-23). It is in this context that God allows Moses to see his “back” (33:23) but declares, “You cannot see My face (panim); for no man shall see Me, and live” (Exod. 33:20). It is clear in this text that when God says “see Me” He does not mean his “back” (Exod. 33:23), nor whatever aspect of His glory that Aaron and the other saw (Exod. 24:10). What God calls His “face (panim)” in Exodus 33:20 and 33:23 must be some fuller manifestation of His glory. As noted at the beginning of our study, New Testament writers confirm this distinction. When John wrote, “No one has seen God at anytime” (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12), he is clearly talking about that fullest part of God’s glory that no one has yet seen. To see some aspect of God is not to behold the fullness of His glory. That honor belongs only to the “blessed” in heaven. Jesus promised,“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

Finally, let’s notice a couple of things that help us further clarify this. The expression “face to face” is an important phrase used in Scripture. Throughout the Old Testament it is used of the close relationship that God had to Moses (and with Israel). It is first used when Jacob wrestled with the Lord and God named him “Israel.” Jacob says, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved” (Gen 32:30). Now this can’t mean that he saw what God calls His face in Exodus 33:20 or he would be dead, and the New Testament claims that no one has seen God would be false. So, what does it mean? Jacob saw some aspect of God’s glory, but not His full “face (panim).” Even so, he was blessed with a close encounter (if you will) with Deity. As noted at the beginning, the same is said of Moses numerous times (Exod. 33:11; Num. 12:8; Deut. 5:4; 34:10), but it is also said of God’s treatment of the Israelites:

…You, LORD, are among these people; that You, LORD, are seen face to face and that Your cloud stands above them; and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night (Num. 14:14).

Now obviously the Israelites as a whole hadn’t even seen what Moses saw of God’s glory, but it is still described as knowing Him “face to face.” This makes it clear that what is being described is the closeness of the relationship between God and Israel and even more so, between God and Moses.

Another example of this is found in the book of Judges. What is called the “Angel of the Lord” appeared to Gideon (6:12) and Gideon later declared, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face” (6:22). It is often unclear in Scripture when the phrase “Angel of the Lord” is talking about an angelic being sent by God, and when it means some manifestation of God’s presence. Numbers 14:14 described Israel as seeing the Lord “face to face” but then refers to the pillar of cloud and of fire. Exodus 14:19 uses the term “Angel of God” to describe the glory of the pillar of fire. This seems to indicate that this was some manifestation of God. In the same context in which God passed before Moses, God’s “Angel” is promised to go before the Israelites in taking Canaan (Exod. 33:2). This is what allows them to be described as having a “face to face” relationship with God (Num. 14:14), and may even be called His “Presence (panim)” (Exod. 33:14). Clearly, however, this is a restricted aspect of His presence. If His full presence had come into “their midst” they would have been consumed (Exod. 33:3, 5). That consuming power probably refers to the same thing He calls His “face (panim)” elsewhere, that no one has seen, nor can see lest he die.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Issue 14.39, September 23, 2012

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Jeremiah 32:17

“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!”

— Berean Study Bible

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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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.)

The Best Gift You Can Give to God

We Need More Men like Joseph

He handled responsibility very well.

He handled temptation very well.

He handled adversity very well.

1 Peter 2:20

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

What God Wants From Us

To Do Justice

To Love Kindness

Walk Humbly With Him

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Sinner’s Prayer and the Gospel Response:A Biblical Examination

Introduction

Who Uses The Sinner’s Prayer Today?

From Where Did The Sinner’s Prayer Come?

How Do People Defend The Sinner’s Prayer From Scripture?

1. Romans 10:9–13 — “Confess With Thy Mouth”

2. Luke 18:13 — “God Be Merciful To Me A Sinner”

3. Revelation 3:20 — “I Stand At The Door And Knock”

Why These Arguments Fail

What The New Testament Actually Teaches About Responding To The Gospel

1. People Heard The Message.

2. They Believed The Message.

3. They Repented Of Sin.

4. They Confessed Christ.

5. They Were Baptised Into Christ For The Remission Of Sins.

6. Then They Began A New Life Of Discipleship.

Why The Sinner’s Prayer Is Spiritually Dangerous

A Gracious Call Back To Scripture

Conclusion

Questions

Psalm 95:1-2

Joyful Worship

(Psalm 100:1-2)

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Anchored In What God Cannot Do

A Great Benefits Package

M’Cheyne’s Daily Bible Reading Schedule

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

When the Holy Spirit Speaks:Strong Feeling–or Words?

“You Have Need of Endurance”

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

No Man is An Island

(Ezra 7)

Genesis 50:20

“You Are Worthy, O Lord”

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

A Badge of Discipleship

(John 13:34-35)

“If You Are the Son of God”

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Premillennialism

The Precious Word Of God

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Greatness of God

(Psalm 86:8-10)

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Did Moses See the Face of God?

Jeremiah 32:17

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

Archives by Month

The Sinner’s Prayer and the Gospel Response:
A Biblical Examination

When the Holy Spirit Speaks:
Strong Feeling–or Words?