HISTORY REVEALS OUR ENEMY'S IDENTITY     
     Much has been said about history.  The more common sayings center on the repeating characteristic of history.  One of my favorites is, "If we have learned one thing from history, it's that we have learned nothing from history."  This seemingly contradictory statement has been credited to former President John F. Kennedy, though I don't know if it originated with him or if he borrowed it from another source. 
     Regardless, the words are true and they serve to show us again why history has a tendency to repeat itself.  We still haven't truly learned anything from past historical events, even when those events are taken from the annuls of inspired Scripture.  Recently, a major league baseball player was suspended because of a homophobic slur.  While I believe there are better ways to address such issues, what really stands out is the deteriorating right of free speech.
     Speak out today against Christianity or God and that's okay.  Speak out against sinful lifestyles and that's not okay, it is getting to be a crime.  But such is not new.  In Acts 4:18 we read where Peter and John were ordered not to speak any more in the name of Jesus, nor were they to teach about Jesus to others.  What was their response?  Instead of shrinking back in fear they simply said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (vs. 19,20).
     Efforts continued to silence these two men as well as others who would dare to speak in the name of Jesus.  After being arrested again (chapter 5) for preaching Jesus to the people, Peter and John were brought before the council and again ordered to keep silent concerning the name of Jesus.  This time the rest of the apostles were also there.  When the fact they were ordered not to teach in Jesus' name to the people was brought to their attention they responded, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (5:29).
     Throughout history those who desire to live godly lives have been persecuted by one common enemy, Satan.  It was ultimately Satan who was behind the attacks of the Jews upon the apostles.  It is Satan is at the heart of the attacks against godliness today.  The real issue is do we as God's children believe in His power as the apostles did, or are going to allow Satan, God's enemy as well as ours, to win battles upon this earth?
     Satan has already lost the war and he knows it.  So why should we allow him to win any battle?  Remember the battle still belongs to the Lord (! Sam. 17:47; 2 Chron. 20:15).  While there are many forces seeking to do harm to our children, the ultimate enemy is Satan.  It is fallen to this generation to take the stand necessary to defeat Satan and his evil schemes.  May we learn what history keeps telling us.  As we take up the banner of our Lord may we echo the words, "We must obey God rather than men."   And to God be the glory.  Rodger

                                           WHO CAN BE BAPTIZED?
     When studying the subject of baptism, many will delve into innumerable sources available from many writers and scholars.  When coming to a conclusion on the matter it is not uncommon for one to settle on a viewpoint that seems most logical as well as one they can agree with.  Unfortunately, what they decide upon is not the written word of God.
     Most people will recognize that baptism is necessary, though they will not agree on how baptism is to be administered.  In line with that thinking it is also called into question who can be baptized.  Because of the many denominational ideas and teachings concerning baptism, sprinkling and pouring have become very popular modes of baptism, which has led to the baptizing of infants as well as adults.  When we understand that baptism is a burial as we discussed in last week's article it should become a bit clearer as to who can be baptized in accordance with God's teaching on the subject.
     Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"  (Mk. 16:16).  When the eunuch asked Philip what hindered him from being baptized Philip responded, "If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest" (Acts 8:36,37).  What the eunuch believed is that Jesus is the Son of God (vs. 37).  This and other passages relate to us that one must believe in Jesus in order to be baptized.  An infant is incapable of this.
     When Peter began to proclaim to the Jews in Jerusalem what they must do to be saved, he told them to, "repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). We are told that God desires all men to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).  To repent is to turn from one thing and go to another.  In this case it is to cease from sin and turn to God.  An infant is incapable of this.
     We are also required to confess that Jesus is Lord as well as the Son of God, and that He died for our sins (Jn. 3:16; Ro. 5:8, 10:9).  This confession must be made with the mouth (Ro. 10:10).  An infant is incapable of this.
     Infants are said to be born into sin but the Scriptures teach no such thing. It is not a sin to be born and prior to birth one cannot do good or evil (Ro. 9:11).  To be born in sin is to be born into a sinful world which is the meaning of the psalmist (51:5). Infants are born pure until such time as they grow to know and understand what sin really is.  That will come at various times in the life of each child.
     Since baptism is a burial and is essential for salvation, then one must be able to hear what the word of God says about sin, believe that word, repent of the wrongs one has committed in life, and confess a need for the saving blood of Christ which is contacted in the watery grave of baptism (Mt. 26:28; Acts 2:38; Col. 2:11,12; Ro. 6:3,4).  All of this is the result of faith which is produced in the heart of the hearer as the gospel is proclaimed (Ro. 1:16,17).  An infant cannot have this faith for it lacks the ability to comprehend these basic truths.  Since Scripture cannot contradict itself, passages that deal with whole households being saved can only mean those of a household who qualify for baptism through obedience to the gospel.
     God's truth is pure and is most precious.  May we diligently strive to uphold this truth in our lives as we share it with others.  Rodger

                                   IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT BAPTISM

    Peter wrote to his brothers and sisters in Christ that his second letter as well as his first was stirring their pure minds by way of remembrance (2 Pet. 3:1).  Simply put, the brethren needed to be reminded on some basic truths and Peter used the letters to accomplish that purpose.  Today, we still need to be reminded of the pure and simple truth of God's word to help keep our hearts and minds pure before God.
     This became increasingly evident to me through recent conversations I have had with people.  Many people hold that the Scripture is the word of God.  Yet when it comes to reading to what God has written, they most often will reject His word.  This is true in many subjects that relate to our worship, but the most common rejection of His word comes in relation to baptism.
     I am not sure why people are so adamant in their opposition to baptism, other than Satan has deceived their hearts through the teachings of men.  Jesus even chastised those of His day for, "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mt. 15:9).  In the 3rd verse of Matthew 15 Jesus asked why they transgress the commandment of God by their tradition.  Yet man does that today and doesn't seem to care.
     It was Jesus who commanded baptism take place (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15,16).  When Peter preached to the Jews on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, he told them to repent and be baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of sins in the name of Jesus Christ (vs. 38).  This is what Jesus commanded.  If one states that baptism is not essential for salvation then the word of God has been rejected.  Too many passages relate the baptismal experience to salvation (Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21). 
     It is also important to understand how baptism is to take place.  Baptism is a burial (Ro. 6:3,4; Col. 2:11,12).  When one has been sprinkled or had water poured upon the forehead no baptism has taken place.  The Greek language is a very specific language in that words will describe the action.  The word for baptism means immersion or burial.  The words for sprinkling and pouring are completely different, and neither of those words are ever used in connection with salvation.  These are simply traditions of men and nothing more.
     In the New Testament Scriptures baptism is always a burial for that is what the word implies.  Philip went down into the water with the eunuch.  If sprinkling or pouring was sufficient, Philip would not have needed to accompany the eunuch into the water but it became necessary for the burial required (Acts 8:35-39).  Anyone reading or hearing the word describing baptism would have known immediately what was being said and what action was required for salvation to be obtained. Also take note that Philip preached to the eunuch Jesus.  When preaching Jesus baptism must be addressed.  That is the gospel.
     Baptism is a burial from which we are resurrected.  Those who were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26) had this new birth in common.  Next week we will speak more as to who can be baptized.  Rodger

                                             SEEKING THE LORD
     The act of seeking is a part of every individual.  From the earliest age when we gain the ability to hunt we begin to seek after objects of value.  Watch an infant as they develop and there is that ability to hunt for their thumb or the mother's breast.  As they grow older they begin to look for other things necessary for their well being or usefulness.  The importance of the objects sought will grow as the person grows from childhood into adulthood.
     More important than seeking and finding material things is the need for God.  At some point everyone comes to understand their need for God.  The level of God's importance in the individual's life will dictate how diligently the search for God is conducted.  Many will acknowledge a need to have a relationship with God but their search is based on their own standard.  When they feel comfortable and think they have reached a level of comfort of how God is allowed to fit into their life, they stop searching.
     Ceasing from searching for anything is natural to a point.  If we are searching for an object that can be touched and handled, it is obvious the search for that object need not continue once it is found.  This is where our search for God is different.  God cannot be handled or touched (Jn. 4:24).  Yet He can be found.  So the question becomes, "How real is God to us and how diligently are we willing to search for Him?"
     The psalmist says "I sought the Lord and He heard me..(34:4).  When seeking the Lord it becomes important to understand what it really means to do so.  In Deuteronomy Israel was told, "But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul (4:29).  Then is the exhortation, "seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near (Is. 55:6).  In New Testament Scripture we read, "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:27).
     The basic meaning of all of these Scriptures as well as others tells us the meaning of seeking the Lord is to seek Him according to truth, His truth.  One Scripture quoted most often is, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness: and all these things will be added unto you" (Mt. 6:33).  When we seek His righteousness we must seek after His truth.  If we want the Lord to hear us we must seek Him according to the way He has set forth. 
     The Lord has promised those who diligently seek Him will find Him (Lu. 11:10), and upon finding Him our search must continue as we then seek to grow in our knowledge of Him, and correctly apply that new knowledge to our daily walk.  To know God is to know His truth, and that knowledge is revealed to us as we seek Him in His word.   Rodger

OVERCOMING THE SIFTING OF SATAN

     It is one thing to endure tribulations.  It is quite another to be happy about it.  Paul writes to the Romans (5:1-5) that our faith is strengthened and our hope made secure through tribulations which serve to reveal our godly character and the depth of our faith.  We exult in our tribulations for those who understand the love of God also realize the goal of our adversary.
     In Luke 22:31,32 Jesus tells Peter (Simon) Satan has demanded to sift him like wheat.  Imagine Jesus telling you that Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat.  When you sift wheat or flour there is a certain shaking action performed designed to separate the good from the bad.  In the sifting of wheat there is a removal of the chaff from the wheat.  In life Satan is looking to shake us in order to separate us from God.
     But notice that something is said to take the pain away from the sifting process.  Jesus said to Peter, "But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail" (vs. 32).  We are told that Satan prowls about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).  And yet just as Peter can take comfort in knowing that Jesus has prayed for him, so we too have this advocate and mediator who cares for us and intercedes for us (1 Tim. 2:5).
     When Jesus serves as our advocate it is a reminder that God is in control.  As Satan sought to test Job it was God who established the boundaries of the testing in that Satan could not take His life (Job 1:10-12).  So it is with us today.  Satan is going to tempt us in order to sift us as wheat in hopes of separating us from our God.  We must realize his power, though strong, is limited, and we can escape through the power of God (Ja. 4:8-10).
     Also to be noted is that Jesus spoke of Peter's turning again to help strengthen his brothers.  I believe this is telling us that Peter's sifting was his denials of Jesus, though other events could also be included in that sifting.  We know that after the third denial Peter went out and wept bitterly.  He had failed to do what he said.  He said he was ready to go to prison and to death for Jesus (Lu. 22:33), and yet did neither one.  But we also read where Peter was restored to service for Jesus, and from then on he was a powerful spokesman for God (Jn. 21:15-17; Acts 2; 15:7ff).
     What we learn from this sifting of Peter, as well as that of Job is our God is always in control.  We also learn it is possible to flee from temptation and the attacks of the devil if we seek the refuge of God for protection.  There is always going to be times in life when our faith is going to be tested or sifted.  If we truly believe God then this sifting should leave us a stronger person, knowing we can persevere and that ultimately our hope will not be disappointed.  Remember, the victory that overcomes the world is our faith (1 Jn. 5:4).  Rodger

                                                DID MOSES SEE A UNICORN?
     When reading the pages of Scripture there are those passages we come upon that raise questions in our mind.  We realize God's word is inspired and therefore, inerrant.  So when we come across particular words we begin to wonder just what the real truth is. 
     One such subject is the unicorn.  Having been somewhat jaded by the popular song of the 1960's there may be a lingering belief that unicorns used to exist, and because they didn't want to stop playing long enough for Noah to get a male and female on the ark, they became extinct.  Others believe unicorns never existed except in mythological stories and epics, and the wonderful world of make believe.
     What then do we do when we read of unicorns in Scripture?  This was brought to my attention recently in questions that were asked by inmates at the Grayson County Detention Center.  In the writings of Moses 'unicorn' appears in Numbers 23:22;24:8; and Deut. 33:17.  Before the days of Moses were the days of Job and in Job 39:9,10, we find the unicorn mentioned again.  After the days of Moses we find the unicorn mentioned in Psalm 22:21; 29:6; and 92:10.  Isaiah 34:7 also mentions the unicorn.  It must be pointed out that these passages of Scripture speak of the unicorn only in the King James Version.
     As I began to research the subject of the unicorn from the Hebrew language, the word in the Hebrew text in translated 'buffalo.'  There is a note saying 'unicorn' is from the Greek word monokeros, 'mono' meaning one and the 'keros' perhaps having reference to the horn, since that is our depiction of the unicorn.  This Greek term is found in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.  It is not found in the Greek New Testament or in the Greek lexicons used to translate from the Greek to other languages.
     Most translations will render the Hebrew term 'wild ox,' with antelope also used in places.  Another rendering of monokeros is rhinoceros.  The unicorn of Numbers 23:22 and 24:8 as well as the other passages may just be depictions of the popular thinking of the time when the Septuagint was translated (around the 3rd century B.C.) and is simply the choice of the translators.  It should also be noted that during this time of the Septuagint's being translated the Grecian Empire ruled and Greek mythology would be on the rise.  Why only the King James Version translators chose to use 'unicorn' is not clear.
     It is important to keep in mind that when you read the passages listed which make mention of the unicorn, the emphasis seems to be on the horn and its meaning is tied to the strength often associated with the horn of an animal.  With this in mind the rendering of the Hebrew term re'em as rhinoceros or wild ox is most likely the better translation.
     Concerning the question that serves as the title for this article, it is reasonable to conclude Moses, as well as David and Isaiah, did not see a unicorn.  Rodger

                                          THE WORD AND ITS WORK     
       As children of God we are given many blessings, some of which we fail to engage.  One such blessing is our time of Bible study either on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening.  These times are there to encourage us and also to help us become stronger in our faith as we learn from one another through study and discussion.
     Not one of us knows everything and through the sharing of thoughts from God's word we can learn valuable truths to help us in our understanding of God's word and its application to our lives.  I experienced this through the jail ministry and the lesson being presented by Jim Long.  He was speaking on the subject "What The Bible Demands From Us" and one passage in particular caught my attention during his presentation.
     In 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Paul records, "And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which performs its work in you who believe" (NASB).  In connection to our discussion last Lord's day concerning the Holy Spirit, I found this verse extremely helpful in my understanding of  the Spirit and the word and the role they are to fill in my life.
     The role and work of the Holy Spirit is highly misunderstood as is the role and work of the word of God.  To begin with we need to understand the Spirit cannot be separated from the Father and the Son, any more than the Father can be separated from the Son and His Spirit.  When addressing subjects such as the direct operation of the Holy Spirit one will find that many will try and get the Spirit to act apart from the Father and Son.  Jesus said this cannot be (Jn. 12:49; 14:10; 16:13).  These words are spoken to the disciples in the upper room and are not intended for the church in general, but the principle applies.  If the Spirit cannot speak on His own initiative with the disciples (apostles), He will not do it with us either.
     The fact that our bodies are to be a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) speaks of relationship and not the function of the Holy Spirit.  If the Spirit lives in us then we are living according to the truth of God's word, thus growing in knowledge and walking as faithful children of God.  This would relate to what Paul writes in Romans 8:16, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God..."  If we walk according to God's truth, the word, the Spirit lives in us.  If we are unfaithful to God in our walk, the Spirit will not remain in us, thus causing us to lose our salvation (Ro. 6:1ff; 8:12,13; Ga. 5:19-21: Acts 13:46). 
     If the Spirit is living in us then we are spiritual people, for God gives to us His Spirit upon our obedience to the gospel and becoming clothed in Christ Jesus (Acts 2:38; Ga. 3:26,27).  It is at this time that the Father adds us to the church (Acts 2:47).
If we are being prompted by the Spirit to do any good work, then that prompting is going to come through the word.  Is through the word of God we receive instruction and godly counsel, for only through the word does the Father communicate with His children (Heb. 1:1ff).  It is for this reason we are to contend earnestly for this faith, God's teaching, which has been once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).  There is no other revelation to come.
     What we learn most of all from God's words is our need to study so that we can become a workman who needs not be ashamed, but one who is approved, thus handling accurately, or rightly, the word of God (2 Tim. 2:15).  This is the work of the word but that work can only be performed by us giving ourselves to God's word and the truth it contains.  Rodger