Riverside Ripples
Issue 450
October/November 2011
Beebe’s Musings
S ince we are a verse by verse fellowship, we thought it fitting to lead with a one verse study on Romans 7:25, courtesy of Gilbert Beebe, 1832-1881. Beebe was a Primitive Baptist. ‘Primitive’ as in ‘unique’ which their doctrines were so considered. They believed (and still do) in election which is enough right there to single them out.
They also have a unique system of finding a pastor. Pastors (called elders) are chosen by individual congregations from among men in the fellowship. Those that are promising speak for one to five years to determine if they have the gift of preaching. They are expected to be self educated in the Word of God, and to depend on the Holy Spirit to further their wisdom and understanding.
They use this system instead of seminaries because New Testament elders were primarily self-educated in the scriptures and learned under the direction of the Holy Spirit. This system makes the scriptures themselves the curriculum. (They don’t have a high opinion of the results of a seminary education: to whit, this “system is less vulnerable to the widespread propagation of error so commonly found when numerous ministers are trained under the same teachings of heretical academicians.” Cf. PrimitveBaptist.org.)
Their pastors learn where they teach, and the fellowship’s members are expected to exercise similar discipline in learning God’s Word. (Maybe Art the Aged is more primitive than he looks. This all sounds veeery familiar.) Onward to Elder Beebe and Romans 7:25.
“So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
If Paul had in him these two opposite principles, and both so identified with his person that with the one he himself served the law of God, and with the other at the same time he himself served the law of sin, was he like all other Christians in these respects? Have all Christians in them a mind with which they themselves serve the law of God, or can any man be a Christian who has not such a mind? And have all Christians, like Paul, a principle or law in their members which is at war with this law of sin? Or is the flesh of some Christians so purified by regeneration that they are unlike Paul, and have no wicked propensities in their flesh whereby they serve the law of sin?
If all Christians are like Paul in these particulars, and likewise serve the law of their God with the mind, and with the flesh serve the law of sin, are both of these opposites born of God; Or is that flesh in them which wars against the Spirit, only born of the flesh: or has it been born over again and made holy by a spiritual birth? And if it has, why does the apostle admonish Christians to crucify it with its affections and lusts, and how can the Christian with it himself still serve the law of sin? If in our flesh there dwells no good thing, and in that which is born of the Spirit there dwells no evil thing, if that which is born of God cannot commit sin, because his seed abideth in him, and he or it cannot sin because he is born of God, is it heretical or wicked for a Christian to believe that all the corruptions within him are born of the flesh, and none of them are born of God, and that all that is pure and holy within him, is born of God, and no part of it is born of the flesh?
Of this mind with which the Christian himself serves the law of God, the apostle says, “We have the mind of Christ,” and another mind, or law, which he saw in his flesh he calls a carnal mind, which signifies a fleshly mind. With the mind of Christ he serves the law of God; but the carnal (or fleshly) mind is enmity against God, it is not subject to the law of God, and with the other we serve the law of God. Are both of these minds born of God, or is that mind which cannot be subject to the law of God, born of the flesh? The carnal mind is enmity against God, while the law requires love to God, and love to our neighbor, and on these hang all the law and the prophets. Is that fleshly mind which cannot obey the law of love, born of God? Or is that mind which can and does love God, with all the heart, might and strength, born of that flesh in which there is no good thing?
We think all Christians will unite in the conclusion that all within them that is carnal, earthly, depraved and vile, is born of the flesh, and will continue to annoy them until they shall be by death delivered from these bonds of corruption, until this earthly house or mortal tabernacle shall be taken down, dissolved and fall, and that our mortal bodies will not be animated with immortal life until God shall change them and fashion them like the glorious body of their risen Redeemer, and that change will not come until the resurrection, when if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in us, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken their mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in them. Then, and not until then, shall they be satisfied: when they awake in his likeness.
Strip the subject of all vain speculations, and all futile attempts to analyze the natural soul, body, or spirit of man, in trying to make out what we possess that is born of earth, or born from above, and it will be easy for every heaven-born child to perceive that all that we possess as identified with our persons in our present state that is born of God, bears the image of the heavenly, and all within us that does not bear the heavenly image is born of the flesh, and not of the Spirit.
With a clear understanding of their complex character, as now in an earthly body which clings to the earth, and lusts after the things of the earth, and wars against the spirit of their mind, and makes them groan, being burdened, and also clearly understanding that they also are the happy recipients through grace, of eternal, or immortal life, that Christ is formed in them the hope of glory, that God has revealed his Son in them, that God has shined in their hearts to give them the light of the glory of God, shining in the face of Jesus Christ, they will be prepared to appreciate what the inspired apostles have said of the old man, and the new man, the outer man, and the inner man, together with the admonition to put off the old man with his deeds, and to put on the new man, which after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness.
A clear scriptural understanding of this subject will serve also to obviate the difficulties which may harass their minds in regard to the nature of the Christian warfare. The saints are often tempted to doubt the reality of their own experience because they find in them so much of what is earthly, sensual and devilish, so much unreconciliation to God, so much murmuring, such vile affection, and strong propensities to depart from the living God, and to run into forbidden paths. If, say they, we were born of God, would it be thus with us? Can a nature which is born of God, grovel in the dust, and be so opposite to the spirit and purity of God? Certainly that which is born of God cannot commit sin, cannot disbelieve or doubt what God has said, etc. But when they hear an inspired apostle declare that it is no more I that doeth it, but sin that dwelleth in me, that the new man in them only, is born of God, loves God, loves holiness, loves the brethren, and serves the law of God, and that with his flesh, or earthly nature, he serves the law of sin, and does the things which he would not, and leaves undone the things which he would do, it gives them sweet relief. “From whence come wars and fightings among you?” Thus the apostle James interrogates the saints. Do they arise from that new man which is after God created in righteousness and true holiness? Certainly not. They cannot proceed from that in us which is born of God, for that cannot commit sin, for the seed abideth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Whence are they then? “Come they not of your own lusts?” Our flesh lusts against the Spirit, and that which is born of the flesh. Here is the source of wars among Christians. But as that which is assailed by the flesh is Spirit, and is born of the Spirit, it wars against the corruptions of the flesh. The life, or animation in the Christian which is of the flesh, as the body is death, and it is dead because of sin, ye shall die. There is nothing else in the flesh; but if ye through the Spirit (which is born of God) do mortify the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live; for the Spirit is life, because of righteousness. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” Let us remember that if we walk after the Spirit, we shall not fulfill the desires or lusts of the flesh. If the saints could at all times walk after the Spirit, there would be no wars and fighting among them; that is, no biting and devouring of one another; they would lay aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, and as new-born, heaven-born, spirit-born babes, we would desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby. This spiritual food is adapted to the child of the new birth; it will not nourish the child of the flesh. Our fleshly natures are of the earth, all their sustenance must come from the earth, and be obtained from thence by the sweat of the face. But that birth which is of an incorruptible seed, by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever, must be sustained by the milk of that living and abiding word.
Homegoings
R yan and Kellie Klusch fellowshipped with us several years ago, before moving to northeast Ohio where Ryan worked with his father, Gerald. On September 30th, Ryan called the sheriff's office to report his father missing after his abandoned pickup was found by his family on land they own and farm. A search ensued and on November 17th his father’s body was found. The police are investigating it as murder.
Ryan’s father was seventy-one, and lived with his wife, Leah, in Lisbon, Ohio. Leah will dearly miss his presence, as will their children, Ryan and Katherine, along with his sister, Nancy, his Aunt Miriam, and his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Gerald’s daughter, Robyn, is in the Lord’s presence with him.
Funeral services were held on December 3rd at the New Lisbon Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, with the Rev. Mark Wilds and Pastor Jason Strong of the Zion Reformed Church officiating.
This has been a difficult manner of parting for Ryan and his family. Ryan and Kellie’s address, for those wishing to send condolences is 7135 Chatfield Avenue NE, Canton, OH 44721. Please keep these dear friends in your thoughts and prayers as they both rejoice and sorrow, while trusting in the Lord.
Pills and Ills
T om and Kelly Cleland's five month-old granddaughter, Adelynn, had open-heart surgery on October 3rd. The surgeons repaired one larger than expected hole in her heart. They were also able to fix two smaller holes which would have required additional surgery. The surgery took four and a half hours. Tami (the Cleland’s daughter) and husband Matt took Adelynn home on October 7th. She developed an infection that required another hospital stay, but she is now doing very well. Tami and Matt are delighted to have her home and in good health.
Kelly and Tom Cleland went to the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Texas for an evaluation and opinion on her cancer. When they arrived, Tom was not feeling well, and after a visit to the ER, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He couldn’t be around Kelly due to her weakened immune system. She had a CT scan that revealed three masses back in the pelvic- abdominal area. Her very aggressive cancer has not yet spread to her organs, and they recommended a clinical trail to possibly slow the growth of the tumors. The two drugs are oral medications which Kelly can take and monitor in Columbus. The doctors stated there is no cure, and make no promises that this clinical trial will help. Kelly continues to rest and rely on the Lord’s strength and comfort, looking to things above, and enjoying the blessings God has given in her family and new granddaughter. Please keep Kelly and Tom (who has recovered from his pneumonia) in your thoughts and prayers. They are in deep waters but surrounded by the Lord’s love and the support of the fellowship.
Heath Miller, brother-in-law of Scott and Christy McConaughy, was in a very serious car accident November 4th near his home. Heath suffered major injuries and required immediate surgery at Miami Valley Hospital (Dayton). Heath was in critical condition, but has made an amazing recovery considering the extent of his injuries. Heath’s wife (and Scott’s sister), Shannon, attended RBC before marrying Heath and moving to Mechanicsburg. Scott and Christy greatly appreciate all the prayers on Heath’s behalf from our fellowship.
Scott Neal had surgery to replace his right ankle with new bits and pieces. His original issue ankle was giving him constant pain, so out with the old and in with the new. Scott is becalmed for a whole month, followed by physical therapy and happy pain free (we trust) walks. Prayers for Home Health Aide, Susan are welcome, as they are for Home Health Object, Scott.
John Jundt continues to manage his cancer, mostly with cheerful assurances that he is ‘fine’ at any given time. And in the Lord he is fine, even though his walk has its challenges (as he would say). Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
Bits and Pieces
B ryna Ramsey, daughter of Steve and Toni Jo, was married on September 25th to Dieudonne (nicknamed “D.D.”) at a small service at RBC, officiated by Terry Barnett. D.D. is from Rwanda where family names are not used. So D.D. and Bryna are Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey. A new twist on keeping a maiden name. D.D. hopes to be a large animal vet, and is looking at the possibility of enrolling at OSU. He’s currently volunteering at a local vet until he gets his green card and can work legally. They are living with Steve and Toni Jo until their plans are more settled.
Kathy Hale has a report on the Bible Bee competition.
Several of our families participated in this year’s Bible Bee, a national summer program encouraging Bible study and memorization. On Saturday, August 27th, local Bible Bees were held in Columbus, Mount Vernon, and throughout the country. The children demonstrated what they had learned in a two-part process. They took a written test which covered the selected book, 1st Peter, including cross references, Greek words, and Bible memory. The hour-long test dealt with either one hundred or two hundred questions. For the oral round, each child was given the opportunity to quote as many verses as they could in ten minutes, up to a maximum of twenty-five memory passages. In this format, the judges gave a Bible reference for the child to quote. The children did not know ahead of time which of the verses from their list they would be asked to quote. The children had either fifty, two hundred, five hundred or eight hundred passages to memorize. Every verse memorized is a blessing, whether one or hundreds! Congratulations to all those who participated: Elizabeth, Andrew, David, Anthony and Louis Ledford; Isabella Iguchi; Evalyn and Isaac Homoelle; and Sarah, Becky, Mary, and Hannah Marshall. Of special note, Elizabeth, Andrew, Anthony, Evalyn, and Mary all qualified to participate in the National Bible Bee to be held in Nashville, Tennessee, November 16-19. They qualified by scoring in the top 100 in the nation in their age groups. In addition to what they have already learned, they will now be studying 2nd Peter and additional verses. Please remember to pray for these children as they recite and recall God’s Word.
Bill and LaDonna Wilson have donated, in absentia and through the good offices of Lori the Loquacious, an organ to RBC. LaDonna only played the keys and needed someone else to play the pedals. Oh dear, or as Bill would say, “For groan’s sake.” The organ has the usual stops, pedals, bells and whistles, and two very large speakers. Two of our more sensitive ladies said the placement of the speakers unbalanced the room, and they suffered bouts of seasickness as a result. The speakers were moved to a more convivial spot, and are now bedecked for Christmas. The organ has been tuned and refitted, and is ready to play. Perhaps a few cautions would be wise. Mr. Miss Otis was spotted fiddling with the keys. We have it on good authority he knows practically nothing about organs. Someone should notify Lori the Looming, and have her loom over Mr. Miss Otis before ‘something happens’ to the organ. Woe betide if he finds the pedals.
If you’re interested in disciplined investing, or even mildly curious, check out Deuteronomy Dan’s book titled, wait for it, Disciplined Investing, You’ll find it on Amazon. The book’s sure to make the NY Times book list, huh? Who can resist the title? If you’re a nascent hedonist or confirmed sluggard, don’t bother.
Walter Starkey is ninety-one, and doesn’t look a day older than ninety. Honest. Nancy Begley is eighty and has Walter beat hands down in the comeliness category. They are both hoping not to be noticed next birthday season.
Far-Flung Family
D avid the Dashing and his equally snazzy compatriots continue to minister to our multifarious reproduction machines, attach DVD and mailing labels, and direct the results to the Tape Family. They also download to the web where messages emerge as mp3s. Whatever that is when it’s in the queue. Here’s Mr. Dashing’s delightful news.
We are thankful to our Lord for His continuing to allow us to participate in the "tape ministry". We rejoice in His Word and sharing our Bible Studies with others! Art continues to make Bible Studies from his study at home, as well as the Sunday evening church studies in I Corinthians. Currently he is continuing with II Timothy after having completed the I Timothy studies. And Art has now begun a new study in the book of James. These are new studies which are being added to the web site and are available for distribution on cassette, mp3 or audio cd.
Also, Art did a "Men's Retreat" series of studies on creation. Because it is a slide show these are available as a DVD. It shows the slides and you can then hear the study. Anyone who would like to have a copy of this study please let us know. It is not on the web yet, but we are looking into making it available there for download.
"Thank you so much for uploading the .. sermons. They are just wonderful." California
"Art mentioned the creation seminar. Please send me the DVD when it is available." Florida
"I'm re-listening to Basic Bible Doctrine. That's a great sermon series. I have it on tape, but the old tape player is on its last leg and not real handy. I would rather use a mp3 player. If it is not too much trouble could I order that series on disk?" Kentucky
"I would appreciate receiving the current 1 Corinthian studies on CD to listen to in my car as I commute." RBC Website email
"...are going through Matthew. One more tape, and we will be done with Matthew 24. We feel so blessed to be able to hear and understand the truth of God's word. Sometimes I feel as if I know so little. But praise God for what we do know." Tennessee
Tuneful Takes
T he choir clomped into their rows on October 9th but there’s no record in the bulletin of what they sang. Did Miss Harriet draw a veil so no invidious comparisons could be made between the announced songs and their production by the choir? No, as it turns out. Our choir director, Vicki the Vivacious, likes to take advantage of a critical mass when she sees it, and expects the fellowship to come up with a consensus on song titles. Here’s what we came up with for October 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th and November 6th, 13th, and 20th (order approximate): Make a Joyful Noise, River of God’s Love, Speak O Lord, Ever In Joyful Song, and I Sing the Greatness of Our Lord. Some songs, naturally, went missing in the general hubbub of any gaggle of RBCers with differing interpretations. The good news on the 9th was a rare substitution of Lynn Crawford on piano in the evening service. Takes us back, it does, to the glory days of LaDonna the Dictator and her Assistant in Mayhem.
On October 16th Carol Washburn sang In Christ Alone, and she provided an object lesson when she got lost in her music. Lost and Found in Christ Alone. Perfect, Carol, just perfect.
On October 30th the redoubtable Angela Hulligan sang Sheep May Safely Graze by the prolific Bach. This selection was from Cantata 208. See? prolific. Angela did a lovely rendering of the music and the words.
The Starkey Aurand Quartet livened up our November 13th with He Who Began a Good Work, a nice toe-tapper with an upbeat melody and message. The quartet’s all related but we’ll spare you the family tree.
Rick Murray raised the cerebral tone on November 27th with a song based on a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. We’re hoping his mother, Henry’s that is, called him H.W. for short or ‘Howl’, or a two-syllable ascending ‘Hen-RYEE’. Rick (the fellow we started with) said H.W.s life was full of woe balanced by trust in the Lord. Rick sang H.W.’s poem which turned out to be the familiar I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. So now we know the back story, and were charmed we knew, in spite of ourselves, a poem by Henry Wads himself.
In the News You Can Use Category, The Basses have staged a mutiny in the choir. Again. They summarily booted the Now Former Third Row (five plus one second and an alto), booted them, we tell you, down to the first row
The Former Thirds were not consulted. The Basses should consult their copies of The Essential Survival Guide to Women, chapter heading Cautions for Unilateral Action, page 121: “Even when a decision to undertake unilateral action is determined, due diligence requires at least a cursory nod to consultation. Almost all unilateral decisions benefit from such a soothing approach, for without it, trouble is a virtual certainty.” Trouble indeed.
In defiance of the Guide’s good sense, the Basses ringleader, David the Adroit, is not only unapologetic, he continues to give soto voce orders from on high. He thinks the source of these ethereal messages can’t be determined. He thinks wrong.
The Former Thirds have seize the moral high ground by making the best of their unorthodox position. They’ve made the low ground theirs, and the choir rail with it. The rail is good for balancing music folders, liquid refreshment cups, pencils, and other necessities.
The first row is also easier to exit, although, for the record, we categorically disclaim Mr. Adroit’s assertion that the Basses yielded the first row simply to be chivalrous to the old ladies. We’ll have you know that Sarah the Soccer Star isn’t a day over eighteen, and brings our average age smack into the dewy youth range. Or close.
Mr. Adroit’s latest maneuver is a novel legal defense based on Democracy v. Dictator, 1976, an opinion in which opposing counsel, Brevity Bill, challenged the Dictator’s Basses Third Row Privilege. Hard to argue with the Dictator, even in absentia. Mr. Adroit? not so hard. The Former Thirds are even now negotiating for pro bono legal counsel from Mr. Miss Otis.
Our last entry in Choir News You Can Use features music leader Ken the Keen. He was feeling deeply the pain of “The Day After the Buckeyes 2011 Loss to U. of Blue (a.k.a., University of Michigan). He kindly suggested a list of songs from which we might draw consolation, and we pass them along for your solace: The Wonder of It All, Can It Be?, Were You There?, Another Year Is Coming, and Come Ye Disconsolate. In the event, we sang Who Is He in Yonder Stall as more appropriate to the season and to spiritual balance. But we appreciated the effort, Mr. Keen.
Double-Header
D avid Sowards hit home runs in his two Men’s Fellowship Breakfast messages a month apart, on August 13th and October 8th. David discussed John 3: 3, 5, and 12-18. Tune-Up Terry gives us a full report. Almost full. He notes that the tapes of both messages are available for those wishing to have the whole caboodle . . . musings, discussion, white spaces, etc.
The incomparable Kitchen Crew of Paul Landenberger, Harold Brown, and Ryland Truax served up fluffy scrambled eggs, hearty sausages, the ever-popular Skier's Toast, tangy orange juice, richly brewed coffee, and a compote of pineapple, bananas, and strawberries. As George Woodward used to say, “Ambrosia!”
I thank our Lord for the fellowship and excellent food, especially the spiritual nourishment in God’s Word. I’m thankful for David Starkey’s leadership of the MFB, and for the Kitchen Capers: Harold Brown, Ryland Truax, and Larry Washburn. The August and October meetings were a blessing to my heart, and I’m sure also to those attending. This report is only a brief outline of David’s presentations, for which tapes are available.
In verses three and five of John chapter 3, Nicodemus may have thought that if Christ indeed was Messiah, He may have come to establish the earthly kingdom, known in Matthew as the ‘kingdom of heaven’. The Jews had long awaited this kingdom. But in verse three and five, Christ is speaking of the spiritual kingdom.
The earthly kingdom, or the kingdom of heaven, was promised in the Abrahamic covenant to Israel forever (Gen. 13: 14-17; 17:7-8), and again to Jacob (Gen. 28:4). The Palestinian covenant reinforced the covenant made to Abraham and Israel (Deut. 30:1-10). The Davidic covenant included the promise of a king forever on the throne (II Sam.7: 12-16). And finally, in Matthew the term ‘kingdom of heaven is used thirty times, whereas the ‘kingdom of God’ is used five (Matt. 6:33, 12:28, 19:24, 21:31, 21:43). Why speak of two different kingdoms if they are the same?
The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom that can only be entered into through spiritual birth. When Christ said to Nicodemus “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”, He means without spiritual birth man can’t discern spiritual things. “See” in the Greek means to know or become acquainted with. Furthermore, in Rom. 4:17, I Cor. 6:9-11, and Gal. 5:21, the Holy Spirit speaks of the church being in the kingdom of God now, not at a future time. During the kingdom age, both the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God will exist at the same time. The elect living in their mortal bodies will be in both kingdoms, but the non-elect will only be in the kingdom of heaven.
Verses 12 through 18 discuss the new birth. Verse 12 states the truth of the new birth: “If I have told you earthly things, and you believe me not, how shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?” Jesus is the only begotten son of God; as the Incarnation is the union of the two natures (divine and human); and through His death, burial, and resurrection is the means of reconciling us to God. These heavenly truths can only be understood by those given new birth.
In Verse 13 “no man has ascended”, the word ‘ascended’ means one who has penetrated the heavenly mysteries. “He came down from heaven” is a picture of the Incarnation. “Even the son of man which is in heaven” is left out in some translations, on the basis that it’s not possible for Christ to be talking to Nicodemus on earth and be in heaven at the same time. The answer is found in the union of the two natures. Christ as the Incarnation is indeed on earth, but the Deity is not and cannot be confined only to earth. Deity is omnipresent even when the Eternal Son is incarnate in human flesh. Christ’s humanity is limited in the knowledge of some things (Mk. 13:32) but His deity is never limited.
Verse 14 says “As Moses lifted up the serpent so must the Son of Man be lifted up”. In both illustrations, the cure resembled the disease. The serpent on the pole (Num.21: 5-9) had the appearance of the serpents that bit the Israelites. Christ was lifted up to become sin for us (IICor.5"21); the ‘must’ is the ‘must of necessity’ in the Greek. The healing was physical for the Israelites whereas it was spiritual healing of sin for all of God’s children. The serpent on the pole is a type of Christ on the cross. In both cases, death threatens as punishment for sin, and God Himself provides the remedy in His sovereign grace. In both cases, the remedy is something or someone that must be lifted up in public, and the people must look to the remedy in order to be healed, which healing is by God’s elective decree.
Verse 15 tells us that the fact of believing is the result of already having the eternal remedy. The serpent was lifted up in the sight of all Israel but all the Israelites were not healed, and so it is with the lifting up of Christ. Only God’s elect are spiritually healed.
A quote from William Hendricksen well illustrates verse 16: “It’s God’s love in action, reaching back to eternity and coming to fruition in Bethlehem and Calvary. That love was rich and true, full of understanding, tenderness, and majesty.” The “world” has several different meanings. Aion (Strong’s 165) means age as in Matt. 13:22, 39, 40, 49. Kosmos (Strong’s 2889) means ‘earth’ (Matt. 13:35), ‘mankind’ (Matt. 13:38) and ‘world system (John 12:31). Oikoumene (Strong’s 3625) means the Roman world (Lk. 2:1, Acts 11:28, 19:27), or the inhabited world (Matt. 24:14, Lk. 4:5, 21:6). Finally, ge (Strong’s 1093) means ‘earth’ (Rev. 13:3).
The word used in verse 16 is kosmos,. In Matt. 13:38 and 44 the same word, kosmos, is translated mankind. The reference does not mean every man without exception but men from “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev.5: 9). It is the world of the sheep, both Jew and Gentile (Jn. 10: 11, 15, 16, 25-28). Every man is not one of God’s sheep (Jn. 8:44; Rom. 9:13; Heb. 12:6).
Verse 16 refers to Christ as ‘the only begotten Son”, meaning Christ was one of a kind or unique. “Whosoever believeth” is the result of that person already having eternal life.
In verse 17, the Holy Spirit states that God’s purpose was ‘not to condemn the world”. The Jews expected the Messiah to destroy their oppressors when He came, when in fact the Son of Man came to deliver the elect. The kingdom would not be set up until after the tribulation period (Amos 5:18-20). Christ’s first coming was deliverance. His second coming will be for judgment (Rev. 1:11-16).
Verse 18 should be read along with verse 36 and Jn. 10:27. God’s sheep hear His voice and will follow Him. Those who do not believe are not His sheep, and are condemned on that basis: “ye believe not, because you are not my sheep” (Jn. 10:26).
My thanks to David for his diligent preparation of this study in God’s Word. The questions and comments during the discussion were an added spiritual blessing.
The Sheepfold
S erendipitous Steve wandered into the backwoods of “Saowth Cay-a-lina” when he stood firm on the fact that we “don’t serve no rock or stone”. A ‘saowthen’ reference to idol worship, we presume? He also wants to make sure we have our doctrines “nailed down” before leaving a verse. He observed, after a spirited discussion of Heb. 4:1-3, that our conclusions remained a little “muggy”. So much more descriptive than the usual ‘murky’, eh? Miss Otis considers Mr. Serendipitous’s regionalisms very entertaining not to mention intellectually intriguing.
The various Bible studies continue their deliberations, with the monthly addition of the Gilliland Gospelers Study under Deuteronomy Dan. True to form, he’s teaching the book of Esther. Dinner and childcare are provided, so this is our only full service study.
The Introductory Greek Class under Terry the Grammatical has concluded for this year. The Hebrew class keeps chugging along under, yep, Deuteronomy Dan.
Our other stalwarts continue apace: the Ladies Bible Study on Wednesday mornings at Leah Canady’s, and the Zehnder’s B&B study on Wednesday nights at their home. The Ladies are studying I Corinthians, ane we’re not sure where the B&Bers are wandering at the moment
Elder of the Month of October was Jim Calhoun, followed in November by Dave Canady. Pretty easy months for the eldership as most of the consoling is in regard to football losses by a certain local team of uncertain leadership against teams with refs in their pockets. To put it politely.
Our wonderful Coffee and Cookies Hour was presided over by Nancy and Harold Brown. As a veteran of the MFB’s Kitchen Krew, Harold knows his way around the kitchen. Nancy is no kitchen slouch herself. They turned the burners over to Art and Liz Wesner in November, with lots of front line help from their son Mark.
Codes and Ciphers
C lowdus Wellington is back, and in high spirits, as you can see. He’s actually a little hard to put up with after an aerial acrobatic session. Gets his brain muggy. To sort him out, we had him decode our nom de plumes.
Steve Gilliland Serendipitous Steve
Art Crawford Art the Aged
Lori Wilson the Loquacious
Lori the Looming
Jake Schlosser Mr. Miss Otis
David Crawford the Dashing
Mike Snider Treasurer du Jour
Mr. Du Jour
Harriet Shields Miss Harriet
Bill Wilson Brevity Bill
LaDonna Wilson the Dictator*
Vicki Starkey the Vivacious
David Starkey David the Adroit
Mr. Adroit
Sarah Hale the Soccer Star
Ken Heffner Ken the Keen
Mr. Keen
Terry Barnett the Grammatical
Tune-Up Terry
Dan Crawford Deuteronomy Dan
*So called because the choir once posted a sign on the rafter reading “The Dictator”, with an arrow pointing to the podium. LaDonna considered it a compliment, which goes a long way to explaining her dictatorship.
Alpha and Omega
P reserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; but to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offering of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand, pleasure for evermore.
Psalm 16
In His faithfulness,
Kathleen Schlosser