I ran across this news clip of a man who held to a belief of a literal hell as the Bible teaches, but claimed to have a revelation from God which superseded the Word of God. Are we to accept the word of a finite man who questions an infinite God, or the word of the created over the word of the Creator? It is obvious to me this man is influenced by pride and never had a message from God.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Peter 2:17-3:1
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Post Author: John J. Bagby, Sr.
Tags: Accountibility, Baptists, Beliefs, Bible, Christianity, Church Growth, Church Planters, Doctrine, Eternal Life, Expository Preaching, Faith, Family, Family Values, God, Godly Faithfulness, Landmark Baptists, Godly Responsibility, God’s Word, Pastors, Pastor’s Wives, Preachers, Religion, Scripture, Separation, The Cross, The Cross of Christ, Theology, Worship
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
- I Corinthians 11:27-29
There is a scriptural contest in properly observing the ordinance the Lord himself told us to observe. We must first come to a firm conviction that it is the Lord’s supper and therefore no liberties should be taken when a church comes together to observe this pictorial ordinance. On the contrary, every detail given in the scriptures should be followed.
There are the proper elements: the fruit of the vine and the unleavened bread; the proper place: when the church assembles together; the proper participants: the member of the assembling church the proper purpose: showing the Lord’s death to others in the service; and there must be a proper motive: to remind the members of the assembly that we are saved by our acceptance of Christ.
There will also be preparation before a church is prepared to observe this visual reminder of our Savior’s death. The bread and the fruit of the vine must properly be prepared and set apart. Somebody will have to prepare the Lord’s Table and those who come to the Lord’s Table must also be personally prepared. Of all the preparation to observe this pictorial service the area of personal preparation potentially has the greatest risk of neglect and disregard.
For this reason, it is imperative that a man examine himself. Before one partakes of the Lord’s Supper, it is essential that he take stock of himself as he takes stock of our Lord. There is no room here for callousness of heart or carelessness of mind. It is also in this area that a child of God might eat unworthily as defined in verse 29 as “not discerning the Lord’s body.”
In other words, there is an irreverent and careless attitude displayed at the table of the Lord. We are not to examine one another and we are not to subject ourselves to the examination of others. If you examine others, you will become hardened in self-righteousness, harsh, and judgmental; arrogantly making yourself the standard by which you judge others. If you subject yourself to the examinations of others, you will have nothing but the words and opinions of men as the basis of your faith.
Let us examine ourselves and take necessary steps to do whatever we need to do before we come to the Lord’s Table. Whatever amends on our part that need made, let us do so. Then, let us boldly and confidently come to the Lord’s Table and show the Lord’s death until He comes.
Post Author: John J. Bagby, Sr.
Tags: Accountibility, Baptists, Beliefs, Bible, Christianity, Doctrine, Eternal Life, Expository Preaching, Faith, Family, Family Values, God, Godly Faithfulness, Landmark Baptists, Godly Responsibility, God’s Word, Pastors, Preachers, Religion, Scripture, Separation, The Cross, The Cross of Christ, Theology, Worship