Speaking Smooth Things About . . . The Role of the Woman in the Church

By Andy Alexander

The times we live in give rise to many problems that must be addressed in the Lord’s church. In every age the sins prevalent in the world affect the church to some degree and we must be on guard against these sins and warn others lest they be adversely affected by them. This special issue of Truth Magazine focuses on a number of these topics. This article will address the subject of the woman’s role in the church and the speaking of smooth things by some among us on this subject.

As with most Bible subjects, the Bible’s teaching on the role of the woman in the church is misunderstood, perverted, or just plain ignored by the vast majority of religious denominations. Denominational churches have women serving in many leadership capacities. Women lead in prayers, lead singing, sing solos, and preach. They serve as priests, pastors, ministers, counselors, and various other offices within their denominational churches. This is partly due to the fact that denominations of men no longer respect the Word of God. A retired pastor for the Presbyterian church arguing for broader acceptance of homosexuality stated, “The Bible is not an infallible book, it is not error free” (Courier Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, March 8, 1998, A-1). With this kind of mentality it’s no wonder that women in denominational churches have taken leadership roles in direct rebellion to God’s word.

Women are as active in making decisions for their particular denomination as any man. This has been a common practice for a number of years, but with the advent of the modern feminist movement it has become more pronounced.

What has this to do with the Lord’s church? Exactly this: things that take place in denominational churches have a way of worming their way into the true church, creating division and apostasy. Instrumental music was borrowed from the denominations and this innovation caused division among God’s people. The social gospel was invented by the churches of men and eventually introduced into the Lord’s body, bringing more division. The sponsoring church embraced by liberal members of the church of Christ is a copy of the denominational concept of centralization and has caused much harm and schism within the body of Christ.

So it is with the “women’s movement” within the churches of Christ. The more liberal, institutional churches have women serving the Lord’s supper, leading singing via “praise teams,” serving as deaconesses, teaching mixed classes of adults, leading in prayer, and occasion- ally preaching from the pulpit (for examples, see Peggy Sanford, “Cookies To Communion: The Changing Roles of Women in the Church of Christ,” Integrity, Issue 5, 1997, 82-87). The pressure of the feminist movement and the desire to be like the “nations” roundabout have aided in this perversion of the woman’s role in the church.

What is the woman’s role in the church? What can she do? Can she serve in a leadership capacity over men? These questions must be answered in the light of God’s word and not with the prevailing attitudes of society, the practice of denominational churches, or the apostate churches of Christ. “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. 8:20). The speaking of smooth things to God’s children lulls them into complacency and opens the door to unscriptural innovations. It was so in Isaiah’s day and continues to be so some 2700 years later (Isa. 30:9-10).

God is the One who dictates the role of women in his church and he specifically states, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence ” (1 Tim. 2:11-12). This command prohibits a woman from leading in the assembly over men. Man is not at liberty to void this command. Also, man should not place the woman in a position that would tempt her to violate this command or allow a woman to take a leading position herself.

One argument for allowing a woman to lead the assembly is that if a man asks a woman to address the assembly, then she is acting under the authority of the man who called upon her. However, he has asked her to do something that violates God’s will and no man has the authority to do such (1 Tim. 2:11-12; Col. 3:17).

Another argument is that some women are more capable of leading than some men. Who leads in the assembly is not a matter of ability, but one of authority. Women have no authority from God to lead the assembly. God does not permit it (1 Tim. 2:11-12)! The fact that some women are more articulate or better singers than some men does not change God’s word on the matter. Men are charged with leading in the assemblies of the saints and women are commanded to submit quietly to their leadership.

The argument could be made that a particular woman has more knowledge of a given situation than any of the men, so it is easier or better for her to make some announcement than the less knowledgeable men. Why are the elders or men less knowledgeable? Can the men not acquire the knowledge they need and then pass it on to the congregation? The presence of ignorant men still does not give the woman the authority to address the assembly in a leadership capacity (1 Tim. 2:11-12). Only unlearned or weak men would allow such to take place.

The presence of women in business meetings is becoming more prevalent. This has been likened to Bible classes where men lead and women participate. Actually, the business meeting by its very nature is a decision-making process, an exercise of leadership, and God has excluded women from such leadership roles. While some advocate women’s active participation, others claim the women are to sit silently while the men transact the necessary business. However, are we not placing women in a position where they will be tempted to break their silence and speak up when they believe the men are making a mistake? Why introduce a practice for which we can give no affirmative authority from Scripture? Godly men can consider the needs of women without involving them in leadership roles. The men have a responsibility to lead in such a way as not to lord it over the congregation (1 Pet. 5:1-3). Elders or men are not to be tyrants, ruling with no concern for those they are leading. The fact that some men have lorded it over the congregation and abused their position of leadership does not give the woman the right to rule (1 Tim. 2:11-12). Two wrongs do not make a right.

Women leading prayer in prayer groups with men present, women attending business meetings, women waiting on the Lord’s table, and women making announcements to the assembly are some examples of women easing into leadership roles in the church. These practices are not authorized by God and churches which allow any or all of these practices are paving the way for further departures from God’s word on the role of women. Places where one or more of these errors are practiced are conditioning the congregation to accept women in leadership roles. The place to stop it is at the beginning. Do not let the sinful practices get a foothold.

Women exerting pressure to take a leading part in the assembly, or men who encourage women to take such a part, are sinning and need to repent. Our liberal society does not want to hear sin condemned and sinners called to repentance, but we must obey God and do those things which he has commanded in the way he has commanded. “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).

Speaking Smooth Things About . . . Instrumental Music in Worship

By Lewis Willis                    

Music is divinely authorized in the worship of the church. The question is: What kind? This issue has long been divisive between the Lord’s church and denominationalism. Perhaps the most distinctive thing about our worship, compared to that of denominational churches, is our use of acappella music. There are several other differences but the use of vocal music is most noticeable to our visitors.

How important is the issue of music in the church? Music is no more important than prayer, the Lord’s supper, giving, or teaching which is true to the Scriptures. However, it is every bit as important as any of these other authorized and required practices.

The “smooth things” and “deceits” which brethren are now preaching all over the country will produce a generation which will conclude that it is all right to disagree over the use of the instrument in worship.

One need not spend much time in examination of what the New Testament says about instruments of music in worship. As a matter of fact, no time is needed since the New Testament says absolutely nothing about instruments of music and their use in the worship of the church. Does that thought send any message to us at all? We have an on-going major dispute in modern religion over a subject that is not so much as mentioned in describing the music we are to offer unto God. On the surface, one would think people would pause and reflect upon the significance of that fact. Through the years, this point has been emphasized to denominationalists, but it has received a rather cool reception, to say the least.

The Music Authorized For Worship

Allow me to list the passages which address our subject. This will not require much space, because there are only nine passages in the New Testament which address the music of the church. Read the following passages: Matthew 26:30; Mark14:26; Acts 16:25; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; 13:15; James 5:13. They all use either sing, sang, sung, or singing to describe the music of our worship; there are no exceptions!

One needs help to misunderstand the teaching of God’s Word on this subject. And guess what? That is exactly what he gets! On every hand there are preachers who readily speak “smooth things” and “deceit” to all who will listen. We hear them say things like, “I think . . . I believe   . . . I feel . . . It seems to me . . . I don’t see anything wrong with  . . .” in reference to the use of mechanical instruments. Actually, who cares what they think, believe, or feel? If we were worshiping them, that would be important information to have. However, since we worship God, we must discover what he thinks on the subject by reading and following the passages cited earlier.

Nonetheless, just as ancient Israel liked the words of the false prophets; people today like the “smooth things” and “deceits” which they hear. As long as this spirit prevails, there will always be a dispute between them, and those who follow the guide of the Scriptures in their practice.

A Battle At Our Doorstep

A division over institutionalism and sponsoring churches produced a division in the church in the 1950s. As a result, most brethren have little knowledge of what is going on among liberal churches today. These liberal churches are in the process of dividing today, and one of the issues dividing them is instrumental music in worship. Some of their most prominent preachers regularly participate in worship with denominations in which instrumental music is used.1

As these new apostates move further to make themselves just another denomination, they are beginning the process of softening up their followers to accept the instrument in their worship. They have already begun to speak “smooth things” and “deceits” to their members, and many, if not most, of their members are falling for the deceit.

They speak “smooth things” in referring to the worship of the church. Rubel Shelly writes of our worship “tradition,” with the obvious point being that if vocal music is nothing but a “tradition,” it can be changed. We have several “traditions” (two songs, a prayer, and another song) that we readily change, so the thought is, we can change the “tradition” of vocal music as well. “The problem is,” Shelly says, “those traditions become so fixed that they are seen by many to inhibit true worship . . .”2 He further suggests that those using vocal music “. . . be a bit more under- standing and incorporating toward the Baby Boomers and Generation Xers who want some things more in sync with their pulses and those of their searching contemporaries.”3

Shelly advises that we stop fighting one another over the “externals” of our worship. Larry Bridgesmith writes of our “worship styles,” adding that “we probably need to be more concerned about the idolatry in our theology than finding a worship style we like . . . we must remain vigilant to use worship forms consistent with biblical freedoms which connect with God seekers who are not familiar with ‘the way we have always done it.’”4 You see, folks, it’s just a question of style, externals, traditions, and biblical freedom in deciding if we will use instrumental music, at least, ac- cording to these men. These expressions are the “smooth things” which are spoken to deceive.

What do these pseudo-intellectual infidels think of our position that there are five acts of worship? Listen to Shelly: “This is the result of a penchant for systematizing rather than good theology. The very language misleads — leads away from a significant biblical truth. It is more precise to say that worship is always an attitude of reverence before God that is exhibited by appropriate actions. Fundamentally, there are three types of actions that are appropriate to the corporate worship of the church: praise, prayer, and preaching.5 This little “deceit” will open the door to any action, including the use of instrumental music, so long as your attitude of reverence is maintained. You can also easily guess who is going to decide what actions are appropriate.

Dave Miller itemized some of the changes this modern theology has already brought to the worship in liberal churches. Special music (including solos and choirs) is common; drama (using costumed actors) is used; the Lord’s supper is observed on any day; babies are dedicated in the assembly; hand clapping and lifting up of hands, Pentecostal-style, are common; women are used to lead songs and prayers; and religious holidays, like Christmas and Easter, are observed with the appropriate actions gleaned from denominationalism.6

With ample space, this list could easily be expanded upon. The battle rages in liberal churches over these questions. Having years ago abandoned divine principles regarding scriptural authority in order to get church sup- port for human institutions, these brethren who oppose this next generation of apostasy (such as Buster Dobbs, editor of Firm Foundation and Alan E. Highers, editor of The Spiritual Sword) are left virtually powerless to stop the march of heresy. The division among them has already happened. The only thing to be determined is how many of their churches will adopt the “smooth things” and “deceits” which they are being taught. “Professing themselves to be wise . . .” they have foolishly fallen further from the Lord than before (Rom. 1:22).

Conclusion

The message to us is, we must continue to preach the truth, even on “old” subjects like instrumental music. Al- ready seed has been sown, through the controversy over the application of Romans 14 to matters of “doctrinal differences,” which can lead us down the same, sad path institutional brethren have traveled. The “smooth things” and “deceits” which brethren are now preaching all over the country will produce a generation which will conclude that it is all right to disagree over the use of the instrument in worship, without it affecting the fellowship of brethren. Folks, if Romans 14 tolerates false teaching and practice on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, why does it not do the same on the use of instrumental music? We know our duty in regard to things like this. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:17-18).

1  Max Lucado exchanged pulpits with Trinity Baptist Church, 4/2/95, The Spiritual Sword, 10/96, 4.

2 Wineskins, Vol. 3, No. 5, 5.

3 Ibid.

4 Ibid., 9-10.

5 Ibid., 5.

6 Spiritual Sword, 10/96, 25-28.

Speaking Smooth About . . . The Holy Spirit

By Aude McKee

I commend brother Edwards for his selection of topics to be discussed under the above heading. Everyone is vital to the purity of the Lord’s body and everyone is under attack, not only by the religious world in general, but by some of our own brethren. Fifty years ago it would have been unnecessary to discuss most of the subjects given consideration in this issue, so far as our brethren were concerned, but times have changed! Several of the fourteen subjects are of special significance because of their broad, encompassing effect. This is certainly true regarding the Holy Spirit. The “smooth things” you hear today regarding the Spirit and his work result in a minimizing of the power of the gospel of Christ.

In a volume entitled The Christian Minister’s Encyclopedia and Pulpit Companion I ran across this observation: “It seems unaccountable that intelligent beings should become so foolishly infatuated, that they should prefer deceit to sincerity, and falsehood to truth. And yet men do so, not in reference to temporal things, which are only of secondary moment; but in reference to the soul and the great realities of the eternal world. The more important the subject, and the more valuable is the truth relating to it; and the more needful to avoid error. So that to be willingly deceived in the highest of all concerns amounts to nothing short of moral insanity. Yet of this worst form of madness, men are most extensively guilty” (Sermon No. 15, Isa. 30:10, 559).

Some of the “smooth things” about the Holy Spirit that you hear today from some of our brethren:

  • Don’t get hung up on word for word inspiration.
  • The word is not the sole influence leading to conversion.
  • The prophecy found in Joel 2:28- 32 is being fulfilled now.
  • The Spirit is working mightily among our denominational neighbors.
  • The Holy Spirit personally in- dwells the Christian.

In Hendersonville, Tennessee there is a group that identifies themselves as The Community Church of Christ. In less than ten years, at least nine people have left the Lakeview church and joined Community. The ones who left and went to Community, while I preached at Lakeview, were continually complaining about the preaching. “You are not giving us what we need. We need more preaching on love. We need more inspirational sermons.” And what has happened in Hendersonville is occurring all over the country. The teaching that the people at Community want and get is a concrete example of all the five points made above. On April 1, 1995, they had this recorded telephone message: “Hey, you’ve got the Youth Message and Prayer Line. Can you imagine what the Lord is doing? It is mighty and powerful, isn’t it? ‘It shall come to pass in the last days, saith the Lord, I will pour out My Spirit on all people: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy’ (Acts 2:16-17). Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your home and in your school. God is doing mighty things right now. Don’t let any part of your life be left out.”

In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul forever set- tles the matter of the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures. The revelation was made, he affirms, “not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (KJV). The NIV translates the passage: “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (vv. 12, 13).

If it takes more than God’s word to convert the sinner, it is strange that the Holy Spirit had Paul to write: “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:14-17). All of us remember well the commission of Jesus: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16). The gospel is the word-for- word revelation made by the Spirit and when a person is led by the gospel, he is being led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14).

The affirmation that Joel 2:28-32 is being fulfilled now is ludicrous (“Laughable or hilarious through obvious absurdity or incongruity,” New American Heritage Dictionary). Can those who make such a claim speak in tongues (languages they have not learned)? Can they prophesy (speak by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration)?

Any time respect for the author- ity of the Spirit-inspired Scriptures diminishes, regard for religious institutions unauthorized by God increases. Several illustrations of this point could be made from the Nashville area, but we will continue with Community. On October 29, 1993, this item appeared in the Hendersonville Star News. “For the first time in Sumner County history, churches are combining their youth for an evening of celebration. This is historic be- cause it involves Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Assembly of God, Church of Christ, Interdenominational, and Nazarene churches. The event will be Sunday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Music Village.” And then the list of denominations participating are listed and among them is the Community Church of Christ. The Holy Spirit says that “whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God” (2 John 9-11). He then went on to say that anyone who bids God speed to such is a partaker of his evil deeds!

Finally, teaching that the Holy Spirit indwells the child of God personally has the potential for great harm to the cause for which Jesus died. In a sermon delivered at Highland in Abilene, Mike Cope asked, “But what are you going to do with the many wonderful Spirit-filled, Jesus-like prayerful believers who don’t go to church where we go, who weren’t baptized the same way we were baptized, and whose doctrine doesn’t line up exactly like ours? This was the crisis for me” (The Spiritual Sword, Vol. 29, No.2). Brother Cope’s “crisis” exists because he believes the Spirit can fill (indwell) a person separate from the word. It is a fact that deity indwells God’s people.

1 John 4:12-16 teaches plainly that God dwells in the Christian, Romans 8:10 affirms that Christ indwells, and 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that the Spirit is in the Christian. But Ephesians 3:17 makes it clear how Jesus indwells — it is through faith. Note verses 14-19:

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to be able to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

The heart of man is the abode of God, his Son, and the Holy Spirit and this condition of heart is brought about by the power of God’s word. Some claim that the Spirit indwells personally, but does nothing as a result of that indwelling. One difficulty with that position (in addition to it being unscriptural) is its potential for harm. I tell my little boy that a butterfly is in his stomach but not to worry be- cause it is dormant — it does nothing. Time passes and then one day he has a queer feeling and the result? “Dad was wrong! That butterfly is doing something to me.” I attended a meeting at one of the churches of Christ in Murray, Kentucky a number of years ago, and the preacher affirmed that he had been guided to a parking place on one occasion by the Spirit and at another time was directed to a hospital room where an opportunity to teach was afforded. The indwelling Spirit, he believed, was acting supernaturally on his behalf.

When we read Isaiah 30:10, we need to remember that it was the people of God who wanted God’s message watered down. Someone wrote some years ago that “this generation has been indoctrinated, brainwashed, and conditioned to react against ‘war,’ ‘defense,’ ‘militancy,’ ‘contention,’ and other such words with contempt. To this group the con- notations which these words conjure up are repulsive and abhorrent by their very nature. In contradistinction, such words as ‘love,’ ‘peace,’ ‘harmony,’ ‘unity,’ ‘brotherhood,’ etc., are pleasing to their ears and essential elements of their vocabulary.” These are the kind of people in the church who are crying the same words that Isaiah heard about 700 years before our Lord was born — “Speak unto us smooth things.

Speaking Smooth Things About . . . Bible Baptism

By John Isaac Edwards

History repeats itself! The children of Israel cried out to the prophets, “speak unto us smooth things” (Isa. 30:10) and Jeremiah declared, “The prophets prophesy falsely. . . . and my people love to have it so” (Jer. 5:31). What happened then is going on today!

The time has come “when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to them- selves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Many today “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:18).

We must always demand the truth, no matter what, and we need men among us who have the courage and the conviction to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth no matter what! Paul penned, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).

Some Baptism Smoothies

There are a lot of smooth things being said today in regards to Bible baptism. Logan Fox, a Pepperdine professor, said, “It is possible to be filled with the Spirit without being baptized.” In his book, The Peaceable Kingdom, Carroll D. Osburn wrote, “There should be room in the Christian fellowship for those who believe that Christ is the Son of God, but who differ on . . . whether baptism is ‘for’ or ‘because of’ the remission of sins.” How much smoother can one get than this? This man is Professor of New Testament at Abilene Christian University. No telling how many young preachers are being affected by this smooth doctrine!

Max Lucado, who preaches for the Oak Hills church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas, said in a television inter- view in Nashville, Tennessee, July 2, 1997: “I believe in baptism. Jesus was baptized. The Bible teaches baptism. I just don’t believe that baptism saves you. I believe that Jesus Christ saves us. And baptism is one of those ways we celebrate our salvation. It’s really the initial step of the faithful believer.” In a radio broadcast, When Your Heart Needs A Father, KJAK, Lubbock, Texas, Lucado encouraged his listeners who were in need of salvation to pray a “sinner’s prayer” asking God to receive them as his child. Lucado then said, “Today is the first day you’ve ever prayed a prayer like that. Could you do me a favor? Could you write me a letter? I don’t have anything I am going to ask from you. I do have a letter I would like to send to you; I’d like to give you a word about the next step or two. I want to encourage you to be baptized, I want to encourage you to read your Bible. But I don’t want you to do any of that so that you will be saved. I want you to do all of that because you are saved . . .” Pretty smooth, don’t you think? And on and on it goes!

We must always demand the truth, no matter what, and we need men among us who have the courage and the conviction to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth no matter what!

The Truth About Bible Baptism

As long as there are men who come along and speak smooth things about Bible subjects, there will be a need for us to teach the truth and expose and refute error. Whatever the Bible says about baptism is the way it is, and we need to believe it and obey it! What does the Bible say?

1. Bible baptism is for the remission of sins. The apostle Peter said very plainly, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). To say that baptism is because of the remission of sins is to teach something the Bible just does not teach! We are not baptized because our sins are already forgiven. We are baptized in order for our sins to be remitted. The language of Peter in Acts 2:38 is parallel to that of Jesus in Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Did Jesus shed his blood because men had already been forgiven of their sins? No! He shed his blood to make the remission of sins possible. And, the remission of sins is not possible without Bible baptism! That is the truth! Which will you accept: the truth or a smoothie?

2. Bible baptism saves. Some will tell us, “I don’t believe that baptism saves.” Why not? The Lord said that baptism saves. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). The word “and” is a copulative conjunction that ties “faith” and “baptism” together. It takes both faith and baptism to save! Faith alone is not enough, as James declared, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). If that’s not enough, listen to the apostle Peter, “The like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). I take my stand with the apostle Peter. What about you?

3. Bible baptism is a planting and a burial. Too many have the idea that salvation comes at the point of faith, and that baptism is something you do after you are saved as an outward showing of an inward feeling. Whatever that is, the Bible teaches otherwise. Paul taught, “Know ye not, that so many

of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death. . . . For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Rom. 6:3-5). If you are made alive (saved) at the point of faith, then in baptism you are burying them alive! If not, why not?

4. Bible baptism washes away sins. Somebody may say, “Now wait a minute, I thought the blood of Christ washes away sins.” It does. John recorded, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5). The question is not, “Does the blood wash away sins?” The question is, “How does it do it?” According to John 19:34, Jesus shed his blood in his death. To contact the blood of Christ we must reach his death. This is accomplished in the watery grave of baptism, as Paul penned, “baptized into his death” (Rom. 6:3-4). The blood washes away sins as we are baptized into Christ. Until an individual submits to the Bible command to be baptized, he is yet in his sins! This is why Saul was instructed, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). That may not be very smooth, but that is the truth and Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

 

We need to take John’s advice, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1

John 4:1). May we be as the noble Bereans, who “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts

17:11).