And When They Heard!

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, "Brothers, what must we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for  all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call" With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them. "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:37-41NIV)

What did people hear that convinced them they needed a Savior? They were reminded of God's message through the prophets, what David had said in his psalms, and Peter shared his experience walking with Jesus and how and why He was crucified. We are told that "their hearts were cut" meaning they were convicted--by the words preached to them--to change their ways.

What were the other words said to them? We are not told, but I am convinced whatever they were, the people were able to understand with clarity what was said and there were convinced and accepted the message. In the KJV, the 41st verse reads, "they gladly accepted..."

My question for the day is, how do people gladly accept a message from a preacher who does nothing but make noise? It is not the noise that makes people glad--or it shouldn't be--but the words of the message based upon the Word of God!

One of the reasons the "church" is in such sad shape is because people who attend the buildings are more interested in "making noise" and "having church" than in hearing someone capable of expounding the Word of God and making it relevant to our everyday lives. Yes, I'm talking about the "whoopers" and the "grunters" and the "screechers" and the music that is so loud no one can hear the message. None of the noise leads anyone to salvation; it merely serves to stir up emotions in people and get them so riled up they don't even realize they have not heard "The Word" because those who employ the "noise" method of preaching, usually don't know enough Word to teach God's people how to live. And this is how Satan has deceived the body of Christ--by "making some noise" that has no relevance to salvation.

It is The Word of God, preached and taught by those who have been called by God to do so--rightly divided and broken down to the lowest common denominator that people need to hear in order to make a decision to be saved and lived saved. When all people hear from someone who is supposed to be teaching them is noise or the repetitive use of song lyrics, see theatrics presented by the preacher in the form of jumping around, acting like they're having seizures, and moaning and groaning in a microphone--so loud the noise creates headaches--they don't respond to an invitation to be saved or to join the church.

When are we going to figure this out? When the last doors of all church buildings are closed? People don't need "noise" to be keep them in right relationship with God, they need The Word. We also do not need "cheerleaders" in the pulpit trying to "pump us up" to praise God. Every born-again Believer who knows how God operates, knows and understands His Word, praises God without encouragement, but that praise may not take the form of the shouting, running, and whooping that some are trying to ignite. Every day, I wake with a praise on my lips and thanksgiving in my heart because I didn't have to wake up.

Perhaps, the larger problem in many churches today is that the leadership doesn't understand the difference between praising God and worshiping God--especially in a building--designated the church. I do not attend buildings to "have church" by making noise; I attend to hear an encouraging Word from the Word and when I hear The Word, my heart is stirred--the noise only aggravates me.

When people hear the pure Word--no sugar-coating added or other synthetic sweeteners used--hearts are changed and souls are added to the Body of Christ--not just the membership of a local church. We should be more concerned about being "The Church" than in "having church" every time we enter the building.

United For The Cause!

"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." (I Coriinthians 1:10 NIV).

This appeal from Paul to all church leaders--was in response to those who thought they had a claim of superiority over others--simply because of who the leader was. For whatever reason--then as now--people tend to think that if they belong to a certain church or denomination that they have bragging rights and feel superior to any other Believers.

The truth of the matter is--if ALL claim to be Believers in the Work on the Cross, in salvation, repentance, spreading The Word and LIVING according to The Word--then NONE are superior or inferior. ALL are equal in the sight of God since He has no respect of persons.
People who have worship services on Sunday have no more access to God than those who have worship services on Saturday or any other day of the week--we all have equal access to God through the Son, Jesus Christ.

How a person is baptized is a matter between them and God, but if we look at the Scriptures and desire to be like Christ, who was submerged when baptized, then we would have to know, submersion is  the acceptable baptismal method. But this is not to argue, sprinkling or submersion--the act of baptism is supposed to symbolic of our "being buried with Him (to sin), and rising again (to live for Him)" to do the good works He said we would do. If we cannot do the works--ignited by love--for God and others--our baptism means nothing.

I can perfectly understand Paul's response to the church at Corinth--it doesn't matter who does the baptism or under what banner--it is the BAPTISM itself that matters--not who did it. If a person's heart is not right--it won't matter who does the baptizing. Some have gone into the water a dry devil and come up a wet one--there is no change of heart and so there can be no change of action.

Since none--but Jesus--has ever died for us--why do we pay so much attention to people in leadership positions? They have no heaven or hell for us. Their opinion of us--matters not--especially those who simply love to have authority over others, but have no relationship with God and it is evident in how they conduct themselves in their various churches. Having authority over people does not make them gods--it usually means God's favor--but more often it means, someone has erred in judgment by putting a godless person over others. We know this happens because we see the results every day when they are reported in the media. Why can't we choose leaders by praying until God shows us who is to lead?

Okay, that's a topic by itself and I will explore it, but the important thing for all BELIEVERS is that we are saying what God says--in total agreement--without any division. When the Body of Christ (everyone who proclaims to be believe in Him) unites in thought, purpose and deed, we will indeed change the world for the better.

Until then, let's not get caught up in people--who lead--but in the Leader we follow--Jesus Christ and learn to be united for the cause--encouraging everyone to live according to The Word of God!

The Foundation!

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 3:10,11 NIV)

Paul admonishes those who are attempting to "teach doctrine" other than what they learned. He reminds them (the Corinthians) that everything he taught was based upon his relationship with Jesus Christ and who He is. He goes on to tell them in (subsequent verses) that if they attempt teach any other doctrine, their works will be tried with fire.

Now, for clarity's sake, I must explain that in the subsequent verses, he mentions the building materials that will be tried and possibly burned up with fire. Paul uses the building materials--gold, silver, etc. in a figurative analogy. He does not mean that churches cannot use gold or silver in the buildings, as some have taught.

What is more important--the church (Body of Christ) or the building? I think this is where some err. The body of believers is the "Church of Jesus Christ" and the buildings are simply places where people go to worship, ideally. So, Paul is really concerned about the condition of the believers and the foundational truths they are taught and believe. When we change the foundational truths of God's Word, then we subject our works to being judged by the fire. EVERY TIME WE CHANGE GOD'S WORD TO PACIFY FLESH, WE ERR AND ARE CREATING AN UNSTABLE FOUNDATION.

When a firm, stable foundation has not been laid for a physical building, it will not withstand, the moves of the earth as it settles and sometimes, the foundations crack, lean, or fall apart, causing the entire building to crumble. When a firm foundation has not been been laid regarding the truth of God's Word, people lean, fall apart and crumble every time a crisis comes their way--their foundational knowledge is flawed and will not withstand the wiles of the enemy when the attack comes.

We should all aspire to be like Paul--as a wise builder--teaching and proclaiming only the truth of God's Word so when He comes, we will be found blameless and not guilty of promoting false doctrine trying to make ourselves to be something we are not. God knows the truth of all and He knows when the foundation is His or ours. If we think we can fool Him, we only delude ourselves. Make sure the foundation laid regarding God's truth--is His Truth!