"Are You Like. . . ?"
Are you like the "priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees?" (Acts 4:1). They were "sore troubled" (grieved.) Why? Men of God (Peter and John) "taught . . . and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead," Acts 4:2.
Having learned the effect of God's message upon the "priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees," let us find out what they did! "They laid hands on them (Peter and John, GTE), and put them in ward unto the morrow," Acts 4:3.
This type of behavior is still in man!! Preach the God given-word to man's spiritual need and he will do what the "priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees" did, make all efforts possible to silence the man of God. This is done in an effort to destroy or silence God's written word because it makes man see himself as God sees him. "0 Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps," Jeremiah 10:23. " . . . For we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin," Romans 3:9.
Friend, brother, or sister: you cannot destroy nor silence God's revealed, sacred, and written word, even though you might silence the messenger of God as King Herod did John the Baptizer!! "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away," Matt. 24: 35. Divine Providence guides and protects the entire process of transcription and translation in order that (1) the original sense of the inspired revelations will be faithfully preserved and (2) every responsible individual can know God's answer to the question that man has always asked, "what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30. This same inspired word that you now refuse to receive shall judge you in the last day, John 12:48.
Are you like the rulers? You believe Jesus but will not confess Him (obey God's only begotten Son), John 12: 42. Your reason is the same as theirs! You don't want to be kicked out of your "important position." You love "the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God," John 12:43.
This "important position" and loving "the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God" keeps many accountable people from confessing Jesus (obedience — Believe, Repent, Confess, BE BAPTIZED and BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH). How does it keep them? If those accountable people confessed Jesus, each one would be required to live Galatians 2:20. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." This confessing Jesus is done voluntarily by you!
This "important position" and loving "the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God" keeps many believers, too, from leaving churches that support the (1) co-operation seen in and taught by the Herald of Truth, (2) maintenance of human institutions such as colleges, asylums for homeless children and orphans, and old-folks homes from the church treasury, and/or (3) entertainment and recreation fashion practiced by too many congregations. These Christians (?) refuse to obey II Corinthians 6:17-18. "Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be to you a Father, and ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." This, too confessing Jesus is done voluntarily by you!
Your refusal to confess Jesus is done voluntarily. That is your own free will decision. You will someday regret that decision. You will at the Judgment honestly and sincerely beg to change (make void) your free will decision. It will be too late. You sealed your eternal doom in the flames of Hell by your own voluntary decision. Don't be as the rulers.
Are you, brother or sister LIKE Demas? Demas "loved the present world," 2 Tim. 4:10. Demas' love was shown in that he deserted God's preacher, Paul. Demas would not live the life of a Christian. He would not teach others the plan of salvation. Demas would not endure persecution nor would he inconvenience himself in service to Christ Jesus.
Brethren: don't be a Demas! "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever," I John 3:15-17.
Are you like the people were in Berea? The Bereans people "received the word with all readiness of mind examining, the scriptures daily, whether these things were so," Acts 17:11. Acts 17:12 teaches they were baptized in order to have remission of sins and grew "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," II Peter 3:18.
Who will you be like: (1) the "priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees," (2) the rulers, (3) Demas, or (4) the people of Berea?
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