EXPOSITORY FILES                      FEBRUARY 1994

 

     Expository Files 1.2

          Feb. 1994

          Edited by Warren E. Berkley and

Jon W. Quinn

 

{Note – since this is archived from 1994, some of the

e-mail addresses and references to various things in

1994 may not be current. Biblical teaching is!}

 

 

Welcome to the second issue of Expository Files, a monthly

electronic publication devoted to the exposition of Scriptures. Our

aim is to glorify God by offering articles that are simple, Scriptural

and easily read.

 

    The editors, Warren E. Berkley and Jon Quinn, are very happy with

the reception given to our the first issue. We appreciate the kind

comments and will strive to match or exceed the standard of each issue

with the next.

 

     We, the editors, have decided to alternate each issue, one taking

the introduction and the other taking the Final Page. This month, it

is my turn with the introduction. I'll not identify myself as to which

editor I am other than to say that if you ever see us together, I'll

be the good looking one.

 

     As always, we invite your comments. You may reach us through

E-Mail on America Online (WEB47 and JWQuinn). Please feel free to

upload EXPOSITORY FILES into local bulletin board networks or disperse

to others.

 

     "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which

is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who

are sanctified." (Acts 20:32,

NASB).

 

 

 

"They Shall Not Inherit The Kingdom of God"

(I Corinthians 6:9-11)

By Jon Quinn

 

     Contrary to what some folks would have you to believe, I know of

very few preachers of the gospel who relish the thought of people

missing heaven. "Fire and brimstone preachers" they call those who are

faithful to the Scriptures and take the warnings therein seriously

enough to mention them. Preachers and teachers of this sort are

usually characterized as harsh and unloving. Certainly some of them

are. But facts are facts and that the Word of God warns that certain

types of behavior will cause people to be lost.  And isn't it also

possible that many of those sounding the warnings are doing so because

of genuine concern  for others? The liberal "do whatever you choose to

do" crowd will deny it, but it is the truth.

     It is in the spirit of concern and loyalty to the facts as God

has caused them to be stated in His Word that this article is written.

It is not intended to make anybody mad. The title suggests that not

everybody is going to heaven. Already, we are being too

"narrow-minded" for many people. But we shall go even further and get

specific, but not any more specific than the Scriptures. So if you do

not like some of the specifics, take your argument not to the source

of this article, but to the source of the Scriptures upon which this

article is based; our Creator.

 

THE SCRIPTURE'S TESTIMONY

     "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the

kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor

idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor

thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, swindlers,

shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you

were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the

name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (I

CORINTHIANS 6:9-11). The spiritual and moral environment of the first

century city of Corinth was extremely unhealthy. Out of this culture,

which had seen its prime and under the crushing weight of further

moral decline would one day destroy itself, men and women answered the

call of the gospel. They sought purpose for their lives; they sought a

better way; they sought an eternal and abiding hope. They found it in

Christ Jesus. Even if their city and culture would shortly lie in

ruins, they would live forever.

 

THOSE WHO WILL FAIL TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD

     "And nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and

lying, shall ever come into it (the holy city, new Jerusalem - J.Q.),

but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life."

(REVELATION 21:27). Paul had given a list of things which, by the

guidance of the Holy Spirit, he termed "unrighteous" and said that

those who practice such things "shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

But if one is engaged in such activity, all is not lost. There are

steps to take to remedy the situation. We'll discuss that later.

    According to I CORINTHIANS 6:9-11:

(1) Fornicators shall not inherit the kingdom of God. This term refers

to those who engage in sexual activity which God has declared sinful.

He has not declared all sexual activity. In fact, He condones and even

encourages lawful sexual activity according to His design and purpose

(I CORINTHIANS 7:2-4; HEBREWS 13:4). Fornication refers to sexual

activity outside of  the marriage relationship between a man and a

woman. It would include premarital as well as extramarital sexual

relationships of whatever duration from a one night stand to an

ongoing affair. Such activity was rampant in first century Corinth. It

is rampant today in our own society. But it matters not how commonly

it is practiced, it is still unrighteous and it will keep one from 

entering heaven.

 (2) Idolaters shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Those who

offer to others what belongs unto God are idolaters. A person's idol

might be a huge, grotesque image carved out of stone before which he

bows. Or it might be his own desires. It is anything that a person

adores more than God. Idolatry will keep one from entering heaven.

 (3) Adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Adultery seems

to be more specific a term than fornication. It is usually limited to

sexual  unfaithfulness to a marriage partner. Adultery will keep one

from entering heaven.

 (4) The effeminate shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. When we see

this word, we think of a sissy. But the word goes beyond that. It

refers to one who is soft, specifically, to the passive partner in a

homosexual relationship. Being effeminate will keep one from entering

heaven.

 (5) Homosexuals shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. This word is

used twice in the New Testament; in the text we are examining as well

as I TIMOTHY 1:10. It denotes one who would take the leading role in a

homosexual relationship. It is not fashionable today to suggest that

such activity is unrighteous and will keep one out of the kingdom of

God, but that is what the Covenant of Jesus Christ says. Practicing

homosexuality will keep one from entering heaven.

 (6) Thieves shall not enter the kingdom of God. There is no excuse

for taking that which rightfully belongs to another. Whether its

shoplifting, pilfering, short-changing or armed robbery, fraud and

extortion, it is thievery. Whether the person doing the stealing is

rich or poor it will still keep one from entering heaven.

 (7). The covetous will not enter the kingdom of God. This has to do

with having an uncontrollable desire to possess a certain thing. It

motivates one into committing sin in order to satisfy greed. Coveting

that which belongs to another will keep one from entering heaven.

 (8) Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Children of God

have no need to cloud their perspectives nor dull their senses. We

must be able to think and reason clearly. Drunkenness causes one to

lose focus and rationality. Those who give themselves over to

intoxication will find that it keeps them from entering heaven.

 (9) Revilers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There are many to

speak boldly about things that they know little about. Many men and

women of God have had to endure reproach for their faith.  Not even

the Son of God escaped verbal abuse. But they will not have to endure

it forever because there will be no revilers in heaven.

 (10) Swindlers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Seducers and

smooth talkers of all kinds are included here. The religious con-man

belongs to this group as well as the secular. Those who prey on others

by trying to take advantage of their misfortune would also be

included. Swindlers cannot take their ill-gotten goods with them when

they leave this world, nor will they enter heaven.

 

AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU

     "And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were

sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus

Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (I CORINTHIANS 6:11). The

Christians at Corinth had been involved in these things before their

conversions. During that time they had no hope at all of heaven. Also,

any Christians returning to such practices would forfeit their eternal

home with God.

     But these things were now a part of the past. The disciples at

Corinth had been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the

Lord Jesus Christ. This happened when they obeyed  the gospel from the

heart.. This obedience involves  those who have come to believe in

Jesus repenting of their former conduct and being baptized in the name

of Christ (ACTS 2:38). Thus they had been washed (baptized),

sanctified (set apart from their old manner of life and dedicated to a

new purpose) and justified (declared forgiven and made righteous by

God's grace). God took people who were headed toward eternal

destruction, and by His power and grace had altered their direction.

He continues to do so today. Those who live according to His purpose

shall inherit the kingdom of God.

 

 

Elders, Bishops and Pastors: One Office or Three?

(ACTS 20:17-30)

Michael Schmidt

 

While talking with some white-shirted young Mormons one

day, I asked them about the "Elder so-and-so" name tags

they were both wearing. "How can you, both eighteen years

old, be called 'elders'? Also, the Bible says that elders

have to be married." Their response was something like

this: "Yes, what you say is true, but you have elders and

bishops confused. The Bible says that bishops must be

married, not elders, and elders must simply be wise ones.

God has given us wisdom."

 

What about that answer? Does it satisfy you? Does the

Bible distinguish between elders and bishops? And, what do

the words mean? Let's see.

 

ACTS20

Acts 20:17-18: "From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called

for the elders of the church. And when they had come to

him, he said to them: 'You know, from the first day that I

came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you'"

(NKJ throughout, KJV in brackets).

 

After the riot at Ephesus, Paul left, and sometime later returned by

thatway. Rather than going to the city itself, he called the elders of

the church to him at the seaport of Miletus.They came, and there he

admonished them, and told them that he would not see them again.

Notice, though, what the Scriptures say Paul called these men when

they came to him:

 

Acts 20:28-30: "Therefore take heed to yourselves and

to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you

overseers [bishops], to shepherd  [feed]  the church of

God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know

this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in

among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among

yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to

draw away the disciples after themselves.'"

 

When Paul called the elders, he addressed them as bishops and told

them to tend, shepherd, or pastor the flock! If elders and bishops are

distinct offices, occupied by different men, this would be senseless;

but if the offices are the same, then it is logical. If they were

different offices, when Paul called elders, no bishops would have been

there to speak to. He told these men, elders and bishops, to

"poimaino," or shepherd the flock. The root word is the word for a

shepherd who guides and cares for his flock.  Thus, in this passage,

elders are the same as bishops, or overseers, and these men are to act

as pastors and tend the flock, or church of God. Ephesians 4:11 makes

the only reference specifically to a group of men called pastors, and

here one could easily conclude that he was referring to this important

work of elders who oversee and tend the church. Not three offices, but

one!

 

TITUS 1:5-7  &  I TIMOTHY 3:1-2

Titus 1:5-7: "For this reason I left you in Crete, that

you should set in order the things that are lacking, and

appoint elders  in every city as I commanded you;  if a

man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful

children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

For a bishop  must be blameless, as a steward of God, not

self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not

violent, not greedy for money"

 

1 Timothy 3:1-2: "This is a faithful saying: If a man

desires the position of a bishop,  he desires a good work.

A bishop  then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,

temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable,

able to teach."

 

Titus is commanded to appoint a plurality of elders  in every city,

and then Paul immediately lists the qualities that these bishops  must

have. Is it fair to draw a sharp distinction between the two given the

natural flow from one verse to the other? Also, we see from 1 Timothy

3 that bishops are given similar and overlapping qualification. Only

the attempt to later justify a distinction in offices that had already

occurred historically could lead to an interpretation that these works

are distinct.

 

I PETER

1 Peter 5:1-4: "The elders who are among you I exhort, I

who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of

Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be

revealed: Shepherd  [Feed]  the flock of God which is

among you, serving as overseers [taking the oversight],

not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain

but eagerly;  nor as being lords over those entrusted to

you, but being examples to the flock;  and when the Chief

Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that

does not fade away."

 

This passage is much like Acts 20 in that all three words are used for

the same office, and of the same men. Peter, an elder himself, exhorts

other elders to carry out their duties as God directs. He tells them

to feed, or shepherd, tend or pastor the flock which is among them.

They are not to meddle in other flocks, but their own. Each church had

its own "presbytery" (I Tim. 4:14: Phil. 1:1-2; Acts 14:23; Jas.

5:14).

 

In this feeding the flock the elders serve as overseers, or bishops.

The word "elders" is from the Greek presbuteros, which in turn is from

the root presbos, or "old." Thus, elder refers to the spiritual

maturity of the men who serve as overseers. They have a wife and

children, and are not to be novices (1 Tim. 3:6). They are wise,

seasoned, mature. Elder speaks to the character of the man.

 

"Bishop" or "overseer" is from the Greek episkopos.  It is the word

for superintendent, a manager. (Epi- over, and -skopeo,  to look or

watch.) It speaks to their responsibility and authority. The verb form

of the word is used in 1 Peter 5:2, "exercise oversight." In 1 Timothy

3:1, the word is best rendered "overseership," since no word for

"office" is actually present.

 

"Pastor" is from poimen, which as we have seen, is the word used for a

shepherd, and thus of his word of feeding, guiding and tending the

flock. The verb form is poimaino.  In 1 Peter 5, all of these words

and ideas are used of the same men. Peter himself is one of them, as a

married man (Matthew 8:14ff).

 

This verse also teaches against the idea that there is another office

above that of bishop, called an archbishop. Peter says that even he is

simply a "fellow-elder," and that there is one "Chief Shepherd" or

archipoimenos, Jesus Christ Himself. The Bible does not authorize the

offices of Archbishops, Cardinals, Popes, etc. The only office over a

bishop, elder or pastor is the Chief Shepherd Himself.

 

Conclusion: It is apparent that the organization and

oversight of 1st century churches was much different than

that found in most all denominations today. Let's be

careful when we read these verses not to "retro-fit" our

current practices back onto the New Testament pattern, but

rather change our practice and understanding to fit the

New Testament.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

 

Michael Schmidt is involved in editing and publishing a periodical

called RUNNING THE RACE. It is a 28-page monthly magazine devoted to

encouraging daily Bible reading. It covers every book of the Bible in

two years, with daily readings, thought-provoking articles, and

activities. It is designed to be used every weekday, but the material

can be used in a variety of ways as classwork, sermon material, or a

'mini-commentary.' It is used by hundreds of families and individuals

all over the world. You can subscribe by sending $18.95 for an

individual subscription. This includes 1st-class postage. Groups of

10-99, paid at once are $17.95 each. (Deduct $3 for 3rd-class

postage.) Samples are $1 each. Send subscriptions to: Running The

Race, 771 E 300N Rd, Gibson City, IL 60936-7167."

 

 

Factions Exalting Men Are Wrong Because ...

(1 Cor. 1-4)

By Warren E. Berkley

 

The first problem Paul addressed in First Corinthians was

- Factions Exalting Men. In the first four chapters of the

letter, Paul hauls out this ugly mess and demonstrates how

wrong it is. There were rival factions, of human origin,

exalting their favorite men. And from this we ought to

learn that whenever people profess the name of Christ over

their religious practices, but follow men, and honor the

names of men (openly or by stealth), there is sin.

Legitimate militancy in sincerely upholding the truth is

one thing, but factions exalting men must be defeated.

 

Factions are wrong - because Christ isn't divided (1:13).

The body of Christ is not something that has been or can

be cut in pieces and parceled out to human leaders! This

is why it isn't appropriate to speak of "Paul's body of

Christ," or "Simon Peter's body of Christ." Christ is one;

His body is one (Eph. 4:4), and this is an argument

against the fragmentation and promotion of parties by men.

All such division and rivalry is wrong. {Note -

scripturally administered discipline is right (1 Cor. 5);

marking to avoid is right (Rom. 16:17,18*); but the kind

of fragmentation rebuked in 1 Corinthians 1 cannot be

justified.}

 

Factions are wrong - because we are not saved by the name

of Paul or any other man (1:13b-16). When you are

baptized, it is not the authority of some man that you are

submitting to. And, when you are baptized, it is not

allegiance to man that is called for, but allegiance to

Christ. Well, if you were baptized into the name of Christ

(not any man), and your baptism reflected your agreement

to recognize allegiance to Him (not any man), this is

another reason why human factions should not exists.

 

Factions are wrong - because they detract from the gospel

(1:17). The primary thrust and priority of Paul's work was

to preach the gospel. His job was not to go out and

baptize people into allegiance to some man. And, his job

wasn't just to go out and immerse people. His primary work

was to preach the gospel of Christ; and he was to do this

"not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ be made

of no effect." In the preaching of the gospel, the

emphasis or attention should never be on the man doing the

speaking (or writing); attention must be paid to the

Christ and His message. Human factions detract from the

pure and holy gospel, and direct attention to men.

 

Factions are wrong - because human wisdom is not

compatible with the cross (1:18-31). The preaching of the

cross, with a mixture of human wisdom, is a perversion

(see Gal. 1:6-12). Yet, when men create human factions

through human personality, charm or false doctrine, that

blending in of human wisdom is not compatible with the

divine message.

 

Factions are wrong - because revelation from God has come,

through the Spirit-inspired apostles (1 Cor. 2). The

apostles - in their preaching and writing - were imparting

truth from the mind of God. We are privileged to have that

message on the pages of the New Testament. Why, therefore,

would anyone desire to promote human factions, when we

have access to divine truth, that saves, instructs and

unites us?

 

Factions are wrong - because their origin is carnal (1

Cor. 3:1-4). One problem in Corinth was, the dangerous

esteem they had toward men; the misplaced loyalty they had

toward certain individuals, and the resulting factions. I

would maintain, this was a symptom of an underlying

problem - they were carnal! "For when one says, 'I am of

Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not

carnal?" To be carnal is to be dominated by something

other than the spiritual reign of Christ in your heart; it

is to be ruled by the flesh, by immature desires. In our

efforts to militantly uphold the truth of the gospel, we

must constantly watch out for the creeping carnal spirit.

We must pray for wisdom, check our motives and strive for

objectivity, justice and balance.

 

Factions are wrong - because men only function as

servants, who must build with care (1 Cor. 3:5-8; 4:1,2).

In Corinth, there was a wrong concept of man, and the role

of men in God's plan. One thing we need to get back to and

stress is: Who are these men (who preach, teach and

write)? What is their legitimate function? How should we

regard them? Certainly, from our perspective, we must

distinguish between the inspired men of the first century,

through whom the gospel was given; and the uninspired

teachers and preachers today. But there's more to be said:

Whether we are talking about the inspired men, like Paul,

Apollos and Cephas, or the uninspired teachers, preachers

and writers of today, still - they function as servants,

who are accountable for their conduct. Those of us who

preach, teach and write - are ministers and servants, not

masters or lords. We need to hear what Paul is saying (if

I may paraphrase): "We are not Saviors; we are not gods

... we are only ministers by whom you have believed, as

the Lord gave to each one; our function is to serve; to

deliver a message from God, to impart truth that all of us

are accountable to. Do not attach yourselves to us ...

attach yourself to the Lord!"

 

Brethren & Friends! There is a place for legitimate,

properly motivated militance in upholding the truth of the

gospel. But there is no place for the promotion of

factions of carnal origin which exalt men and human

wisdom. "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

 

* [See article elsewhere in this issue by W.R. Jones, on

Rom. 16:17,18.]

 

 

 

"Mark and Avoid"

(Rom. 16:17-18)

By W.R. Jones

 

 There can be no doubt that Christians are commanded to

"mark and avoid" certain members of the church. It is

practiced very little in the overall picture, I am sorry

to say. Churches which choose to ignore the command will

pay a price for their neglect on down the line, even in

this life. It is somewhat like the mechanic on T.V. who

holds the oil filter in his hand and says, "pay me now or

pay me later." He is saying, "$3.00 for a filter now or

$1,200 for a new motor later." It is not pleasant for

Christians to "mark and avoid" at the moment; so we have a

tendency to ignore the divine instruction. We trade

immediate relief for future disaster. We are commanded to

"mark" both the bad and the good. Let us now consider the

following passages.

 

"Mark" The Evil Ones

 (Romans 16:17-18) "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."

 

 The word "mark" is from (skopeo) which means "to look at,

behold, watch, contemplate;" which is used metaphorically

of "looking to." It is used (Romans 16:17) of a warning

against those who cause divisions, and in (Philippians

3:17) of observing those who walk uprightly that

Christians might choose to walk after the example of the

apostle and his fellow workers. In (Luke 11:35) (skopeo)

is translated "take heed."

 

 The word "avoid" is from (ekklino) which means, "to turn

away from, to turn aside, turning away from those who

cause offences and occasions of stumbling, turning away

from division makers and errorists." It seems that we are

enjoined to keep out of their way and not fall in with

them. Shun them, having nothing to do with them. It

appears to me that this would pretty much demand absolute

avoidance. The reason is obvious. If a quarrelsome person

is left to himself he will soon have nobody with which to

quarrel.

 

 The church had not been in existence very long when false

teachers entered the scene. (Acts 15:1) "And certain men

which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, {and

said}, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses,

ye cannot be saved." Paul called them "false brethren."

(Galatians 2:4) "And that because of false brethren

unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our

liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might

bring us into bondage." In fact, the books of Galatians

and II Corinthians were written in part to counteract

their poisonous doctrine. It seems these false teachers

were working for their own sensual aggrandizement, they

served their own belly. In all likelihood they would be

coming to Rome with their "missionary zeal," but not with

"missionary love." Their smooth and fair speech could

easily beguile the hearts of the innocent. Paul is calling

for a strong, sharp, unhesitating stroke to take the wind

out of their sails. These false teachers were sometime

zealous in their disruptive work because of their jealousy

of God's accepted leaders. Whatever their motive, they are

very destructive of God's cause.

 

 I am sure you have observed that the first passages under

consideration deal with "false teachers." But, what about

those who otherwise "walk disorderly?" "For we hear that

there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner,

not working at all, but are busybodies." (II Thessalonians

3:11) Verse (14) gives the answer: "And if any man obey

not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no

company with him, that he may be ashamed." Regardless of

whether it be a false teacher, or one among us who walks

disorderly, or one who has chosen to sever fellowship form

us and is in sin, the action should be the same. We must

"note" them, "mark and avoid" them. "Marking" starts with

the public announcement of their spiritual demise.

"Avoiding" is how we react toward them in the days that

follow. Both of these take great courage.

 

Mark The Good Ones

 In (Philippians 3:17) Paul writes, "Brethren, be

followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as

ye have us for an ensample." "Mark" here means to fix the

attention on and is used in order to imitate. In (Romans

16:17) it is used in order to "avoid." Paul says,

"brethren be followers together of me." In (I Corinthians

11:1) he adds, "as I also am of Christ."Christians are to

pick out men and women in the church who are worthy of

imitation and make "note" of them. We are to "mark" those

good examples for our encouragement. It is regrettable,

but some focus on the "failures" in the church rather than

the "successes." Let us remember the advice of the

Psalmist. "Mark the blameless {man}, and observe the

upright; For the future of {that} man {is} peace." (Psalms

37:37).

 

 What keeps us from obeying the Lord's commands to "mark"

good men among the saints to be heroes? Most of the time

it is because our values are misplaced. What keeps us from

obeying the Lord's command to "mark and avoid" wicked

brethren? Sometime, relatives are involved. On occasions,

close friends are involved. It may even include someone

with financial power and we are afraid of the effect on

us. But, brethren, when all our excuses are given, God's

instructions are still there. We need the attitude of

Peter and the rest of the apostles who said, "We ought to

obey God rather than men," (Acts 5:29).

 

 

 

   The Final Page

 

There were over 100 downloads of the first issue of EXPOSITORY FILES

(MAC & DOS versions, AOL and Compuserve, total). We have no way of

getting an accurate count of how many readers re-uploaded into local

BBS networks. So, we are pleased, in fact, quite impressed with the

interest.

 

Shortly after the upload of this issue, the editors departed for

Tampa, Florida to attend the annual FLORIDA COLLEGE LECTURES. If you

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Till March, good reading ...