DOCTRINAL CONVICTIONS

The church at Antioch, featured in Acts 11:19-15:41, has always been a shining example to me for what a New Testament church needs to be. I have preached numerous messages about this. One series I have looks at “The Model Missionary Church,” from Acts 11:19-21; “The Model Church Member,” in Acts 11:22-26; “The Model Church Leader,” in Acts 11:27-30. So, is it any wonder that the title of Jeff Iorg’s book called, “The Case for Antioch: A Biblical Model for a Transformational Church,” captured my attention? In chapter six, he states that one of the marks of this model church is “Doctrinal Convictions.” Here is how Iorg begins:

Doctrine can be a polarizing word. It sounds dry and boring to some, divisive and legalistic to others. Churches sometimes soften their doctrinal positions, or at least mute their intensity, to lessen this tension and become more attractive to unbelievers. That effort, though well intended, is a misapplication of Paul’s example of becoming “all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). Flexibility in missionary lifestyle doesn’t equal and must not include compromising doctrinal integrity, especially truth about the gospel. In Antioch, Paul broke new ground in contextualizing the gospel’s presentation but without compromising its message. On the contrary, he undertook extreme measures to defend its purity. Jesus taught a clear gospel. Paul and other New Testament writers articulated its theological nuances as well as its implications for daily living. Healthy churches uphold the gospel and its discipleship demands for believers. Transformational churches stand for truth rather than dilute the message and explain away its requirements for holy living. (pp. 98-99, Kindle edition).

He goes on to note that at Antioch, they established hills “to die on.” These were fundamentals of the faith worth fighting for, and yet there were other matters of preference, instead of principles, that should not divide the church. This was codified in a major church business meeting in Acts 15. The outcome of that was an explosive evangelistic expansion into Gentile territory. Our message must be defended, but methodology can be debated, and that way the mission is not distracted. The old axiom is: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”

Saying this is one thing, and doing it another matter. Just read the New Testament! You will see the application of this principle quite challenging. Yet, it, it must be done. Here is how we try to work it out in the churches I serve in the Haywood Baptist Association.

We have essentials that are stated in The Baptist Faith and Message 2000.  To be part of our association requires these be affirmed. Sadly, during my time serving in the role of Mission Strategist, we have had to remove one of our churches that would not align with this doctrine. We will be united in these essentials. There is no room for debate.

But, within that there are non-essentials where we call for liberty. For example, we have pastors and churches that while agreeing that salvation is solely by grace through faith in Christ, differ on exactly how that salvation comes, some holding to traditional Baptist evangelism methods and others defending a Reformed view. All of our pastors and churches believe that Christ is literally coming the second time, judging the world, and that in eternity there will be a heaven for the saved and a hell for the sinners.  Yet, there are varied views on how this will work out. It makes for some interesting debates in Pastor’s Conference, and especially around the lunch table following. 

That calls for charity—for Christian love among the brethren. I will not compromise my views on soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) in my preaching and teaching. I am not a Calvinist, but I can work with, love, and support those who are, so long as they believe, “Jesus saves!”  Nor will I personally bend in my eschatology (the doctrine of last things), as I am a dispensationalist who believes in the rapture of the church and the return of Christ to reign for a thousand years on earth. We have preachers and churches who see the way the end times works out differently, yet I can embrace them and encourage them so long as they affirm, “Jesus is coming again!”

This can be messy. It was in the first century and it still is in the twenty-first century. But, we cannot compromise our core convictions. Sound doctrine must be embraced and taught in our churches. When “love” becomes an excuse to tolerate anything and everything in beliefs and behavior it is not truly love. It is liberalism and licentiousness. We must also guard against legalism where we make mountains out of molehills and turn our personal preferences into dogma. 

May the Holy Spirit guide us through the Holy Scriptures to steadfastly hold to doctrinal convictions!

VENGEANCE AND VINDICATION

At the time John was given the Revelation, he was in exile on Patmos. Intense persecution from pagan Rome was seeking to eradicate Christianity from the earth. The old Apostle had lost all his fellow Apostles, one by one to martyrdom. It would be easy to despair, save Christ came with a Word of hope, to let him know there would ultimately be vengeance and vindication for the church. While it may still seem to us that the other side is winning, may we be reminded that victory is assured!  Let us consider this as we examine Revelation 8:1-6.

It begins with THE SEAL, “When He opened the seventh seal,” (8:1a). Earlier, John had seen a seven-sealed scroll, (5:1). This symbolized the title-deed to the universe. Search was made for someone worthy to possess that title-deed and open the scrolls, and no angel above, nor man on earth, neither the dead or demon below was worthy, (5:2-3). John wept in despair. But John was told not to cry, and brushing the tears from his eyes, he saw the worthy Lion of Judah, who was also the Lamb of God, take the scroll from His Father’s hand. Jesus, the Son of God, is declared the only One worthy to take the scroll and open the seals, (5:4-7).  A great worship celebration rises in anticipation of the consummation of history in Christ’s victory, (5:8-14). 

Chapter six pictures the Lamb opening the seals of the scroll, and under each seal a judgment is unleashed on a Christ-rejecting world. They did not want Jesus then, they do not want Him now, but never forget that He is Sovereign and in giving them what they crave they will find condemnation.

When we arrive at chapter seven there comes THE SILENCE, “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour,” (8:1b). No strumming of harps, no singing of praise, no shouts of worship, no shuffling of angels’ feet as heard in chapter 7. This silence speaks louder than words—a sacred pause in the judgments that fell in chapter six. It is a moment to catch our breath for the opening of the seventh and final seal. The Judge has come into the courtroom.  All gathered there are silent.  The condemned await the pronouncing of the sentence.

Contemplate THE SIGNIFICANCE.

“And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.” (8‬:‭1‬-‭6‬‬).

Beneath the seventh seal, there are seven trumpets that will sound, and each trumpet blast brings a judgment.  Four of those trumpet judgments are described in this chapter.  Trumpet one sounds—hail and fire destroy one third of earth’s vegetation, (v. 7).  Trumpet two sounds—what may well be an asteroid strikes the sea with the force of a nuclear explosion and tidal waves decimate the ships and the shoreline, (v. 8-9).  The third trumpet sounds—a comet with poisonous gas or a meteor with radioactive matter disintegrates on entering the atmosphere, poisoning a third of the fresh water, (v. 10-11).  The fourth trumpet sounds—smoke from the fires and dust from the impacts upon earth—fills the skies with a third of the light dimmed by the cloud, (v. 12-13).

You do not want to hear those trumpets of doom.  You want to hear the trumpet of deliverance, (1 Thess.4:16-17)!  We must appeal to sinners to come to Christ—to flee to Him for salvation!  There is an urgency to sharing the Gospel globally, for there is rapidly approaching a day when judgment will be fixed and final. 

The prayers of the saints are mentioned as sacred incense in 5:8. We are reminded that our prayers are stored up—not forgotten and left unanswered. Specifically, the prayers of the persecuted through the ages—the cry for justice will in God’s time be answered.  

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” (6‬:‭9‬-‭11‬‬).

We see in chapter 8 and the opening of the seventh seal and the sounding of the trumpets that those prayers for vengeance and vindication will be answered, (8:3-6).

OUR BLESSED HOPE!

Whatever problems you have had in your past, or struggles you have in the present, know this—a child of God has a glorious future—our blessed hope!  We see this in Revelation 7. Specifically, I understand these verses point to those who come to Christ in the future Great Tribulation, but spiritually these promises apply to all God’s people. 

There is the promise of SALVATION, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” (v. 14). Apart from Christ, there is no hope. We cannot wash away the stain of our sins by the sprinkling of water, or the sacraments we observe, or the self-effort in religion we exert. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us. Yet, Hallelujah, His blood does wash us, and we shall stand before a Holy God in white robes!

Further, we find the promise of SERVICE, “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them,” (v. 15).  When I was a child and heard preachers speak of Heaven, it seemed that all we would do is float around on a cloud, strumming a harp, and that seemed rather boring. Yet, heaven will be a place where we will employ the gifts God has given us, unencumbered by the toil and travail of thorns and thistles. It will be service without sweat! 

The promise of SATISFACTION, “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat,” (v. 16).  This world is under the curse of sin, and so there is hunger, thirst, and  a scorching sun—paradise has become more like perdition. Nothing this world offers brings lasting satisfaction. Yet, there is coming a day when the curse is reversed. God’s people will be blessed with continual provision, and thus perpetual satisfaction!

The promise of SERENITY“for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (v. 17‬‬). What a beautiful picture of peace! These words remind us of Psalm 23, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” (v. 1-2).

In this fallen creation, we sometimes enjoy an oasis in the desert, but before long we find ourselves once more in the valley of the shadow of death. The tears flow like a river as we face the death of loved ones, and our own demise. Heartaches and disappointments abound. Yet, our hope is in knowing that God will personally wipe away our tears when we reach the glory of eternity! Suffering and sorrow will be supplanted by serenity!

What a blessed hope!  Press on weary pilgrim; the Celestial City awaits! “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever,” (Ps. 23:6b).

ANOINTED AS ANTIOCH

The Gospel had come to the Gentiles. The power of the Holy Spirit led to breakthrough in the city of Antioch. In his book, “The Case for Antioch,” by Jeff Iorg, he presents the first characteristic of a transformational church as being spiritual power, using Antioch as the model, (pp. 42-59, Kindle edition). He points out that “three specific references to the Holy Spirit,” are stated in Acts 11:24, 28, and 13:2-4.  I would say that the Spirit’s work is summarized in Acts 11:21 with this: “the hand of the Lord was with them.”

The church was birthed at Pentecost by the coming of the Spirit in life-giving power. The book of Acts is not so much the Acts of the Apostles, as it is the Acts of the Holy Spirit (using the Apostles, of course). Then, as the church followed the Spirit’s direction and experienced the Spirit’s dynamic, we see a global move of God unleashed that has changed the course of history for eternity!

The reality is that, “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down,” as the old hymn says—calling us to pray as the people of God for such a Divine encounter. If the hand of the Lord is not with us, then ZERO of eternal significance will be accomplished. Maybe we get kudos here and are recognized in the denominational press, but Jesus said, “for without  Me you can do NOTHING,” (John 15:5b, emphasis added).

Our world does not need what human hands can accomplish in the energy of the flesh. All that will transform lives is a church where the hand of the Lord is at work in the power of the Spirit!  Certainly, He will work through us—we are the Body of Christ—but it will not be by human ability, but heavenly anointing that life-giving and life-changing results are seen. Let us seek with all our heart that in our preaching of the Word, our assembling for worship, and our going out in witness to be anointed as Antioch.

FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran preacher in Germany during Hitler’s reign of terror. In his book, “The Cost of Discipleship,” he wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”  By this, he echoed the words of Christ, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me,” (Matt. 16:24). It is a spiritual principle. Every believer must die to himself and live for Christ. But, it can also be a literal experience.  It was for Bonhoeffer, whom the Nazis imprisoned and executed on April 9, 1945 as a martyr for Christ. 

We are called to be “faithful until death,”  and the Lord promises, “I will give you the crown of life,” (Rev. 2:10). The testimony of many saints through the ages has been sealed with their own blood. It was true in the first century. It is happening in the twenty-first century. Believers are being slaughtered by the Marxists in Asia and Muslims in Africa. 

We have enjoyed a season of peace and protection in the West, but that may end at some point soon. In fact, Revelation 6:9-11 speaks of a future period of intense persecution that is coming to the world.

Note that there are two reasons stated for their martyrdom. 

THEY WILL BE MARTYRS FOR THE TRUTH,”slain for the word of God.”  Satan, the father of lies, hates the Truth. Through the ages and in this future time, those who have courageously preached the truth of Scripture have found themselves attacked and even slain in an attempt to silence them. But, the Word of God is indestructible. Our Lord declared, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” So, may every preacher stand tall and stay true to the Word of God, whatever the cost!

THEY WILL BE MARTYRS FOR THEIR TESTIMONY, “slain…for the testimony which they held.”  These tenaciously hold on to their testimony under the threat of death. The world despises those who give absolute allegiance to Christ as Lord. The testimony of our salvation—that Christ is the Only Way, the Only Truth, and the Only Life—incites the fury of those who hate Jesus and His people. Let all the people of God be unwavering in their witness. Though most will reject it, some will receive it. 

Remember the words of the old hymn, “The way of the cross leads home.”

THE LION WHO IS THE LAMB

Do not miss the forest for the trees!  That expression reminds us that we can become so absorbed with details as to miss the big picture. That often happens when we study the last book of the Bible, getting bogged down in the details and forget it is, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1:1). In chapter five, we are reminded that He is the Lion who is the Lamb.

Consider, THE TITLE, (v. 1-2). We see a scroll. This is the title deed to the universe. It rests in the right hand of the Lord of Glory—our Father and our God. Who would be worthy to take that from His hand?

Note, THE TEARS, (v. 3-4). We hear the sorrow. “No one was found worthy,” Not an angel in heaven, a man on earth, or the dead under ground. This world is full of sorrow—the result of the curse of sin and death. Mere mortals are incapable of putting it right. Man broke it, but cannot fix it. Is there then no hope?

Observe, THE TRIUMPH, (v. 5-7). There is a Savior!  He is the Lion, (v. 5)—the LORD Jesus who is worthy!  In Him, the Old Covenant is fulfilled—all the promises made to Abraham and David. The focus is on His Sovereignty. He is the Lamb, (v. 6-7)—the Lord JESUS who is worthy! In Him, the New Covenant is provided—all the penalty of sin has been paid by His body and blood given for us. The focus is on His sacrifice. The Son rightfully takes the title deed from the Father, attested to by the Spirit, “the seven Spirits of God,” speaking of the Spirit’s perfection.  Salvation is the work of the Triune God!

Hear, THE TESTIMONY, (v. 8-14). There is a song. Twenty four elders, representing all God’s redeemed—the children of Israel in the twelve tribes and the church of God in the twelve apostles—offer worship to the Lion who is the Lamb. He is the answer to our prayers, (v. 8) and the object of our praise, (v. 9-14). The halls of heaven resound with this mighty melody. He alone is worthy of our worship!  

Let us begin warming up for that glorious time to come, as we gather with the Lord’s people in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s Day to sing the Lord’s praise!

YOU ARE WORTHY, O LORD!

God alone is worthy of our praise. Heaven abounds with His worship. He is the Creator of all and the existence of all creation is not only by Him, but for Him. The Lord is the originator of all things and the object of all thanksgiving.

God alone is worthy to receive GLORY. Glory is the very essence of His being and the vocal expression of our blessing of Him. He is altogether glorious.

God alone is worthy to receive HONOR. He is the Most High and merits our highest praise. He is above all. 

God alone is worthy to receive POWER. Omnipotence is the theological term. God is all-powerful, for so the word means. He is the Almighty.

Our worship will be the order of eternity. So, on earth we are to rehearse for that heavenly chorus that we will join someday!  I pray that you reflect on God’s glory, honor, and power today, then on the Lord’s Day assemble with God’s people in His house to give Him the worship He desires and deserves. Thus, you will get a foretaste of Heaven!