In recent days the subject of hell has made religious news because Pastor Rob Bell of Mars Hill Bible Church published a book entitled, LOVE WINS: A BOOK ABOUT HEAVEN, HELL, AND THE FATE OF EVERYONE WHO EVER LIVED. As a popular writer and speaker, Bell has influence among the Chistian community. Evangelical preacher, John Piper, has bascially said Pastor Bell has departed from the truth. President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Al Mohler, has called the book "disastrous." One pastor in North Carolina was dismissed from his position because he endorsed the book.
Pastor Bell said it all started when someone saw an exhibit in his church that quoted Mohandas Gandhi. A visitor said, "Gandhi is in hell." "Really?" bell was thinking. "Gandi's in hell? He is? We have confirmation of this? Somebody knows this? Without a doubt? And that somebody decided to take on the responsibility for the rest of us to know?"
I am going to address this subject on Sunday, September 11, in worship at First Baptist Church, Nevada. Here are some scritpures to check out ahead of time: Joshua 24:15, John 3:18, Revelation 22:17, John 16:8-11, John 5:39-40, John 8:21-30. Look up other scriptures in the Bible on the subject of hell. And send me your thoughts and questions at billcox@fbchurch.net.
The subject of hell was on the cover of TIME magazine in April of this year. The question was asked, "No hell?" Let's explore this important subject together.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
RASNICS: LONGEVITY IN A CHURCH
In our society, relationships are thrown away about as quickly as trash in a dumpster. The number of marital relationships that are short-lived seems ever to increase. And personal and family relationships with churches also seem short-lived. Some of this has been referred to as "church-hopping" in which persons skip from one church to another always looking for a better deal.
No doubt sometimes changing churches can be a positive move. Afterall, pastors sometimes change churches because they are led by God. Lay persons can also be led by God to other churches. Others change because of geographical moves or other considerations. In fact, if persons move from one location to another it is hoped they would find another church family instead of dropping out of church.
I became aware of the importance of longeity in church relationships as I attended a reception for Jack and Robena Rasnic who have been members of First Baptist Church for over 60 years. Rev. James Dinkins was the pastor and Robena was in what was called the "Bride's Class" with former member, Ruth Frazier. It was in First Baptist Church they found places of service and a foundation for the faith of their children who grew up in First Baptist Church.
Jack worked on the railroad in the days when the railroad was a major employer in Nevada. Robena was active in missions and in the sympathy committee. The sympathy committee provides meals for family members of those who have lost loved ones. Robena organized-- and I mean "organized" the meals. When she stepped aside from the leadership position, she handed in a book that recorded every meal, the family name, the menu, and the date for every funeral dinner through the years. How thorough can one get? Bill and Ciny Wynn would not miss the Rasnic reception because Jack always came over to their daughter's wheel chair to talk with Kelly.
Jack and Roben have seen many changes in the world, the community, and in First Baptist Church through the years. Like many people, I am sure there are times when they were not in agreement or disappointed with First Baptist Church. I don't think they were enthused about moving to our new location at Highland. The old location at Main and Hunter was familiar to them. However, they eventually came right along.
This says something about the Rasnics. Through thick and thin, they have made FBC their church home. They celebrate a long-term marriage. They also celebrate a long-time relationship with a church. To do that people have to adapt, to change, and to grow. They have to work through problems instead of running from them. More of that kind of fidelity would make a big difference in our day.
No doubt sometimes changing churches can be a positive move. Afterall, pastors sometimes change churches because they are led by God. Lay persons can also be led by God to other churches. Others change because of geographical moves or other considerations. In fact, if persons move from one location to another it is hoped they would find another church family instead of dropping out of church.
I became aware of the importance of longeity in church relationships as I attended a reception for Jack and Robena Rasnic who have been members of First Baptist Church for over 60 years. Rev. James Dinkins was the pastor and Robena was in what was called the "Bride's Class" with former member, Ruth Frazier. It was in First Baptist Church they found places of service and a foundation for the faith of their children who grew up in First Baptist Church.
Jack worked on the railroad in the days when the railroad was a major employer in Nevada. Robena was active in missions and in the sympathy committee. The sympathy committee provides meals for family members of those who have lost loved ones. Robena organized-- and I mean "organized" the meals. When she stepped aside from the leadership position, she handed in a book that recorded every meal, the family name, the menu, and the date for every funeral dinner through the years. How thorough can one get? Bill and Ciny Wynn would not miss the Rasnic reception because Jack always came over to their daughter's wheel chair to talk with Kelly.
Jack and Roben have seen many changes in the world, the community, and in First Baptist Church through the years. Like many people, I am sure there are times when they were not in agreement or disappointed with First Baptist Church. I don't think they were enthused about moving to our new location at Highland. The old location at Main and Hunter was familiar to them. However, they eventually came right along.
This says something about the Rasnics. Through thick and thin, they have made FBC their church home. They celebrate a long-term marriage. They also celebrate a long-time relationship with a church. To do that people have to adapt, to change, and to grow. They have to work through problems instead of running from them. More of that kind of fidelity would make a big difference in our day.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
How often should the Lord's Supper (communion) be celebrated?
At First Baptist Church, Nevada, we celebrate the Lord's Supper each Sunday in two contemporary worship experiences and once a month in the traditional service. Someone commented recently, "It is not the Baptist way to have the Lord's Supper every week." So, as people fanatically committed to the authority of scripture, I asked what does the Bible say about this matter?
The truth is the Bible does not really instruct on how often to take the Lord's Supper. The scripture does say, "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (Acts 20:7) While some could argue this was a common meal, the context indicates it was probably the Lord's Supper. This is a verse that most people use who practice a weekly observance. Historical records bear out the early church practiced weekly, and sometimes daily, the Lord's Supper.
Those who take the Lord's Supper monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, have no scriptures to back up the practices. That does not make it wrong however. The key for Paul is this-- "as often as" you do it (I Corinthians 11:26) you do it to show the Lord's death. That could be daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Some who argue that once a week is too often might also ask the question-- is it better to just listen to a sermon, pray, or sing, once a month or quarter. Some who feel like a weekly observance makes it too familiar and lack meaning might ask, "Should I not kiss my wife or husband every week so it will be more meaningful when I do it?"
THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE says this about the Lord's Supper: "The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memoralize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming." That is true however often it is observed.
The truth is the Bible does not really instruct on how often to take the Lord's Supper. The scripture does say, "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (Acts 20:7) While some could argue this was a common meal, the context indicates it was probably the Lord's Supper. This is a verse that most people use who practice a weekly observance. Historical records bear out the early church practiced weekly, and sometimes daily, the Lord's Supper.
Those who take the Lord's Supper monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, have no scriptures to back up the practices. That does not make it wrong however. The key for Paul is this-- "as often as" you do it (I Corinthians 11:26) you do it to show the Lord's death. That could be daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Some who argue that once a week is too often might also ask the question-- is it better to just listen to a sermon, pray, or sing, once a month or quarter. Some who feel like a weekly observance makes it too familiar and lack meaning might ask, "Should I not kiss my wife or husband every week so it will be more meaningful when I do it?"
THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE says this about the Lord's Supper: "The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memoralize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming." That is true however often it is observed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)