As the twentieth century has faded and the twenty-first century has dawned there has been a proliferation of statements from various religious leaders warning man of the coming of the antichrist and the end of time. A popular description of the antichrist suggests that Christ’s return to the earth will be immediately preceded by the appearance of some powerful political personality who will make a dramatic appearance in history. One prominent preacher says, “Overnight, he will become the by-word of the world. He is going to be distinguished as supernatural . . . He will have a magnetic personality, be personally attractive, and a powerful speaker.” Through the years the antichrist has been variously identified as Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Kruschev, Castro, Kissinger, and Hussein, among others. There has never been agreement among proponents as to the identity of the so-called antichrist.

However, the Bible plainly identifies the antichrist, and he doesn’t fit the description commonly attributed to him by various religious leaders of today. The term “antichrist” is found only five times in scripture, and they are all in the epistles of 1 John and 2 John (1 Jn. 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 Jn. 7). Note the description found on the pages of divinely inspired literature.

1. The antichrist is a contemporary with the apostle John. John says that “even now have there arisen many antichrists” (1 Jn. 2:18). He further states with reference to the antichrist, “and now it is in the world already” (1 Jn. 4:3). John did not speak of him in terms of a person or organization that would exist in some remote future such as describes the current propaganda regarding the antichrist.

2. There were many antichrists who lived in John’s day (1 Jn. 2:18; 2 Jn. 7). Present-day proponents try to attach a single mysterious figure, political ruler, or dictator to the identity of the antichrist. Such attempts are in error.

3. The antichrists are former Christians who left the faith. John mentions that the antichrists “went out from us . . .” (1 Jn. 2:19); in other words, they were individuals who had at one time been part of God’s spiritual family, but were no longer so. They had renounced the gospel by which they were saved. Thus, the antichrist is not some world political leader who is yet to come. They were people who were alive in John’s day and had turned away from the Lord’s church.

4. The antichrist was one who denied the deity of Jesus. John asks, “Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist . . .” (1 Jn. 2:22). Any person, then or now, who denies that Jesus is the Son of God is against Christ.

5. The antichrist was one who denied the incarnation of Christ. John says the person who did not confess that Jesus is come in the flesh is the antichrist (1 Jn. 4:2-3; 2 Jn. 7). One of the most amazing facts of the redemption story is that the divine Son of God was born of the virgin Mary, and both lived and died as a human (Phil. 2:5-8). To deny the humanity of Christ is to be at odds with divine revelation.

Christians need not fear the political, economic, or military developments of the present day. The Bible does not speak of a world political figure that will suddenly appear on the scene in advance of the second coming of Jesus. In fact, there will be no “early warning system” in advance of Christ’s coming. We are urged by Christ to “be ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh”(Mt. 24:44). Just live each day as if it were the last. By so doing, we prepare ourselves for the end of time.  wot

In One Accord

 Glenn Colley, Collierville, Tennessee

 I have never believed that a man must know the Greek or Hebrew language in order to study the word of God, obey it, and go to heaven. I am fully persuaded that we have reliable translations in English which we can confidently use as our standard for belief and practice.

Nevertheless, a Bible student can surely grow in understanding some impressive details of scripture by sometimes pursuing a Greek word used in the New Testament. Let’s enjoy one such word today.

The English word is “accord.” Watch how the Holy Spirit carefully placed the word in these verses in the book of Acts:

 •         “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14).

•         “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1).

•         “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46).

•         “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch . . .)” (Acts 5:12).

•         “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul” (Acts 15:25).

 The hard-to-pronounce Greek word is homothumadon, and it is found twelve times in the New Testament. Eleven times it is translated “with one accord,” and one time it is translated, “with one mind.”

Of this word Strong’s Lexicon of the Greek Language says this: “A unique Greek word, used ten of its twelve New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community.”

Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to “rush along” and “in unison.” The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church.

Listen Christians. The Lord wants us to live and work in sweet harmony, in symphony, in one accord.

Observe that the apostle Paul commands such in Philippians 2:2 when he writes, “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” To work in unison with my brethren is not then a mere matter of preference if I choose to follow Jesus faithfully. I must do this.

When the church meets for worship and Bible study during each week, are we in one accord? Do I fulfill my duty to be present and ready?

When the elders challenge the church with new programs of service, are we in one accord? Do they know they can count on me? “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).

Do we make a conscious effort to weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom. 12:15)?

There is a sense of security and hope which comes from working in symphony with other Christians. And it is reciprocal. That is, we derive the joy, while at the same time giving the joy. God made Christians to live in one accord.  wot

What is “Conversion”?

 J.C. Choate, Winona, Mississippi

 According to Webster’s Dictionary, “convert” means “to turn around, to transform, to change from one belief to another.” Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words defines “convert” as “to turn about; the word implies repentance, a turning from and a turning to, as in turning away from a life of sin and turning to God.”

   There are three phases of conversion: a change of heart, a change of life, and a change of state.

   We are talking, of course, about conversion to Christ, what it means to become a believer in Him, submitting to Him, changing to conform to His teaching, turning from sin and wrong to live the kind of life Christ wants us to live.

   We are not talking about being bribed to pretend to be following Christ, or taking money and other material things so that one can be counted in a list as being a “Christian.” Neither are we talking about “converting” so that our children can attend some superior school, or that we might receive other rewards.

   Actually, if one is willing to wear the name “Christian” or to pretend to obey Christ because of such gifts or rewards that might be offered, he is not converting to Christianity, but he is simply going through a routine or pretending to become a Christian. Such things do not actually make one a Christian in the sight of God. They are an insult to Him and to all who wear that precious Name.

   There is not enough money in the world to buy a single soul for Christ! If one is willing to sell his soul for material gain, he deceives himself and mocks God.

   To their own terrible shame, there are some who falsely call themselves “Christian” who would stoop to offer material things or advantages in order to influence people to “convert” to Christ. Their behavior is contrary to everything Christ and His disciples taught, contrary to everything written in the New Testament. True Christians do not take or give bribes. We can safely mark it down that if a person would offer a bribe, trying to buy converts to Christ, he is not a representative of Christ but of Satan. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 describes such a person: “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

   Christ said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23).

   To be converted to Christ one must hear the word of God (Rom. 10:17), believe in God and in Christ as the Son of God (Heb. 11:6), believe the facts of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4), be willing to repent or turn from the old life of sin (Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30), confess with his mouth before others that he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Mt. 10:32-33), and be baptized in water for the forgiveness of his sins (Acts 2:38).

   On the day of Pentecost when the Lord’s church had its beginning, after the people had been taught of Christ and had become believers in Him, they wanted to know what they must do in order to be saved. Peter and the apostles answered, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

   A few days later, as the apostles were speaking to another group of people, they said, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). In this passage, “baptism” of Acts 2:38 is replaced with the word “converted,” and “the gift of the Holy Spirit” is said to be “the times of refreshing.” But in both of these verses, conversion is the subject being discussed.

    Eleven cases of conversion are recorded in the book of Acts. In every case, the gospel—the good news that Christ had come to save man from his sin—was preached, the people heard and became believers, repented (turned away from sin and turned to God), confessed their faith in Christ as the Son of God, and were baptized in water for the remission of sins. This was true conversion.

   In being converted, they changed their minds from not believing in Christ to believing that He is the Son of God; they changed their lives from living in sin to following the goodness and purity of Christ; they changed their state from being lost in Satan’s kingdom of darkness, to being saved in Christ’s kingdom of light. This change of state was accomplished as they were born again spiritually (Jn. 3:3,5) through baptism (Mk. 16:16). In doing this, they entered Christ, being baptized into His death and raised to walk that new life with Him (Rom. 6:3-4). This birth through baptism put them into Christ’s family, His church, so that they could live the remainder of their lives as the children of God (Rev. 2:10).

   This is true conversion to Christ. It is done sincerely, from the heart, and it is a lifetime commitment to worship and serve the Lord daily, according to all that He instructed in the New Testament.

   Have you been converted to Christ?    wot

Aren’t All Churches Basically the Same?

 Brad Harrub, Ph.D., Montgomery, Alabama (Apologetics Press) 

The fight has taken place in many places: pulpits, newspapers, backyards, subways,or even at the dinner table. What makes a church the church? Are all churches the same, and if not, how can we prove it? Members of denominations stand firm in their belief that all churches are basically the same, and therefore

the attitude prevails that “you have yours and I have mine.”Unfortunately manyBible studies end at this juncture, because Christians are not sure how to proceed. Should they simply accept this answer in an effort to “keep the peace,” or should they dig in their heels and prepare for the fight that might well ensue? Thankfully God’s Word makes the decision much easier. Using just seven short scriptures, it is a simple matter to lay out the history of the one true church, which then allows Christians the opportunity to ask: “Are you a member of this church that the Bible describes?” This same idea has even drifted into the Church of Christ, as individuals seek to please men and build houses of entertainment under the guise of “community churches.” I encourage you to write down the following scriptures, which will prove to be a useful tool in answering the question, “Aren’t all churches basically the same?”

1. Matthew 16:13-18. In this passage, Christ states: “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” We learn first and foremost, that Christ is going to be the founder of His church.

2. In Mark 9:1, we read that Jesus “said unto them: ‘Verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.’” This verse teaches that the church was started during the lives of men who walked with Christ. Where does that leave the denominations that were started long after the first century had passed?

3. Christ, speaking in Luke 24:46-47, said: “Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Quite simply, Christ informs us that the church was to begin in Jerusalem. Thus, any church that had its origins in America, or any other place besides Jerusalem, is not the church being discussed by Christ.

4. Acts 2. This entire chapter holds many great teaching examples. We learn in verse 5: “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven”—indicating that the events taking place were occurring in Jerusalem. Verse 14 states: “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, ‘Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words.’” Peter thus had begun to preach the first gospel sermon in Jerusalem. Verse 41 indicates: “They that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls,” demonstrating the necessity of baptism. Verses 46-47 inform us: “They, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” We learn at the end of chapter 2 that the Lord adds us to the church—we do not “join” the church.

5. In speaking to the first-century Christians in Rome, Paul wrote in Romans 12:4-5: “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” This teaches us that we (members of the church) are the body.

6. Ephesians 4:4-6. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. These verses clearly indicate that there is only one body.

7. Colossians 1:16-18. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” The head of the church is Christ, not someone like a “pope.”

From these few verses, we learn four simple, yet important, facts that identify the true church:

 •         It was founded by Christ, not men.

•         It was started during the lives of men who had walked with Jesus Christ.

•         It began in Jerusalem, and then went out to the world.

•         It has Christ as its head, not men.

 Sadly, many of our own brethren mistakenly believe that Christ did not possess enough knowledge regarding founding and organizing a church, and so they feel the need to add manmade traditions or entertainment. Or in an effort to gain numbers, men will often resort to gimmicks not sanctioned by Christ. And yet we were told in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell would not prevail against the true church. It will be here long after the gimmicks, entertainment, and manmade churches have perished. The next time someone asks you, “Aren’t all churches basically the same?,” show them these verses, pointing out these four conditions that identify Christ’s unique church. The only question that then remains is this: Are you a member of the church that is described so vividly in the Bible?   wot

A Passion for Preaching

 Bill Burk, Seagoville, Texas

 The gospel sermon, for some, is the height of drudgery. They, like the Israelites of old, declare, concerning this item of worship, “Oh, what a weariness” (Mal. 1:13). To a considerable number, the best sermons are the shortest. And for others, the only time the need for participation in the discourse arises is when the preacher proclaims, “Let us stand and sing.” It’s interesting that, if the baseball game goes into extra innings, or the football game heads into overtime, or if one’s favorite singer returns to the stage for one more encore, folks just don’t seem to care. Yet if the preacher has something on his heart that takes him a little longer to say than normal, then let the sighing begin.

True, there are a great host of brethren who thrill at the preached message. When they sing “Give me the Bible” they mean it. For them, it cannot be preached too plainly or too often. Why, though, do some folks not possess a passion for preaching? Certainly, the preacher needs to look at himself. Does he study diligently (2 Tim. 2:15)? Does he pray fervently (Jam. 5:16)? Does he live what he preaches (Acts 1:1)? When it is time to preach, does he, with passion, proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ? If any of these ingredients are missing, the preacher shouldn’t be too surprised when he finds a lackluster reception to what he has to say. However, even when a man of God exhausts himself in order to bring the most applicable, spiritually exhilarating lesson he can, there are still those who are not going to be particularly interested. Why?

Perhaps some misunderstand the importance of preaching. It was God’s desire for this message to be preached to all the world (Mk. 16:15-16; Mt. 28:19-20). Paul reminds us that God “manifested His word through preaching” (Tit. 1:3). And let us not forget that “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor. 1:21).

Perhaps some fail to consider the list of Bible preachers. The Bible teaches us that the vast majority of the heroes of faith were preachers. Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Pet. 2:5). Moses preached the message of God to Pharaoh (Ex. 5-11). The prophets were first and foremost preachers (Jer. 20:9; Amos 3:8; 2 Chr. 36:15). John the Baptist was a preacher (Mat. 3:2). The apostles were preachers (cf. the book of Acts). And most importantly, Jesus was a preacher of the gospel (Mk. 1:14,38). This company of preachers says something about the importance of the task.

Perhaps some forget the power of preaching. When God’s word is preached, the very saving power of God is unleashed (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18). The message of the cross has the ability to change a sinner into a saint, to change one who is lost into one who is saved, and to translate one from darkness into light (cf. Col. 1:13). Any thoughtful child of God will remember sermons he has heard that dramatically affected his heart, soul, and life. Preaching is powerful, yet the listener must allow the fuse of God’s dynamite to be lit in his heart (Rev. 22:17).

   The preaching of the gospel has literally changed the world. Through it Christians have been made and saints have been preserved for some 2,000 years. Let us, therefore, develop a passion for the word of God. May we crave it like our necessary food (Job 23:12), and let us love it with all of our hearts (Psa. 119:97). Let us develop a real passion for preaching.        wot

If God Be For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?

 Sam Willcut, Munford, Tennessee

 When we put our absolute faith and trust in God, we will not need to worry or fear whatever happens in our lives. In understanding the providential care and power of God, there are several great lessons to learn as illustrated in the Bible.

Numbers do not matter. In a world filled with wickedness to the point God was determined to destroy it, he found one faithful man named Noah (Gen. 6:8). Think about one family among so many wicked. We also learn this lesson from Gideon in Judges 7. God Himself viewed the army of 32,000 Israelites as too many, whittling the army down to just 300, to fight against the Midianites that “came as grasshoppers for multitude; for they and their camels were without number” (Jud. 6:5). What a great victory ensued, because with God, numbers do not matter.

   Size does not matter. When the Israelites and the Philistines were at war with each other (1 Samuel 17), the Philistine champion named Goliath challenged the Israelites to a simple one‑on‑one match for supremacy. Yet at the barking words of this heathen, all of God’s people “were dismayed, and greatly afraid” (1 Sam. 17:11). It took a “youth” (1 Sam. 17:33) named “David” with enough faith in God to defeat this massive man who was over nine feet tall.

   Age does not matter. In the midst of some of the most wicked kings of Israel and Judah’s history, a boy named Josiah of just eight years took the throne of Judah (2 Kng. 22:1). When he was a teenager of sixteen, “he began to seek after the God of David his father,” and when he was twenty, “he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images” (2 Chr. 34:3). When he was twenty‑six, the book of the law was found in the temple, and he revolutionized the nation by cleansing the country of idolatry and reestablishing the Passover. “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him” (2 Kng. 23:25).

Gender does not matter. While one might think most of the faithful heroes recorded in the Bible are male, do not forget about the wonderful females that exemplified God’s righteousness. Esther literally saved the Israelites single‑handedly. Deborah was the savior of the people, serving as one of the judges of the land. The mother of Moses, Jochebed, hid her son against the laws of the Egyptian land. Rahab saved the Israelites from the Canaanites. A woman named Jael contributed to the victory of the Israelites by killing the enemy captain Sisera (Jud. 4:17‑21).

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).