As a new year approaches, it is important to understand the value of the WORD of God in our lives as well as a proper comprehension of TIME. My prayer is that our eyes will be open to both as we become more rooted in faith while growing in grace.

The Word of God is foundational to Christian faith, providing revelation, guidance, and transformation. However, Scripture presents the Word of God through two Greek terms with distinct meanings: Logos and Rhema. These terms are often used to capture different aspects of God’s communication with humanity, each emphasizing unique ways in which He speaks and reveals His will. Understanding the theology behind Logos and Rhema deepens our comprehension of God’s Word and equips us to discern His voice in our daily lives.

Additionally, the Bible describes time through two Greek words: Chronos and Kairos. These words reflect different aspects of time, highlighting the need for believers to recognize both God’s timing in daily life and His divinely appointed moments. In exploring the theology of Logos and Rhema, alongside Chronos and Kairos, we gain a more profound understanding of God’s communication and His purpose within time.

Logos: The Eternal Word of God

In Scripture, Logos generally refers to the overarching, eternal Word of God. It is often associated with the written Word, the Bible, and with Jesus Christ Himself. The Gospel of John opens with a profound statement about the Logos: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This verse establishes that Logos is not only a message or revelation but is personified in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

Logos embodies the totality of God’s revelation—His wisdom, truth, and character. It includes all Scripture, the full counsel of God’s revealed will, and the person of Jesus, who is the ultimate expression of God’s nature. When we read and study the Bible, we engage with the Logos, understanding God’s heart, His redemptive story, and His commandments for our lives. Logos is consistent, unchanging, and universal, applicable to all people and all times.

Rhema: The Spoken, Personal Word of God

In contrast, Rhema refers to the spoken, specific Word of God. Rhema is a personal, timely message that God communicates to an individual or group, often in a specific situation. While Logos is the general Word for all believers, Rhema is God’s direct and personal word to us. An example of Rhema can be found in Matthew 4:4, where Jesus declares, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (Rhema) that comes from the mouth of God.” Here, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of hearing God’s voice in an immediate and personal way, especially in moments of need or spiritual struggle.

Rhema is frequently associated with guidance, comfort, or conviction. It is God’s living Word applied directly to our circumstances, bringing illumination, encouragement, and direction. For example, during a time of prayer or worship, God may give a believer a specific verse or promise that speaks precisely to their situation—this is Rhema, a word in season.

Both Logos and Rhema are vital for a balanced and vibrant faith. Logos provides us with a solid foundation, while Rhema brings specific, immediate clarity. Logos anchors us in truth, and Rhema breathes life into our current walk, helping us apply God’s wisdom to our unique circumstances.

The Difference Between Chronos and Kairos

Just as Logos and Rhema describe different ways God speaks, Chronos and Kairos describe different aspects of time within which He operates. Understanding these terms helps believers become more sensitive to God’s timing and discern the moments when He moves in unique and powerful ways.

Chronos: This Greek word refers to chronological or sequential time—the kind of time we measure by clocks and calendars. It’s the ordinary passage of days, weeks, and years, capturing the steady, predictable flow of time. Much of life operates within Chronos time, where routines, schedules, and plans unfold in a linear way. Chronos is essential for order and structure; however, it often represents the “ordinary” in contrast to divinely appointed moments.

Kairos: In contrast, Kairos signifies an appointed or opportune time—a moment pregnant with purpose and significance. Kairos moments are divinely orchestrated events that often interrupt Chronos, presenting unique opportunities for God’s purpose to unfold. Unlike Chronos, which is quantitative, Kairos is qualitative, emphasizing the right moment or season rather than a sequence of time. It represents moments when God intervenes, acts, or speaks in a way that brings transformation and shifts circumstances.

Throughout the Bible, we see God’s actions and revelations often occur within Kairos moments. For example, in Mark 1:15, Jesus begins His ministry by proclaiming, “The time (Kairos) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Here, Kairos signifies the arrival of a unique, divine season—the coming of God’s Kingdom through Jesus.

Kairos moments invite us to pause, recognize, and respond to God’s timing. They may come in the form of divine opportunities for ministry, answers to long-standing prayers, or moments of significant spiritual insight and conviction. These are times when God seems to “break through” in a way that calls for immediate attention and action.

How Logos and Rhema Intersect with Chronos and Kairos

Understanding Logos, Rhema, Chronos, and Kairos provides us with a richer framework for discerning God’s voice and timing. The Word of God, whether Logos or Rhema, flows within Chronos but often brings life-changing encounters in Kairos moments. Here’s how these concepts can intersect:

Logos in Chronos: As believers, we engage with the Logos—the Bible—on a daily basis within Chronos time. This consistent, sequential reading and study of Scripture grounds us in truth, builds our understanding of God’s character, and aligns our lives with His will. Logos within Chronos is foundational; it is the steady intake of God’s Word that shapes and sustains our faith.

Rhema in Chronos: Even within the ordinary flow of time, God often gives us Rhema words—specific, personal messages that speak into our current situations. For example, a Scripture may stand out during a morning devotion, providing insight into a particular challenge we are facing. Rhema within Chronos infuses daily life with God’s voice, reminding us of His presence and guidance even in the routine.

Logos in Kairos: There are times when a particular passage or truth from the Logos aligns with a Kairos moment, providing a timely revelation that guides or shifts our lives. For example, a verse about trusting God may come alive during a season of transition or uncertainty, reinforcing God’s promise at a pivotal moment. Logos in Kairos often leads to profound insights or breakthroughs, where God’s Word meets His appointed timing.

Rhema in Kairos: Rhema words given during Kairos moments carry exceptional significance. These are often moments when God speaks directly and powerfully, calling for action, obedience, or transformation. For instance, someone may sense a clear prompting from God to step out in faith or begin a ministry, and this message aligns with a Kairos season of God’s favor and purpose. Rhema in Kairos can result in powerful shifts in direction, bringing about transformation both for the individual and those around them.

Living in Sensitivity to God’s Word and Timing

As believers, understanding these concepts can help us grow in sensitivity to both God’s Word and His timing. Here are practical ways to live in alignment with the theology of Logos, Rhema, Chronos, and Kairos:

Stay Rooted in the Logos: Regularly reading and meditating on Scripture is essential for spiritual growth. The more we engage with God’s Word, the more grounded we become in truth, making us more receptive to Rhema words and able to discern when God is moving in Kairos moments.

Seek and Discern Rhema: In prayer, ask God to speak personally and specifically into your life circumstances. Rhema words often come through prayer, worship, or sudden impressions while reading the Bible. Be attentive to Scriptures that seem highlighted by the Holy Spirit, and test them by aligning them with the full counsel of God’s Logos.

Recognize Kairos Moments: Pay attention to moments when circumstances, timing, or divine promptings seem to converge. These are often God-appointed seasons requiring your response. Kairos moments often challenge us to step out in faith, leave behind routines, or enter new seasons of ministry and growth.

Balance Chronos and Kairos: While we may long for Kairos moments, much of life unfolds in Chronos time. Embrace the steady, everyday faithfulness of walking with God, trusting that He will bring Kairos moments in His timing. God uses both the ordinary and the extraordinary to shape us.

Conclusion:

The concepts of Logos and Rhema, along with Chronos and Kairos, reveal a God who communicates with clarity, purpose, and timing. Logos reminds us of God’s unchanging truth, while Rhema brings His immediate, personal voice into our lives. Chronos represents the faithful rhythm of life, and Kairos calls us to recognize the divine moments of breakthrough. Together, they encourage a life of spiritual attentiveness and readiness, equipping us to grow in faith, respond to God’s leading, and fulfill His purpose.

By grounding ourselves in the Logos, seeking God’s Rhema, and remaining sensitive to His timing, we are better prepared to live as agents of His Kingdom, pushing back darkness and spreading His light. As we grow in our understanding of God’s Word and timing, we become more effective vessels for His purposes, able to discern and embrace the fullness of life He has prepared for us in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments.

In the pages of Scripture, we find a recurring theme of mentorship, discipleship, and generational blessing, passed down from father to son and mentor to disciple. This design is not merely a cultural remnant of ancient Israel but a divine strategy for advancing God’s Kingdom on earth. The role of spiritual fathers—those seasoned in the faith, tested by trials, and shaped by God’s hand—is vital in raising spiritual sons, who, in turn, will stand firm, walk in truth, and pass on this legacy of faith to the next generation. By raising spiritual sons, spiritual fathers pave the way for a biblically prosperous future, one rooted in truth, righteousness, and hope. This generational continuity strikes a blow to the kingdom of darkness, ensuring that the light of the gospel will shine brighter with each passing generation. 

I am convinced that the worst day for the devil should be the death of a spiritual father. Because he knows that there will be 100 sons to rise up and take his place.

The Role of Spiritual Fathers

A spiritual father is not simply someone with more life experience or years in the church but is a disciple of Jesus who has walked closely with God and carries a heart to see others grow and flourish in the faith. Paul exemplifies this role in the New Testament, referring to Timothy as his “beloved son” in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2). Spiritual fathers like Paul are committed to nurturing, guiding, and equipping spiritual sons with wisdom, correction, and encouragement.

The responsibility of a spiritual father is to pass on both sound doctrine and godly character, modeled in his life. He understands that faith is not only taught but caught—by walking alongside spiritual sons, sharing his own victories and failures, and remaining present as a mentor and guide. This relationship cultivates maturity, discernment, and resilience, preparing these sons to face spiritual battles and challenges with courage and faithfulness.

The Ripple Effect on the Kingdom of Darkness

Raising spiritual sons is not just a positive endeavor within the church; it is a direct assault on the kingdom of darkness. When a generation rises up, firmly rooted in their faith, unwavering in truth, and equipped to disciple others, the power of darkness is diminished. The enemy thrives in spiritual ignorance, apathy, and division, but spiritual sons raised with solid biblical foundations counter these forces with knowledge, fervor, and unity.

By raising up faithful leaders who will stand for truth and righteousness, we create a domino effect of spiritual influence that pushes back darkness. These spiritual sons will become torchbearers, advancing the gospel, leading communities, and bringing the transformative light of Christ into every corner of society. Just as Christ declared, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), so each generation of well-trained spiritual leaders fortifies the church, making it an unassailable stronghold against evil.

The Value of Family Training and Family Discipleship

The family is God’s first institution for discipleship and the foundational unit of society. Family discipleship—intentional, consistent, and gospel-centered—is where a biblical legacy begins. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, God commands parents to diligently teach His commandments to their children, to speak of them “when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Family discipleship is not limited to Sunday mornings; it permeates everyday life, shaping values, worldview, and faith.

When families embrace discipleship as their primary mission, they create a cycle of godliness that extends beyond their own household. Sons and daughters raised in a spiritually rich environment will carry that foundation into adulthood, building strong families and communities rooted in Christ. This strength is essential for facing the challenges of a post-Christian culture, where truth is often compromised, and spiritual complacency is common.

The impact of family discipleship reaches far beyond the walls of a single household. Each family that raises spiritually resilient children is strengthening the church as a whole. These sons and daughters will grow to be pastors, missionaries, teachers, business leaders, politicians and citizens who lead lives that reflect God’s Kingdom values, spreading righteousness, justice, and truth wherever they go. This legacy not only blesses future generations but also establishes a firm foundation of faith that makes it increasingly difficult for the kingdom of darkness to gain a foothold.

Preparing a Biblically Prosperous Future

In a biblically prosperous future, spiritual fathers faithfully raise spiritual sons who will do the same, ensuring that each generation stands firmer, grows wiser, and walks closer with God than the last. Such a future is marked by a deep understanding of Scripture, genuine faith in Christ, and a lifestyle of obedience that honors God. When spiritual fathers invest in the lives of others, they sow seeds that will bear fruit for generations, building a legacy that echoes God’s promise to Abraham that “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

This vision calls us to re-embrace the importance of mentorship, intentional discipleship, and family training. The work of raising spiritual sons requires dedication, patience, and self-sacrifice, but the rewards are eternal. By investing in the next generation, spiritual fathers not only leave a legacy of faithfulness but also participate in the advance of God’s Kingdom on earth.

So in conclusion, the future of the church and the strength of the Kingdom’s impact on earth depend on the commitment of spiritual fathers to raise spiritual sons. This generational transfer of wisdom, faith, and godly character is essential in the fight against darkness, equipping each generation to stand resiliently in a world that opposes truth. Family training and discipleship play a pivotal role, cultivating households of faith that serve as a testament to God’s goodness and love. Let us, therefore, take up the call to be spiritual fathers and mothers, investing in the lives of others for the glory of God and the advance of His Kingdom. By doing so, we play a vital part in fulfilling the Great Commission and preparing a prosperous, biblically faithful future that honors God and blesses generations to come.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalms 23:1-6)

Psalm 23 may be the most recognized passage of Scripture of all. It is a preacher’s delight to preach and a teacher’s desire to teach. It is a common read at funerals for both believers and unbelievers. It is memorized by children for Sunday School awards and quoted by children for VBS graduations. Psalm 23 is indeed well known.

What is important to note is how easy it is to simply read over it without knowing the power found therein. Psalm 23 is a genuine and powerful summation of the spiritual life. A deep dive into this Psalm will drive us deep into the heart of God for His children.
 
Over the years, there have been differing opinions as to when David may have written Psalm 23. Some think he may have written it as an old man looking back over his life and reminiscing on the care of the Good Shepherd.

Others believe that he may have written the Psalm as a young man in the middle of crisis and chaos under great attack from his enemies. However, I am convinced that David was just a shepherd boy tending his father’s sheep on the hills of Judea. I can see David sitting on a rock looking out over the pasture land in appreciation for the responsibility he has for his father’s sheep. In a time of worship, as David was prone to do quite regularly, a tremendous thought came to his mind - “The Lord is MY Shepherd, I shall not want.” He, the Lord (Adonai Jehovah), is MY Shepherd!

This truth captured his mind and flooded his soul with emotion. And as David began to dwell on this powerful truth, the Holy Spirit continued to reveal to him so much more about His God. It was at this moment that David was learning to BE STILL. He was coming to KNOW God in a deep, powerful way that would change the trajectory of his life.

I believe this truth became real as it carried David into the valley of Elah where he would face Goliath. Perhaps as he walked into that valley, he could say, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” I believe this truth came alive for David later in life when he needed his soul restored after his sin with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah. I believe that this revelation became clear when a table was prepared before the enemies of David who attempted to keep him from being the king and anointed as the ruler over the house of God. And this powerful truth became a promise of goodness and mercy following him for an everlasting kingdom and a dwelling in the house of the Lord.

Psalm 23 in reality is prophetic. It is an outline of David’s life experiences from a Shepherd boy to a royal representative of the Good Shepherd, the King of kings. David begins with …

The Lord is My Shepherd and I Shall Not Want

The Shepherd is responsible for my well-being. He protects me from the wolves. He guides me to green pastures which are for my nourishment and my growth. He does this so that I can grow and develop.

The Shepherd Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures

He stabilizes my life in a fruitful place. He gives me rest amid plenty. So long as we stay submitted and do not stray, the Good Shepherd will always watch over me. He causes me to BE STILL.

He Leads Me Beside Still Waters

There is not much in life more calming than still waters. Water not only quenches the thirst but it has a way of soothing the soul. The Great Shepherd leads me into peaceful and soothing places. There’s nothing like the peace that He provides. This is not just a spiritual truth but we see the living manifestation of this in physical science.

For example, the body is made up of mostly water. In medical science, we understand that the chemicals in the body can be out of balance creating any number of health problems. Chemical imbalance is the same as saying one’s waters have been disturbed. The water in our bodies is no longer still, peaceful, or at rest. They have been moved by something. When the waters within have been moved they can gather in excess in a particular part of the body causing discomfort, stress, anxiety, or other physical and emotional issues. Our waters can be disturbed because we wander into the wrong places whether that is physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. And if we wander into places away from the Great Shepherd, we will likely find ourselves in or with disturbed waters. Jesus leads us beside still waters. There’s peace when we submit to the Great Shepherd! David goes on to say …

He Restores My Soul

There is great comfort in knowing that if we become one of the sheep that goes astray, the Great Shepherd is there to restore my soul. The soul - is made up of the mind, will, and emotions. So when we lose our way mentally, the Lord is there to restore our minds. Of course, this requires that we fill our minds with healthy things, to feast upon the green grass of His Word.

It is important to practice the discipline of bringing every thought captive; engage in regular worship and Word - train the brain, reign in the emotions, and submit your will to His. This is the key to experiencing the full benefit of the Shepherd.

He Leads Me in Paths of Righteousness

The Good Shepherd will never let those who truly belong to Him go astray. He always leads them IN the paths of righteousness. I love the expression IN THE PATH rather than ON the path which is the normal usage for such a statement. Being IN something is quite different than being ON something. When you are in it, you are saturated by that which you are in. The Great Shepherd leads us IN the paths of righteousness so much so that we are saturated by it, overwhelmed and covered by His righteousness. He doesn’t want you to have a ‘sort of experience’ with righteousness, He wants you to be transformed by His righteousness so that it becomes you. Why is this important? Well, David says …

It is for His Names Sake

The path of righteousness is a testimony to the Shepherd who got you to where His righteousness takes you. It is not something you did yourself. Because He is our righteousness, our journey is intended to reveal Christ rather than ourselves. It’s all about Him and it is for His name’s sake.

You see, God will never let you down. He thinks too highly of His name. It would be an indictment on Himself. He is highly protective of His name, His glory! So,
 
Even though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will Fear no Evil

When we have faith in the Shepherd to protect us more than we fear the shadow to affect us, there is peace, provision, and power for life.

Interestingly enough, it seems that the path of righteousness leads to the valley of the shadow of death. It doesn’t say the valley of death only the shadow of death. In other words, when the Shepherd leads you INTO the path, you will soon come to this Valley where it only feels like death. Therefore, there is no need to fear. When one walks IN righteousness, everything that is deadly will rise up against you casting this huge shadow in an attempt to cause fear and failure. But we need not fear for faith is in the making!

For You Are With Me

He who is our righteousness is with us! He will not leave you nor forsake you. He does not expect you and I to fend for ourselves. For if that were the case, we would surely die! Often, we think that when we are going through the rough stuff, it is because God is either distant from us or He is punishing us.

I have often stood at the side of those in difficulty asking God why or feeling that what they are going through is so undeserved. But God is always with His children through the good and the bad.

He is with me and His hand is on me to shape me into His image even in the valley of the shadow of death. Again, you’re not going to die, you only feel like you’re dying. The Good Shepherd has tools in His hands to shape, guide, and train us. And what are these tools to shape and train us?

Your Rod and Your Staff, They Comfort Me

Perhaps David knew the Scriptures and was reminded of Moses leading the children of Israel out of bondage and into promise. As Moses led them from the shadow of death, he did so with a rod and a staff. As they approached the Red Sea, he took the staff and pierced the waters and they parted. A pathway through the Sea would be a pathway of life. And once they were on the other side, the staff became the rod of God lifted to bring the waters crashing down in judgment upon the enemies of God.

The staff brought life to the people and that same staff became the rod of God that brought judgment upon the enemy. The staff served two purposes, to bring comfort through the pain of correction and to bring provisions through the peace of protection!

You Prepare a Table Before Me in the Presence of My Enemies

God gives us our provision even amid the enemy. He causes the enemy to see how blessed and cared for we are by His mighty love! He makes the enemy know that he has no authority to rob of us our inheritance. This is what we mean when we speak of Kingdom life!

You Anoint My Head with Oil; My Cup Overflows

God sets His children apart and gives them what they need. He fills them with the Spirit to overflow which means that the Spirit is poured through and out onto everything in one’s life. The Spirit becomes our shield and our covering enabling us to walk bravely and boldly even in the enemy’s camp to overcome and take back the ground that was stolen.

Then David the Psalmist begins to focus forward into the future. He says,

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me All the Days of My Life

David was not naive to the reality of life’s ups and downs. It would be easy to overlook this verse and not understand what is being said here. But he says, “Surely goodness AND mercy shall follow me …”

He is saying that there will be goodness in the believer’s life and there will be crisis - things that we will need to endure. And to endure and persevere, it will require mercy. The mercy of the Lord will be granted to a true believer so that we will not be destroyed by what would kill an unbeliever. We will have goodness and we will have mercy ALL the days of our lives. As we remain faithful, we can rest in the assurance of that final promise which is …

I Shall Dwell in the House of the LORD Forever

The Psalm begins with “The Lord is my Shepherd …” and ends with a promise of dwelling “… in the house of the Lord forever.” This promise of a life forever is only good to those who can properly and truthfully say, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Forever in the house of the Lord is the reward for being in the fold of the Good Shepherd. It is the result of being still and KNOWING GOD! Eternity is only possible if we are IN that which is Eternal and only God is Eternal.

Are you in the fold with a promised future? If not, trust Christ today and inherit life abundant and eternal.

As we close one year and begin a new one, let us rejoice in the good and not-so-good of the past. Let us know that, as Christians, everything works for our good no matter how painful. And as we look to the future, may we do so from a place of strength and optimism anticipating the good work of our God continuing in our lives.

This was the message of the Apostle Paul so often in his writings to the early church. Paul had an understanding of the work of God for the greater good in our lives.

I want us to observe the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3, verses 8-16, and see ...

The Contrast Between Past Good and Future Best

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— “ (Vs. 8-9)

“ ... that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Vs. 10-11)

What Paul is saying in verses 8 and 9 is - that all past success, while good, does not compare with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Whatever is gained cannot compete with what Christ offers. It is in letting go of the good that I am granted the privilege of obtaining the best. So while we praise God for all that has happened, do not hang on to it too long or we may miss what is awaiting us.

Paul goes on to say in verses 10 and 11 that our resurrection into eternal life is dependent upon the suffering of death to the old, past nature so that one can attain resurrection and life eternal. This is the product of faith - the kind that God gives to us by grace. Paul also leads us to see ...

The Contrast Between Perfect Goodness and Faithfully Becoming

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Vs 12)

Paul is humble enough to recognize the difference between perfection and perfecting! One is a finished product while the other is a formation process.

Paul was saying that although he has not yet obtained the fullness of what all this means, he is pressing on to make this his own motivated by the fact that Christ owns him through repentance and faith.

Paul was also saying that he was not naive to the power of this process. So a frame of mind is necessary - a discipline after faith is essential. And what is that mindset and discipline? Well, Paul tells us that there are five things. He says that there is Forgetting, Straining, Pressing, Thinking and Holding! Look at verses 13-16.

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (Vs. 13-16)

Forget What Lies Behind

What does forgetting what lies behind mean? In this particular context of our passage, Paul may be referring to his previous life and work in the religious realm. Those things that brought him pride and promotion he now works to forget. He now moves to leave these memories and actions behind like a marathon runner puts the previous miles he runs out of sight. This generation tends to be obsessed with the past (not history, but individual past). Many have embraced the idea that our past difficulties and injustices have led to our present condition and circumstances. This leads to excuses for our behavior and a justification for our bad choices.

As Christians, we are called to have a different view of the past. Of course, we can never truly forget the past (perhaps that’s why Paul says forgetting instead of having forgotten). Yet we are to look forward, not backward. We are not defined by our past. The past is merely the path that led us to this present moment. This same principle works concerning all our good works as well! Therefore we are to …

Strain Forward to What Lies Ahead

This statement indicates that there is energy related to our development. We sometimes want the result without the struggle. Of course, our salvation comes by grace through faith, but our maturity in Christ requires that we apply ourselves to the process. We are to strive or strain forward! Salvation is about an allegiance to the King. Allegiance is related to the word alignment and we are to align our lives with the process which requires action. This action is motivated by what we see ahead.

The problem is that most do not see what lies ahead. We are so preoccupied with the past and the present that we fail to understand the reward that awaits us in the future. If we truly comprehended, even to a measure, what glory awaits us, it would not be very hard to mobilize Christians to submit their lives to the spiritual process. We must …

Press Toward the Goal of What is Upward

Instead of having our eyes set on the past, we must press forward toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. There is a goal to the Christian life, and there is a prize upon reaching that goal. Our goal is upward. It is forward and onward. It is above and ahead of us, not behind us. Eternity with the Lord in the resurrection is our goal, and the prize is being with Christ. But this prize is not just what we can gain, but what our future seed can gain. We live for those to come, our children and our children’s children forward to many generations. We have been summoned to run a great race, a relay race, and the prize for completion is glorious beyond all measure. Our eyes, therefore, must be fixed upon the finish line. We will only reach it through much endurance. The life to come for us in the presence of the King as well as the life for our seed in this world must be the focus of our life now. Paul goes on to say that we must …

Think Maturely in the Ways of the Lord

Mature Christians will have the mindset outlined in verses 12-14, knowing that we are not yet perfect but pressing forward toward that glorious day when our salvation will be complete and many will be saved because of our maturity.
 
Interestingly, this means that confidence in having figured out the Christian life and believing that we have already matured enough is immediate evidence of NOT being mature. Those who are the most mature recognize just how much they still lack. Many read the Bible once and consider themselves experts in Christianity, but when we dive deeply into knowing God through His Word, we quickly begin to realize just how inadequate we are and how little we know. But what we do know and what we have learned, we should humbly …

Hold True to What has Been Attained

Paul emphasized that he has yet to attain the resurrection of the dead; instead, it was his great goal, to live forever with Jesus Himself. Perseverance is a great doctrine of Scripture that is often under-emphasized. We are called to persevere to the end meaning that we do not backslide, falter in our faith, or give up on God. We do not return to the world or go about life in our own way. As a true believer, we are not our own but bought with a price. We are His possession! This was Paul’s message. Therefore we persevere - we remain faithful to the end!

To once again use the race metaphor, each step takes us closer to the finish line, but we are presently still running the race. Paul is, therefore, warning us against the ever-present danger of sliding backward into that which we were supposed to forget. Let us not lose the ground that we have made and the maturity in which we have grown.

May we trust the Lord, and depend upon Him for all things while understanding our responsibility. As Paul so clearly teaches us, we must invest in ourselves by forgetting those things in our past that damage our progress forward. We must strain forward or strive toward a faithful lifestyle that brings us into greater unity with Christ. We are to press toward that which is upward. We must reach high for those things that are attainable in Christ. We must think maturely! As a man thinks in his heart so is he is still true. We are what we think.
Therefore, our thinking must be properly aligned with the mind of Christ.

This is a good road map for 2024 from the Apostle Paul. May we walk this out in a way that brings forth a greater manifestation of His kingdom here on earth.

The book of Ephesians, written by the Apostle Paul and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, touches on the beautiful and spiritual force of grace in the life of the saved.

Paul makes it crystal clear that the gospel, which is activated in a believer’s life by grace through faith, empowers our relationship with God and produces the glory of God through a transformed life. A transformed life is the working out of Christ in us. The Orthodox Church called this ‘theosis’ and is vital to an understanding of our spiritual destiny and identity.

This brings us to one of the main purposes of the church. It is to articulate and present the gospel to produce Christ-like people who are joined together in the community. It is to reveal the nature and character of God the Father through holy living, righteous relationships, and divine service. The community or household of God then becomes a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22).

Paul is emphatic about the role of grace in this transformative process. He states clearly that it is grace that saves us and it is grace that perfects us. It is grace that calls us and it is grace that empowers us to fulfill our calling. It was grace that enabled Paul to know the mystery of ‘Christ in me, the hope of glory’, and grace led him to reveal that mystery through suffering and pain. It was grace that was sufficient for Paul even when Paul felt he was at the end. We have said that when faith fails, God’s grace is sufficient to carry us through. I would rather live at the mercy of God’s grace than at the mercy of my own faith. Faith is often man-centered, particularly in the religious climate of our times. But no one can take credit for God’s grace on display and working deep within the heart of the redeemed!
Grace empowered Paul to deliver the gospel and the power of grace is the power that undergirds each component of the gospel. The gospel is the good news of what Christ has done to free man from sin and eternal death. Each component of the gospel is seen as the release of God’s transforming grace.
 
Through the INCARNATION, we see that grace empowered Christ to leave heaven and enabled Him to humble Himself to an earthly existence. It was grace that supernaturally worked in the virgin birth and the virtuous life of Christ.

Through the CRUCIFIXION, we see that it was grace that compelled Christ through the travail in the garden, the trial before Pilate, the torture at the hands of the Roman soldiers, and the tragedy of death for God’s Son on the cross of Calvary. Grace was the force behind it all!
 
Through the RESURRECTION, it was grace that rushed through and into that garden tomb entering into the body of Jesus causing life to return. Grace was the power of God that exploded with such power in that tomb that it was equal to the same power that caused the universe to come into existence. Can you imagine?

Through the ASCENSION, we see that it was grace that lifted Christ from this earth and positioned Him where He belonged – upon the throne of heaven and earth. The grace behind the ascension assures us that this same grace will raise us to sit with Him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Through the CORONATION, we see that Christ is not waiting to be King but that He was crowned King of kings and Lord of lords having completed His assignment by grace to redeem those who would respond to this same grace that calls us to the gospel. It is this assurance that grace has crowned Him King that I am also ruling with Him and have an eternal dimension to my existence. I am a new creation being perfected to inherit the new creation to extol the glory of God for all eternity through righteousness and justice.
The point is that grace is behind it all! The grace of God is the power of God that not only enables me to do what I am naturally incapable of doing but also empowers all things that pertain to life and godliness. II Peter 1:3 says,

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”

I am convinced that most believers are very undisciplined in their spiritual lives. Because of our freedom in Christ and our focus on grace, we tend to live our lives randomly. Our prayers are as needed. Our Bible time is occasional. Our church attendance is sporadic. Our service is seldom. There needs to be a heavy emphasis on obedience, discipline, faithfulness, and persistence.

We are too busy and the result is often a neglect of God, His Word, His will, and His ways! We tend to fit Him into our lives only when we are in trouble and need something from Him. But at other times, we run to and fro seeking pleasure, profit, and prosperity fueled by emotion and feelings of self-reliance.

It is time to stop, BE STILL AND KNOW. It is time to know God intimately and with intensity! It is time for us to rely not on human ability or ingenuity, but upon the spiritual strength that can only come from a real, tangible, and authentic relationship with Christ Jesus, the Lord of all!

“BE STILL AND KNOW” communicates to us the need for us to engage our minds from a place of stillness and solitude. It is to ground our lives, first and foremost, in the knowledge of God according to His own revelation of Himself from His Word. As we come to know God through Jesus Christ, our hearts are changed and we are completely transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Becoming still and getting to know God requires that we set aside time and space.

SPIRITUAL STRENGTH is gained in these intentional times and SACRED SPACES. What is a sacred space? A sacred space, or sacred ground, a sacred place is a location that is deemed to be sacred or hallowed. Synonyms for sacred space are the following: an altar, a temple, or a designated religious site. I believe that a sacred space should be a home, a prayer room, and of course a church site. Sacred spaces help us to be still and know God. They help us to remember, heal, and reflect. They are spaces or places for prayer, meditation, and contemplation.

I believe God is calling His people up to a higher level of spirituality! We are being called to BE STILL AND KNOW God! To gain spiritual strength in these sacred spaces that have been consecrated for the purpose of experiencing the presence of God.

With this understanding in mind, we should strategize to achieve the goal. We should arrange our lives and all of our activities with the idea that we are getting to KNOW GOD and to know others. Everything we do should take place as a means of seeking God in stillness and in the chaos of life. We are called to stay focused on the presence of God both in private and in public. As the Psalmist says,

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down (be still) in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters (calm sacred spaces). He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

If you are saved and follow Christ as a dedicated believer, please know that you are saved for a purpose in both this life and the next. Purpose is a major theme throughout the Book of Acts. The book of Acts starts with the mandate from Jesus whose aim was for the gospel of the Kingdom to go forth. Now as we enter into chapter 13, we are turning to what might be the most notable turning point in the entire storyline of Acts.

Up until this point from Acts chapter 1-12, Luke has been primarily focused on Jerusalem and Peter, showing how God has fulfilled His promises, how Jesus is Israel’s crucified, risen, and exalted Messiah, and how he is restoring Israel in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. And most notably, in the last few chapters, he has shown us how God has started to press the gospel into the Gentile world beginning with Cornelius and extending to the church in Antioch. But everything changes when we get to chapter 13. Luke shifts the spotlight from Peter to Paul. In this transition, the storyline quickly shifts from the gospel’s impact in Jerusalem to the gospel’s impact throughout the entire Gentile world, fulfilling Jesus’ final words. Remember what Acts 1:8 tells us:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Yet, in this shift between gospel witnesses and geographic locations, Luke wants to make it clear that one thing remains the same: The mission of the church is wholly dependent upon the person and power of the Holy Spirit. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the base of gospel expansion shifts from the church at Jerusalem to the church at Antioch. So now, let’s turn our attention to the ANTIOCH CHURCH and the APOSTOLIC CHARGE! First,

The Antioch Church

Antioch: A Multi-Gifted Church

“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, …” (vs 1a)

We see right from the beginning that Antioch received the gifts of the Spirit. These gifts were in the form of gifted and called leaders/ministers as well as the expressive gifts that each member carried within them. An effective church for the gospel and the Kingdom will be filled with prophetic teaching and active members in the gift of the Spirit. As we continue reading, we also see …

Antioch: A Multi-Ethnic Church

“ … Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.” (vs 1b)

The church in Antioch was very different from the Church in Jerusalem. Whereas the church in Jerusalem was comprised of ethnic Jews and was led by a team of Jewish apostles, the church in Antioch was a multicultural church led by a multiethnic team of spiritually gifted ministers. This is significant in the story-line of Acts because it helps us see that, God is gifting his church without any regard for ethnic distinctions or personal backgrounds.

• Barnabas a Jew from Cyprus;
• Simeon is most likely an African because his Latin nickname “Niger” means “Black;”
• Lucius is a North African from Cyrene;
• Manaen, a high-ranking individual who was most likely a foster brother or intimate friend of Herod the Tetrarch;
• And then finally we have Saul, a Jew who was born and raised in the city of Tarsus, trained in the Law under the pharisee Gamaliel, and former persecutor of the church.

Antioch: A Prayer and Worshiping Church

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” (Vs. 2)

We see that the entire church in Antioch appears to be gathered together in verse 2 for something more than weekly worship, in that, “they were worshiping and fasting” together (v. 2). As one scholar notes, 

Given that the Spirit calls the church to set apart Saul and Barnabas for service in verse 2; it is most likely that the entire church (not just the leadership) is worshiping and fasting with its leaders. In fact, when we consider the Spirit’s calling in verse 2, it seems reasonable to propose that they were seeking God’s will in the continuing advance of the gospel into the Gentile world.

How do they respond to the revelation of the Holy Spirit’s leading? They responded by calling the entire church (again not just the leaders) together for a prolonged period of fasting and prayer so that they might confirm their sense of the Spirit’s call and commission Saul and Barnabas for their new calling.

The church fully believes that the God who disclosed his initial calling would certainly confirm his calling as his people pursued him in fervent prayer… which is exactly what he does.

Antioch: A Commissioning and Sending Church

“Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (vs. 3)

And just like, that the first official missionaries in the history of Christianity are sent out by their local church at the leading and initiative of the Holy Spirit Himself. A point that Luke reiterates again in the opening lines of verse 4 to reinforce the fact that the Holy Spirit has not only called Saul and Barnabas to this new ministry BUT that the Holy Spirit is actively directing and empowering them to fulfill their gospel calling.

The Apostolic Charge

Apostolic: An Adventurous Ministry

“So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.” (Vs. 4)

The trip from Antioch to the port town of Seleucia was only 16 miles. And once they boarded the ship in Seleucia, they only had to travel 60 miles to the port of Salamis in Cyprus. To put it in modern terms, their entire journey (from Antioch to Cyprus) was only about 76 miles OR about the same distance we would drive from Victorville to Pasadena.

Saul and Barnabas’ initial journey to Cyprus seems to be motivated by at least three strategic reasons: (1) Barnabas was a native of Cyprus which meant that he had contacts. (2) Cyprus was home to a significant Jewish population, which meant that there was an organic gospel audience in Cyprus. (3) And a group of Christians had already brought the gospel to Cyprus shortly after Stephen was murdered (Acts 11:19–20).

Apostolic: A Challenging Ministry

"When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.” (Vs. 5)

The first step of the first missionary journey seems to be primarily focused on the Jews. They went to the synagogues! They were willing to challenge religion.

Apostolic: A Courageous Ministry

“When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, ‘You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.’ Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” (Vs. 6-12)

• An Important Invitation and Unexpected Opposition (Acts 13:6–12)

This is a significant development in the early expansion of the church. Saul and Barnabas are inconsequential nobodies. They don’t have any political power. They do not have any connection to the upper crust of society. They are not well-known philosophers or teachers. They have no authority of their own. Yet, they are personally invited to share the gospel with a Roman governor who is known for his intelligence. It’s like Cornelius all over again. A Gentile wants to hear the Word of God. And God—through a divinely orchestrated series of events—sends virtual nobodies all the way from Antioch to make the connection.

But just as they start to share the gospel with the governor, the governor’s spiritual advisor —an apostate Jewish sorcerer whose name is literally “Son of Jesus”— launches a preemptive attack against Saul and Barnabas in a desperate attempt to turn his master away from the faith. The so-called “son of Jesus” wants nothing to do with the real Jesus Christ! And while Luke does not tell us how he was trying to turn the governor away; he does tell us how the Holy Spirit himself responded to his attack against the gospel.

• An Intense Invocation and Unusual Occurrence

Don’t miss this, why does Paul confront Bar Jesus and curse him with temporary blindness instead of Barnabas? It’s not just because Barnabas was passive or afraid. Nor was it because Paul was more assertive or wanted to prove that he had greater power than the false prophet. No, it was because, at the moment, the Holy Spirit chose to actively work through Paul instead of Barnabas.

Yes, this is the moment that Saul assumes his Roman name “Paul” for the rest of the book foreshadowing his greater call to the Gentile world. Yes, this is the moment that Paul begins to take the lead role in their missionary endeavor. But these developments are the direct result Spirit’s filling (v. 9). We have seen the Holy Spirit do this before in Acts. Right? And what was the result of the Spirit’s filling in each instance? It was nothing less than gospel boldness and spiritual insight, which is exactly what we see in Paul’s response.

Who is Bar Jesus? He is not a powerful foe to be feared. He is not a representative of Jesus. He is not even walking in the ways of his father Abraham as a Jew. No. He is the son of the devil. As the devil’s Son, he is following in the deceitful ways of his father, trying to twist and pervert the straight paths of the Lord that lead to forgiveness and life through faith in Jesus Christ. And in all of this, what is he ultimately trying to do? He is trying to blind Sergius Paulus to the light of the gospel.

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:19-21)

Elymas hates the light because he loves the darkness. So how does the Spirit direct Paul to respond to his deceit? He directs him to pronounce a fitting judgment against the sorcerer— instant but temporary blindness.

And what was the ultimate result? The Holy Spirit reversed the false prophet’s attempt to hinder the faith of his master, in that, his attempt to make crooked the path of God was transformed into a straight and narrow path to saving faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Apostolic: A Confrontational Ministry (vs. 13-54)

During their first missionary journey in AD 44, Paul and Barnabas came to a city in Asia Minor called Antioch. This was different from the Antioch they had been sent from by the church which was in Syria. To distinguish it from Antioch, this one is referred to as Pisidian Antioch. Because of its strategic location, it was colonized by many successive groups of people resulting in a very large population that included Greeks, Jews, and Phrygians. The Romans colonized it in the first century and made it the capital of southern Galatia.

About 90 years ago archaeologists discovered the remains of a first-century synagogue beneath the ruins of a Byzantine church. It is believed that this was the actual synagogue where Paul preached the sermon that is recorded in Acts chapter 13. Since Paul and Barnabas were Jews, they were welcomed to the Sabbath day worship which took place here. The synagogue service included the reading of the scriptures and after that, it was customary for visiting Jews to be asked to speak. We see this in Acts 13:15 –

“And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
 
Paul then took the opportunity to CONFRONT them by preaching the Word. There are three things about the Word that Paul spoke that reveal the Wonders of the Word and how it CONFRONTS the sinner. I want to close by sharing these. The first wonder of the Word is its:

• Objective Foundation 

It rests on God’s participation in history. Paul made this point as he began to preach his sermon at Antioch. He gave a summary of Israel’s history beginning in v.17,18 – “The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm brought He them out of it.  And about the time of forty years suffered He their manners in the wilderness…”

These two verses cover about 500 years of history from Genesis chapter 12 to the end of Deuteronomy – How God chose Abraham and made his descendants grow into nationhood in Egypt, brought them out in a great exodus when the Egyptians enslaved them, and then patiently led them to the Promised Land. Then in the next four verses, Paul summarized the transformation of Israel from a loose federation of twelve tribes in Canaan to a powerful kingdom under King David. This covers another 500 years of history that is recorded in the books of Joshua, Judges, and 1 and 2 Samuel.

I want you to observe that God is the subject of almost all the verbs in this summary. In these six verses God is the One who chose… exalted… brought out… suffered… destroyed… divided… gave… raised up… and said. This shows that God revealed Himself through His active participation in history. When history is used as the vehicle for declaring truths about God, all these truths become objective and verified. They do not belong to the subjective realm of human philosophy, speculation, or opinion.

The main application here, however, is to ensure that your faith in God is based on objective verifiable facts and not on subjective stories. myths and legends. The only way to do this is to make God’s written Word the only grounds for all your beliefs. This is the only reliable source of truth from God because it rests on a firm foundation: God’s participation in human history.
 
That is the first wonder of the Word. We go on now to the next wonder, which is its …

• Amazing Fulfillment 

It records how God’s promises were fulfilled in Christ even to the smallest detail. This is the point that Paul made as he continued his preaching in vv.23-37. In v.23, he mentions Jesus as being the fulfillment of God’s promise.

“Of [David’s] seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a savior, Jesus.” 
You may ask, ‘Where in the Bible is this promise of God found?’ It is spelled out clearly in Jeremiah 23:5,6 – 

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely…”

This brings us now to the third wonder of the Word that Paul spoke about in his sermon. He spoke of it’s …

• Great Salvation

The Word reveals God’s plan to save all men through Christ. Let us look at vv.38,39 where the main thrust of Paul’s sermon is found –
 
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

Here the problem that needs to be solved is identified: It is the sins we commit. The Law of Moses could not save anyone from sin. It only shows that all have sinned. The more we try to keep the Law that God had given through Moses, the more aware we become of our failure to keep it. Then we realize how sinful we are and that our only hope is for God to forgive us of all our sins. But how can a God who is perfectly just and holy forgive us? There is only one possible way – through the death of Jesus for us.

What a great salvation is revealed here in God’s Word! But the question which each one of us has to answer is this: Have your sins been forgiven? Have you truly believed in Jesus alone for salvation, or are you still trusting in your ability to keep God’s laws to save you? If you haven’t believed in Jesus yet, I urge you not to delay any longer. This is because the Word of God has come to you, and you have just seen its Wonders - its objective foundation, its amazing fulfillment, and its great salvation. A Wonderful Word like that certainly requires a good response from you.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” (Matthew 6:5-10)

In the midst of the culture wars that persist in the 21st century, progressive politicians and even liberal theologians consistently proclaim a desire to be on the right side of history. They make these declarations in regard to their social and political agendas as it relates to issues such as a ‘woman’s right to choose abortion’, ‘homosexual marriage’ and the ‘definition of the family’, ‘centralized control rather than individual freedom’ and other social and cultural issues of the day. They perceive themselves to be taking the high ground by redefining morality according to “what seems to be right in their own eyes”.

However, it is better to think beyond the limits of human history. It is best to realize that rather than being on the right side of history, it is better to be on the right side of eternity. I’m certain that Jesus, during His lifetime here on earth, would have been considered by the political, social, cultural and even religious leaders of His day as being on the wrong side of history. He did not accept the cultural and religious norms of His day. He came to present a different way of living by having a different way of thinking. His worldview could be best described as a Kingdom view of the world. So, Jesus wasn’t concerned about following the cultural or religious crowds who thought themselves to be the arbiters of what was true and therefore on the right side of history. He didn’t come to be an arbiter of truth - He came to reveal that He is the truth! And it is not time that gives evidence of reality - it is eternity!

Today, in this present time, so many work from the premise of ‘right and wrong’! But we can no longer really use these terms to arrive at what is true. The reason is that we humans tend to define things according to what we feel and we tend to think according to how we feel. Our view of right and wrong is skewed. As presuppositional creatures of emotion infected by sin and a mixture of human experiences, we are fully incapable of processing life without a truly objective source. And of course, that also requires a presupposition - a presupposition that there is a source that can direct and guide with real, genuine authority. For the Christian, that source is God and His Holy Word which is the only real objective source and the only authoritative guide for the human experience! It is God and His Word that deals less with ‘right and wrong’ and more with ‘life and death’.

‘Right and wrong’ are things that seem to matter in history whereas ‘life and death’ reach beyond the confines of time and into eternity. For example, an argument has a starting point and hopefully an ending point. It is governed by time. Arguments have an aim of determining who is right and who is wrong. It is a means of getting to a point of determination that elevates one’s position over another. But life and death reach beyond any boundary of time. Life, in all reality, has no end. Neither does death. They are eternal concepts and totally objective.

So what is it that brings life and what is it that brings death? These are the questions we must ask. These questions will assist us in determining not only how to be on the right side of eternity, which is the best position of all, but it will actually put us on the right side of human history as well on our journey toward a life-filled eternity.

This was the message of Christ when He stepped from eternity and into time. It could not be any clearer than when He taught His disciples to pray in the passage above (Matthew 6:5-10). Now certainly, we would never think that Jesus would take such care to teach something so powerful as just mere words. We must recognize that in His prayer is the heart and desire of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! We see in this prayer that Jesus was interested in His disciples coming into alignment with the purpose of the Father to transform time into eternity - to transform earth into heaven - and to transform humanity into His likeness.

According to Jesus, our Father knows what you need even before you ask! Jesus goes on to teach us what to pray in accordance with what the Father knows we need and in accordance with what the Father wants for us. And what exactly is that?

The Father wants to be honored, respected, reverenced and worshiped and He knows that it is best for us to do those things! Also, the Father knows that we need a cultural shift. He knows that the way things are currently done on earth are not best for us and therefore His will is that the culture of Heaven comes to be made manifest on earth. This is why Jesus said to pray this way:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The Kingdom of God is the culture of heaven invading this planet and making all things new. This is the great need of our day! This was the prayer of our Lord and King, Jesus! This is the great mandate that the church should be about in a time of political division, social unrest, racial injustice and moral depravity. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

It is extremely heartbreaking to see the pain and devastation caused by this current pandemic, a crisis that has thrust the entire world into panic and fear. My heart is heavy for those who have lost their lives and the family’s that are left trying to make sense of it all. I am close with two families that have been touched by this deadly virus and it is hard to know exactly what to say or what to do. This is truly a difficult time for so many and certainly life altering for not only them but for all of us.

I can’t help but to think of the additional devastation that is being caused by the reaction to this virus. I am watching family’s being gravely impacted by the shut down of our nations economy. People are losing their jobs. Small business owners are losing their companies. Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high. Almost everyone is being affected negatively in some way.

The long term affects of our nations response to this virus could very well prove to be more harmful than the virus itself. This is not to downplay certain and necessary measures that should be taken. The question is, ‘how far should the government go with intervention into the lives of Americans?’ After all, this is the greatest government intervention since World War II. And according to a recent Reuters News Service article dated March 3rd,

“Already, there are reports that isolation measures are triggering more domestic violence in some areas. Prolonged school closings are preventing special needs children from receiving treatment and could presage a rise in dropouts and delinquency. Public health centers will lose funding, causing a decline in their services and the health of their communities. A surge in unemployment to 20% – a forecast now common in Western economies – could cause an additional 20,000 suicides in Europe and the United States among those out of work or entering a near-empty job market.”

Losing one life to this virus is one life too many! And yet this is true of every disease whether it is COVID-19, cancer, heart disease or the common flu. Of course, COVID-19 is new and there are so many unknowns. Immunities have not had time to build up that will hopefully put this thing into the same category as the flu. But is that acceptable? After all, the flu kills on average 12,000-60,000 people a year. And while the death rate per infected person is higher for COVID-19 than the flu at the moment, that is based upon known cases. The newness of COVID-19 has not allowed us to have accurate figures on the rate of death as of yet. It could be lower or higher and this will be determined as we go forward. The point is, we have had disease with us for thousands of years and will have others introduced to us in the future. We must be able to respond wisely rather than react unwisely. The lives of the infected do matter during a pandemic, but we must also consider how the response to a pandemic affects all lives with regard to physical health, spiritual health, social health and economic health.

As a strong believer in limited government, I am concerned about how some opportunists in our government may seize the moment for their own political agendas. As Rahm Emmanuel, former Chief of Staff for Barack Obama and recent Democratic Mayor of Chicago, once said: “You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.” My concern is not one sided. I am not so naive as to think that one party has a monopoly on the desire for power over the other. Though I do think that the socialists, which are many and predominant, are tipping their hand. In an election year and a strong economy, it appears the they will do almost anything to use this crisis to undermine the progress made. But conservative capitalists are being compliant by cooperating in a 2.5 trillion dollar handout that will have an immediate gratification effect, but will have devastating consequences on our economy long term. An even worse is the additional bailouts of trillions of dollars coming which will add to the debt and deficit figures too large to comprehend. We are killing our children, grandchildren and the future of our nation at a far greater rate than COVID-19 ever could! This is the result of power hungry politicians on all sides more concerned with the immediate rather than the ultimate.

There are those in the religious world that would take a ‘que sera sera’ position - ‘whatever will be will be’. They would believe that it is inevitable that the world will be undone and ultimately destroyed so that heaven can be realized. But this is not a Kingdom mindset. A Kingdom response to what is happening in the world is to stand up to injustice, work for the flourishing of all humans, and aim to restore the principles of God’s Word to all spheres of life. This will require that we do not fall prey to ‘Normalcy Bias’ and it may require civil disobedience at some point. I am convinced that during this time, the church is being prepared for what may potentially come - an attempt to silence the church and categorize her as a non-essential. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious issue and we should be wise and self-govern ourselves by engaging social distancing, wearing face masks, refraining from public gatherings for a season, washing our hands and coughing into our sleeves. But we must also be aware of the possibility that mandating such things could become a slippery slope of further intrusion into the life of a free society. May God give us wisdom to submit to principled authorities over us in protecting our fellow citizens and our way of life while holding firm to a “Don’t Tread on Me” philosophy if ever needed.

In Mark 11:22-23, Jesus talks about mountain moving prayer. But what was He really saying? Was He really saying that if we have enough faith and pray hard enough that we can see mountains literally moved? Or is there another meaning intended here? Here is what the passage says:

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”

Jesus is actually responding to the disciples in this way because they were asking questions in amazement over the fig tree’s death. If you read a bit earlier, Jesus (the night before) had cursed the fig tree because it bore no fruit. The next day, the disciples saw the tree and that it had died. They were greatly amazed - even after all they had experienced walking with Jesus and what they had seen Him do. So Jesus begins to use hyperbole or exaggeration to make a significant point about their faith. He is wanting them, like us, to understand and believe that God CAN do the impossible! He begins teaching them about mountains moving faith. Now mountain moving is hyperbole for the impossible being accomplished and if you believe that God can then it is possible!

Of course, there is no record of Jesus moving a mountain. No record of the apostles moving mountains. No record of Christians moving mountains. What we do have a record of, however, is that ‘moving mountains’ was an expression used by rabbis at that time. It was used to refer to something that was insurmountable. So moving mountains = things that are impossible. Jesus is saying that if you believe God, then the things which are humanly impossible, become possible. But the question is never if God CAN, but whether or not God WILL! God can do all things but God WILL NOT do everything that He can do.

There is no doubt about God’s ability and there’s an interesting interaction in Mark 9:21-24, it says,
“And Jesus asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ 23 And Jesus said to him, ‘If you can!’ All things are possible for one who believes.’ 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’”

I love Jesus’ response. He says back the father who said “If you can!” And Jesus says, “IF YOU CAN?!?” almost as if He were saying, “Do you know who you are talking to?” The questions is never CAN GOD, WILL GOD! This is what Jesus was trying to convey to the disciples. It was as if they still had doubt about the ability of God and were amazed that Jesus could kill a tree with just a word.
Answered prayer is contingent on whether or not the thing asked for is in God’s perfect plan or not.

Consider Jesus who always perfectly believed in His Father’s ability and while in the Garden praying He asked that the cup pass from Him. But not as He willed but as the Father willed. CAN God deliver Jesus from the cross? Of course, but WILL He?

Paul’s had a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and Timothy had frequent stomach problems (1 Timothy 5:23). Could God deliver them both? Of course. But God must have had a greater reason to leave these things in the lives of these two men rather than to deliver them.
The key things that I have discovered in God answering prayers are:

- Will answering this prayer bring God the ultimate glory?
- Will answering this prayer accomplish the perfect plan and purpose of God? 

- Will answering this prayer be the most beneficial thing for the one praying?
- Will the attitude of the one praying be one of praise and worship even if not 
answered?

I am very much a believer in the work of God, the Holy Spirit, to do things that are considered miracles, signs and wonders. I have witnessed tremendous healings, deliverances, and interventions of God into the physical world that as Wayne Grudem says, “… arouses people’s awe and wonder and bears witness to Himself.” Of course, there are scores of things that God did throughout the Old Testament and Jesus continued to astound the human mind and heart by the things that He did. But we seem to be in a time and age of seeking the supernatural to the degree that we actually miss what faith is intended to be in our lives. I often wonder why faith is even necessary if the supernatural (as defined by some contemporaries) is normal. Jesus told Thomas, who required a miracle sign in order to believe, that those who never see yet believe are highly blessed. This was a shout out to genuine faith, “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And while I may be perceived by some to be downplaying the supernatural, I really want to heighten our appreciation for the things that often go overlooked. I want to challenge the attitude that reflects a “yeah, yeah we know those things are miracles, signs and wonders, but there’s more” and then a list of the profoundly mystical are vigorously put forth. I want to regain our awe and respect for the greatest miracle, sign and wonder of all - salvation, obedience and faithfulness!

Now some may disagree with me that these are the greatest and that’s fine. Everyone today can blog their thoughts. But we must never lose our amazement and awe over the fact that God would save us from our sin and from our selves drawing us unto Himself and positioning us in Christ! This, my friend, is the greatest of all miracles. That Christ, who knew no sin, became sin so that I could become the righteousness of God. No other miracle surpasses this! We were dead in our trespasses and sins, yet God in His mercy breathed life into our hearts and gave us new life. My hope is that we will never get over this miracle which, by the way, is an ongoing miracle in our lives. It isn’t a one-time event that happens and then it’s over. It is an ever present miracle working in our lives both now and forever. That, in my opinion, is what makes it far and away above all miracles. We are spiritually alive because God graciously redeemed us and we live because Christ lives! When the amazement and appreciation of this wears off, it is normal for the human to want a higher high. Thus we look for other thrills and excitement. May the miracle of salvation be more humbling and fresh today than ever.

I consider obedience a sign of the miracle of salvation. After all, obedience is a life of faith that follows salvation. Obeying God is an indicator that something truly happened to the human heart. And while we may fall back into a Jewish mindset from time to time looking for external signs of this and that, let us be gravely aware that the life of an obedient disciple is itself a sign of spiritual reality. The statement, “If you love me, you will keep My commandments” is not a condition for salvation but a result of salvation. Obedience is to salvation what breathing is to life. Life gives breath and breath indicate that there is life. It is a sign! May this be the sign we are most passionate about seeking.

It is a real wonder that a human can be faithful to anything other than sin. So when there is faithfulness to God, we know something miraculous has happened in the human heart. Some may think that there is no difference between obedience and faithfulness. But here’s how I explain the difference. Faithfulness is persistent obedience - a lifestyle of obedience. If obedience is a sign of salvation, then faithfulness is one’s lifelong expression of their salvation. This is a wonder to behold - a consistent, disciplined, holy, pure life that perseveres through every trial and temptation. I am not talking of perfection, but a faithfulness to live in humble repentance always aiming to exalt and glorify God in a life well lived.

So while there are whole movements of people always looking to experience the next “wow moment” or to see something that has never been seen before or to have something done to them that is super unusual and even extra-biblical, let us focus on what really matters. Let us glory in the cross from where our salvation comes from as the greatest of all miracles. Let us evidence this great miracle by surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit in obedience to God’s Word as a sign of spiritual reality. And may we always be amazed in awe and wonder at the faithfulness of God to work out faithfulness in us. May God enlighten us all and may Christ our King be highly exalted!

As the Sovereign Creator of the universe, God is the Chief Commander of all things. He commands the stars to shine, the planets to move, the winds to blow, the rain to fall, and the trees to bear fruit. He commands all of life and every human being in history. He commands because He is God, because He is great and because He is good! As His creation, our only response is to OBEY Him.

But humans tend to have other passions and desires. They want to do their own thing. This is reflected significantly in the choices and decisions that we make in our families, friendships and finances. This is why Jesus dealt with our time and relationships as well as money and possessions as much as He did. He knew that the way we handle these things will reveal the passions and desires of our hearts. It will reveal what really matters to us!

Money, time, energy, affection and desire all follow after our passion! The question is, ‘where is our passion directed?’

Today, in this culture, passion is emphasized as the determining factor for what we should do in life and where we should invest. Many in the church will even define the will of God for their lives by what they have a passion for. They believe that the focus of their passion is automatically the will of God simply because there is a passion for that particular thing. THIS BELIEF AND APPROACH MISSES THE MARK! And it is certainly a sure way to miss the heart of God. For we can certainly have passion for the wrong things.

The key to a life that is pleasing to God is to have a PASSION not for what we desire to do, but to have a PASSION for OBEYING GOD! For doing what HE has commanded us to do whether we are passionate about it or not. God is looking for a people who prize obedience, faithfulness and a willingness to persevere through hardship, crisis and pain even when it is not pleasant and convenient.

The reason why we would much rather follow our own passions and desires is because they are exciting, pleasant and usually the path of least resistance. After all, our concept of what God wants for us is defined (most of the time) by what is easy or comes about naturally. This is why I am opposed to putting out fleeces. Fleeces are a negotiating tool used to provoke God to provide a physical sign to prove what He wants you to do. And while there was a time or two when God responded to fleeces in Scripture (for example - Gideon), they are not normative practices as they do not require a walk of faith in His Word and a keen ear to the Spirit of God.

Most of the things that we are required and even commanded to do in life are clearly spelled out in Scripture, but we would rather have a sign or an external act to validate and verify what we should do. With this perceived need in our lives, we see God in whatever we want to see Him in. In other words, it becomes a very subjective way of making decisions in our lives as opposed to depending upon God's objective Word which speaks clearly (if we take time to hear and heed). But I want you to have a Biblical foundation from which to understand what I am saying. It is found in Psalms 3:1-10 which says,

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10  then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”

When we understand that OBEDIENCE is more important than PASSION, our love for God and our faithfulness to Him will bring us good success in life according to verse 4.

However, many operate contrary to the Word of God and rely on circumstances and situation to direct their decisions. They look for signs or put forth fleeces challenging God to perform above and beyond what He has already told us in His Word. Instead of simply seeing in His Word what He says and being obedient to it, we always seem to need more. And when more doesn’t come, we take matters in to our own hands  and justify it as God's will.

I think if Jesus were physically here conducting His teaching ministry, this is an area He would deal with quite a bit. He would rebuke the church for its indifference to His word and a reliance on external sources.

Let us seek diligently to know His word, saturate our selves in it and OBEY. Obedience is better than sacrifice! Yet, what many are willing to sacrifice on the altar of convenience most often brings about devastation and destruction. May we heed II Timothy 3:14-17 which says,

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

In Philippians 3:8-16, Paul makes a very profound statement that describes both how one should live as well as what a right theological understanding will produce in a FAITH FILLED FOLLOWER of Christ. Paul writes,

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Paul is speaking out of humility realizing that he has not yet achieved this profound way of living, yet he is outlining the purpose of life for not only himself, but for everyone that calls themself a Christian - a follower of Christ. Paul is describing the way a FAITH FILLED FOLLOWER of Christ will think, live and move.

The church of the 21st century is in great need of Filled Followers of Christ. It is what our community and world needs, particularly in these days of grave darkness. If local churches are filled with not just bodies but human containers of the fullness of God’s Spirit and human carriers of the anointing of our Lord, then the heavenly vision for earth would be fulfilled and the spiritual strategies of God’s Kingdom would be carried out through the church.

Our spiritual success as a church is directly tied to our spiritual synergy as a people! Synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

So when there is a synergy between FAITH FILLED FOLLOWERS in the context of the local church, there is nothing we can’t accomplish for Christ and His purposes. The cry of our day is an authentic and genuine revival that releases a fresh anointing that breaks through the darkness and pioneers a new way for the church to release the Kingdom of God in the earth.

Paul was saying in our passage that mature believers who are faith filled, will not dwell on the past, but hang onto (in the present) what you have attained on your spiritual journey while always looking forward in faith.

There are certain qualities or identifiable marks on a faith filled follower of Christ that enable them to have significant impact for the Kingdom. Here are a few of those.

Faith Filled Followers will Function in an Intercessory Role

Faithful followers of Christ possess an ability to live in the present and yet possess a prophetic perception of what the future holds. Their faith enables them to cry out for what they see to be God’s will. They watch with anticipation the passing away of the staleness of the old and the breaking forth of a freshness of God making the ancient brand new. In other words, the ancient landmarks are to be re-embraced with the freshness of the Holy Spirit thus empowering ancient truth for the blessed future. Faithful followers stand as intercessors for these things to re-emerge. They pursue in prayer (standing in the gap) for people’s lives to embrace the ancient paths with new vigor and vitality.

Life, society and the world around us is becoming something like we’ve never experienced before. But we don’t need new solutions but rather to hold on to the presence of God and His eternal promises. The ancient truths concerning Christ and the cross are as relevant today as they always have been. Second,

Faith Filled Followers Pattern High Standards and Godly Lifestyles

Faith Filled Followers of Christ often form the habit patterns for coming generations. They have the desire, passion and ability to shape future generations by exemplifying lifestyles of faith and godliness. These patterns are then intended to create new societies and Christ honoring cultures.
For fear of being called legalistic, some compromise giving evidence of a lack of faith and trust in God’s Word. For it is His Word that calls for high standard and godly lifestyles. His word says, “Be ye holy even as I am holy.” Too often, people’s lifestyles are influenced by the environment around them rather than their lifestyles impacting the environment. The whole concept of salt and light in Scripture makes clear our responsibility as faith filled followers of Christ.

Faith Filled Followers Are Visionary and Proactive in Faith

Faith Filled Followers of Christ are visionaries and they are full of creative energy in God to help bring about a bright future. They are contagious and inspirational with the ability to positively provoke others to rise up and see things they could not previously see.

Faith Filled Followers possess an anointing (spiritual energy) of hope that helps them to live out the future that God intends. They do not fear the unknown because they see the future as a reality presented in Scripture. Isaiah outlines for us seven characteristics of a healthy community that God intends for us. It says,

“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness. I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her the voice of weeping and the sound of crying. No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred will be thought accursed. They will build houses and inhabit them; they will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They will not build and another inhabit, They will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain or bear children for calamity; For they are the blessed by the LORD, and their descendants with them. It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent's food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain," says the LORD.” (Isaiah 65:18-25)

Notice that this passage outlines for us a community that experiences: Public Celebration and Happiness; Public Health for Children and the Elderly; Housing for All; Food for All; Meaningful Work; Family Support Systems; and the Absence of Violence.

Faithful Followers are able to rise above the natural limitations of self to fulfill God’s purpose. They rise above empty traditions and fears to achieve divine goals and ideals. They have the anointing of God to turn the times of crisis into times of great opportunities so that Christ is made manifest. They walk in a high levels of hope and inspiration to keep themselves and others from being discouraged by circumstances. Their optimism and hope strengthens and encourages people to move forward. Of course, all this can only be real as a result of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit of God!

So in conclusion, every community is in need of a local church that is full of Faith Filled Followers of Christ intent on making a profound difference in the lives of people. Everything we do as Christians in the local church together - gather to worship, pray, make declarations, sing, fellowship, teach and preach the Word of God, plan and organize ministries and encourage decisions for Christ - is for the purpose of seeing the transformation of lives as well as the transformation of communities and culture all around us.

Yours may not be the largest church in your area, but that doesn’t mean that your church can’t have a large impact. Each and everyone in your church has a platform for influence. It may be small, medium size or large. But we can all help others if we ourselves will follow Christ full of faith and full of love. The key to it all is the measure to which Christ has one’s heart.

In an effort to do things “decently and in order” as the Scripture commands (I Corinthians 14:40), we need to look at how we do what we do in the church. Paul addressed many things in relation to how the local church is to be structured, how it is to be led and how ministry and worship is to be conducted. These instructions are helpful to us but what is the proper and orderly way for Baptism and Communion to be conducted?

There is a lot written about ‘who can be baptized’ but there is very little about ‘who can baptize’. Yet there are those who will say that any believer can baptize another who repents of their sins and declares Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Then there are those who hold the position that only ordained Elders/Pastors should administer the ordinances and sacraments of the church. There are fine people and brilliant thinkers on both sides of this issue.

The main point for those that are in favor of any Christian baptizing a new believer typically hold to the concept of the ‘priesthood of all believers’ mainly because of the lack of explicit language. They will argue that there is nothing clear or direct in Scripture concerning who can baptize and with this lack of clarity, it would seem to be open to any Christian to baptize a new believer.

I would contend, however, that the very nature of the ordinances/sacraments shows us the necessity for them to be done ‘decently and in order’ within the context of the local church. In other words, baptism and communion are not random acts that can be conducted outside the confines of the local church. They are local church acts!

Now, in order for us to understand more fully, we need to understand the differences between an ordinance and a sacrament. It is important to be familiar with two views: Sacerdotalism and Memorialism.

Sacerdotalism is the Roman Catholic viewpoint which says that the sacraments have the power to convey the very blessings that they signify. In other words, the sacraments have the power to confer the grace which they signify. This is the very thing that the Reformers stood against.

Memorialism is the view that the sacraments have no real power at all and are only enacted to memorialize what Christ did on the cross. It is merely an exercise in obedience. This is the view held by the most evangelical churches including many Baptists. This was a position developed to refute the Catholic view.

Our position is a more Reformed view and stands with the Westminster Confession of faith which says:

There is, in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified: whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other.

The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it: but upon the work of the Spirit, and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers.

The confession teaches that only ordained ministers can provide the sacraments, of which there are only two: baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Our position stands apart from the Sacerdotal or Memorial viewpoints. As the Confession says, there is a sacramental union (or spiritual relationship) between the sign and the thing signified. In other words, there is something that God does within the act of the sacraments. There is a conveyance from God of grace - not for the removal of sin or for salvation as these are conveyed by God’s saving grace that enables us to then place our faith in Christ - but for living grace (life in the Spirit). So when a sacrament is properly administrated, God Himself effectuates and conveys which is more than merely signifying something. Yet, at the same time, it is also remembering. So it is not either/or but both/and. In other words, the sacraments are also ordinances in that they also signify. Two things occur in baptism and communion: Remembrance and Reaffirmation.

The importance of these sacraments requires that they are administrated properly which means that only those who are ordained should administrate an ordinance. Only those recognized as spiritual authority (Elders and Pastors) should administrate the sacraments. These leaders have been given responsibility to make sure that participants are Biblically qualified to participate. The failure to give spiritual oversight to such important matters and improperly administrate is considered blasphemous.

Here are some reasons why the sacraments/ordinances should be administrated by those who are called and ordained to church leadership.

1) The Bible clearly shows us that those who performed baptism in the New Testament Scriptures were set apart by Christ to serve specifically in the church. Examples of this are Peter, Paul and Phillip. Even as we consider the Great Commission and the command to baptize, we see that specifically the commission was given to the apostles. It is implicit in the Great Commission that churches would be birthed and leaders would be called, commissioned and ordained to fulfill the Great Commission over the centuries to come as well as to administrate the duties of the local church as outlined eventually by the Apostle Paul. There is no indication in Scripture that just any Christian could privately or otherwise administrate the sacraments.

2) Theologically, we must understand that Christ is the head of the church and rules the church through representative leadership. As the Chief Shepherd, He has assigned under shepherds and placed them in specific offices to govern His church. This is done through the Elders who serve to oversee, lead, guide and pastor. The sacraments/ordinances involve spiritual oversight, spiritual leadership and the administration of grace which incumbent upon those in the offices established by Christ and His Word.

3) There are those that will argue that the ‘priesthood of all believers’ allows for the administration of the sacraments by any Christian. However, this is to take that concept out of context. The’ priesthood of believers’ is about access to God through Christ and affirms the holy nature of God’s people (I Peter 2:9). It does not justify the administration of sacraments. In the Old Testament (Exodus 19:6), Israel was called a kingdom of priests but were not allowed to perform the duties that the Levites were called to perform. There was a whole tribe set apart to carry out specific duties ordained by God that only they could do.

4) There are practical reasons for the sacraments to be administered by those ordained into church leadership. Due to the importance of the sacraments (Baptism and Communion), there must be a process of evaluation and accountability. The sacraments are church acts that require an understanding for what they do within the context of the church and under the guidance of the church leaders. Baptism is the doorway into the house of God (the church) and Communion is the family meal inside the house at the dinner table. Elders and pastors have been ordained to be door keepers to the house as well as servers of the meal. This is a huge responsibility which requires calling, preparation and humility.

These are just some of the reasons that give credence to the administration of the sacraments being in the hands of ordained Elders and Pastors.

Now, the application can vary. For example, under the direction of an Elder or Pastor, I think it would be appropriate for a spiritually mature faithful father who is a baptized member in good standing of the church to be involved in the baptism of his children under the direction and in conjunction with an ordained church leader. This provides both jurisdictions (family and church) to be represented without violating biblical principle.

So, in conclusion, we aim to treat the commands of Christ and the instructions of Paul for the church (inspired by the Holy Spirit) as important and holy. We want to do all things ‘decently and in order’. We believe that obedience brings blessing and discipline develops patterns that produce health and prosperity.

May God continue to build His church and in the process may He enlighten us as to what pleases His heart. And may we avoid making the church in our own image by disregarding the ‘due order’ He communicates to us in His Word.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (I John 1:5-10)

 I would like to think that Christians, who have been in the Word of God and have been faithful to participate in the Church, would understand the concept and dynamic of transformation. And while we would all, perhaps, say that we want to be transformed, I wonder how many of us really surrender to the things that God uses to do this in our lives. First of all, we need to understand what TRANSFORMATION really means.

The Bible is clear and best communicates the concept of TRANSFORMATION in Romans 12:2, where it says,

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

This simply means that transformation is when our minds are radically changed from an old way of thinking to a new way of thinking and the new way is able to discern and understand the will of God and do it. Transformation is an enlightenment, an empowerment and an expression! The renewing of our minds is an inward spiritual transformation that will manifest itself in outward actions. Colossians 1:10 gives us the results:

“So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:10)

Evidence of transformation is in the way in which we reflect the likeness and glory of Christ! And this statement raises the question, ‘How well do we reflect the image and likeness of Christ?’ Paul stated to the Corinthians in II Corinthians 3:18,

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

And Romans 8:9 says, “… Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” (Romans 8:9).

In other words, for us to be considered as children of God, we must be led by the Spirit of God. And it is through the power of God’s Spirit that Christ lives within us. The transformed life reflects the attitude of the apostle Paul found in Galatians 2:20:

 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

The source of this transformation is the gospel. Paul says in I Corinthians 1:18,

 “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved (being transformed), it is the power of God.”

Transformed lives begin with the gospel message of Christ, for in it is the power of God. It is the gospel that brings us salvation and thus transforms our lives. Romans 1:16-17 says:

 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” (Romans 1:16-17)

But there are some means of grace that we must surrender to upon the calling of God for the fullness of transformation to take place. For example, let us understand …

The Work of God in Conversion 

Spiritual conversion is so profound that it involves many changes in a person. It involves a change at the very core of our being. For example, a change of mind - which is an intellectual change; a change of view - a new recognition of God, self, sin, and Christ; a change of affections which communicates an emotional change, a change of feeling, a sorrow for sin committed against a holy and just God. It involves a change of will which is a volitional change, an intentional turning away from sin and a turning to God through Christ to seek forgiveness. The entire person—mind, affections, and will—is radically, completely, and fully changed in conversion.

There is a coordination between regeneration and conversion. Theologically speaking, regeneration and conversion are two sides of the same coin. There is a regeneration in the soul. Regeneration is God’s sovereign activity by the Holy Spirit in the soul of one who is spiritually dead in sin. Regeneration is the implantation of new life in the soul. Regeneration gives the gifts of repentance and faith.

On the other side of the coin, conversion is the response of the one who is regenerated. Esteemed British pastor D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said: “Conversion is the first exercise of the new nature in ceasing from old forms of life and starting a new life. It is the first action of the regenerate soul in moving from something to something.” Regeneration precedes and produces conversion. There is a cause-and-effect relationship between these two. Regeneration is the cause, and conversion is the effect. Put another way, regeneration is the root and conversion is the fruit. All of this causes us to see then …

The Work of God in Consecration 

Consecration revealed in the New Testament is for every believer in Christ. It’s not something only for knowledgeable Christians or spiritually mature ones. In fact, we cannot subjectively know the life of Christ in us or reach spiritual maturity without consecrating ourselves to the Lord. This is because consecration is the basis for every spiritual experience.

So what is consecration? Consecration is our giving ourselves to the Lord to become “a living sacrifice,” as Paul says in Romans 12:1:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

In the Old Testament, a sacrifice was something set apart for God by being put on the altar. When people offered that thing to God, it no longer belonged to the one offering it. It belonged to God, for His use and His satisfaction.

Today, when we consecrate ourselves to the Lord, we become a living sacrifice. We give up our own claims on ourselves and put ourselves completely in His hands. Previously, our life was for our use and our satisfaction; now it is for His.

When we present ourselves to the Lord as a living sacrifice, we’re simply saying, “Lord Jesus, I am for You. I’m no longer for myself, the world, or anything else. I am for Your use and Your satisfaction.” But CONSECRATION is an act of PURIFICATION! And purification requires a lifestyle of Confession and Repentance. So we consider …

The Work of God in Confession 

Confession is a response to the gift of grace given by the Holy Spirit! Yet, confession is so overlooked in our lives or at the very least, it is misunderstood and therefore not practiced properly. There is an old adage that says, ‘confession is good for the soul.’ This is, of course, very true. It liberates the soul if practiced sincerely and faithfully. But we need to understand this practice in order to live in freedom! We need to define what confession means and we also need to understand what absolution means.

Confession means to agree, acknowledge or to admit. It is to come into alignment with what God defines as sin and admit to it. Otherwise we will remain bound to the power of the particular sin. When we confess our sins, the faithful work of Christ on the cross is applied. Just as 1John 1:9 says,

“If we CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”

This verse was not written to unbelievers but to believers. Therefore, there is an ongoing responsibility to CONFESS our sins - not for the purpose of keeping our salvation but for the purpose of revealing our salvation. When we confess, Christ absolves us of our sin!

Absolution means that when we confess our sins, the gospel assures that our sins are forgiven. No priest on earth and no other human being can absolve you of your sins. Only Christ, our High Priest, can do that. Absolution is a formal release from guilt, obligation or punishment.And while absolution is the work of the gospel and the Spirit of Christ, there is significance in confessing before a witness that exercises spiritual authority in someone’s life. It provides for the proper accountability!

In order for this to make sense, we must take a deeper look into the concept of CONFESSION! There are different kinds of confession that also involves accountability. There is …

• General Confession 

‘General Confession’ is when we collectively as a church confess our sinfulness in the communion liturgy. In this liturgy, like this morning, there is an exhortation to confess sin; a declaration that that the gospel absolves us of sin and a reaffirmation of our faith in Christ and His work in our lives.

• Individual Confession 

Silent confession takes place daily when we acknowledge sin in our hearts during prayer, and when we are consistently open before God. We acknowledge ourselves guilty of all manner of sins, even of those which we do not perceive. We want to be open before God and acknowledge our sinfulness and not deny our sins. Proverbs 28:13 says,

 “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

• Private Confession 

Private confession is when the Spirit of God reveals sin in your life and you need a confessional witness for accountability purposes. This confession is not like that which takes place in the Catholic Church. Rather it is a means by which you are able to be more properly discipled.

Men need to have spiritual fathers in their lives to make themselves accountable to for the purpose of avoiding sin. Women need spiritual mothers for the same reason. But these father and mothers cannot absolve you of sin, but they can be. Witness of your confession and a help to encourage and strengthen you in your weakness. In James it is written:

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and i will cover a multitude of sins”.(James 5:13-16; 19-20)

James shows us that spiritual leaders (Elders) took on significant roles in the spiritual work of the Cross in people’s lives. The work of healing and the forgiveness of sins resulted in the church when proper accountability and confessions were made.

I am convinced that many never get freedom over certain sins in their lives because they have been convinced that they can simply confess in private and that’s all that is required. This can certainly work but with a witness and and encourager, the strength of certain sins loses its grip because light is allowed in to the hidden places of the heart.

Martin Luther, the Great 15th Century Reformer writes: “Peoples whose consciences the devil holds captive in his snares and has fascinated and worn out so thoroughly that they do not know how to release and extricate themselves but only feel and see that they are bound to perish. For there is no greater misery in this life than the pains and anguish of a heart that lacks advice and consolation. Therefore such people should be given an open door to confession …”
We need to remember that in order for a conscience to operate properly it must be enlightened and guided by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

• Confession of Love 

Confession of love is when the Spirit of God reveals to us that we have sinned against another and we go to that person and confess seeking forgiveness. This is done is faith believing that in doing so, we activate forgiveness in heaven and are absolved.

 Confession of love is confessing and asking forgiveness when we offend a brother or sister, regardless how we feel about it. God’s Word requires us to care for offenses against a brother or sister. This preserves and strengthens mutual love and makes our journey with our brothers and sisters easier. When the gospel is preached, the love between brother and sister is restored and there is peace in their hearts.

Sometimes we do not know that we have offended another brother and that is why God has given us the Church Law of Christ. Jesus instructs the offended person to approach the one that has offended.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” (Matt 18:15-17)

 It is sometimes difficult to forgive. But remember Jesus’ words … “If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”(Mark 11:26)

• Public Confession 

Sin need only be confessed as far and wide as they have offended. For example, if a church member has fallen into repetitive, lifestyle sin, they have offended the body and broken their covenant with the Lord and His church. This kind of sin needs public confession before the congregation! A gospel preaching church can then be a gospel practicing church by releasing forgiveness while heaven releases absolution.

As we move forward to becoming a more gospel saturated community of believers, it is imperative that we practice these things in compliance with God’s Word. Only then will we see real TRANSFORMATION take place in people’s lives.

So, in conclusion, the Bible says, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1).

Our salvation is established by Christ in the gospel and the belief that our sins are forgiven. All our sins, past, present and future are forgiven but this forgiveness is appropriated by faith expressed through CONFESSION and REPENTANCE.

We can thank our Lord Jesus Christ that He has taken our sins away. We can praise God that he has given us His only Son and that we can also be His child.

 “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11-12)

By the gospel, we receive the comforting assurance that these sins are forgiven. This is the mystery of the Gospel.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. “(Psalm 103:12)

Despite living in the 21st century, our greatest example of a teacher is from the first century. He is, of course, the Lord, Jesus Christ! He showed us how to actually relate to people, engage them and guide them to being the best they could be. He wasn’t a directive type of teacher who monologued people to death but rather encouraged dialogue. He did so by drawing His disciples into experiential learning. He empowered His disciples to participate and create solutions. He spoke in narratives and metaphors to articulate truth and He painted pictures with words that enlivened the mind and heart. Jesus made room for His disciples to connect through conversation even when there was disagreement and debate.
 
This is the kind of teacher and leader that is needed today, especially when dealing with the Millennials and Generation X. Every generation has had unique characteristics that required certain leadership methods. Of course, there are similarities in every generation as well. But it is crucial to understand those unique issues in order to apply the right relational patterns for breakthrough.
 
Dr. Leonard Sweet, an American theologian, church historian, pastor and author has written and spoken extensively on the ways this current generation responds based upon cultural and family factors. It is Dr. Sweet that describes the way that Millennials and Generation X should be engaged. He defines this way as EPIC. EPIC is an acrostic that stands for - Experiential, Participatory, Imagery and Connection. I will take time to briefly outline these things in an effort to help us reach this generation and to be effective at discipleship and mission through the local church.
 
First, let’s understand the unique characteristics of the current living generations and the factors that have contributed to the way they are. If we want to be effective with the gospel, we need to know what makes people tick. We need to understand our audience - not to change the gospel or cater it to the current culture, but rather to simply understand why they respond the way they do. While the message never changes, our methods of communication and connection should be evaluated so that we are clear with the message. At the end of the day, everyone has a personal responsibility with what they hear. There is a chart below that can assist us in understanding the generations.
 
Leonard Sweet has done a great job giving us some valuable keys to reaching the Millennials (Generation Y) and (Generation Z). EPIC stands for:
 
E – Experiential
 
Young people in our day and time are experiential in nature. They are more prone to learn through experience as opposed to sermons and lectures. They are in need of environments that are interactive and inclusive. The more they experience an issue the greater the absorption rate of said issue. They need experiential guides more than they need verbal instructors only. Of course, the best case scenario is both, but they will miss most of what is taught if they are not empowered through engagement.
 
P – Participatory
 
Young people need to be included in the process of making decisions. They do not respond well to being token participants. Rather, when included they become passionate for what it is they have part in. Generations Y and Z have grown up in situations where they have had a voice, more specifically in the home. The extreme of this is that parents allowed decisions to be made perhaps too soon and now there is an aspect of spoiling that carries over. The social media age has pulled these young people in to participate in making decisions via apps, texts, internet, etc. However, the characteristic of needing to participate remains. So how do we now develop that characteristic to function in a mature, positive way for the betterment of the young person and those that will be served? Young people need to be included at a rate that keeps their interest level high while helping them to understand the process of growing influence. A renewed understanding of responsibility and accountability is needed. The key is that older generations identify how we can better connect with the youth and communicate in ways that draw them in believing that they are value to the process.
 
I – Imagery
 
We are living in a highly visual age. With TV, internet, billboards, mall displays, etc., we are bombarded on every side with imagery aimed to influence. Words are not as important as they once were - a picture is indeed worth a thousand or more words. The younger generations are motivated more by what they see than what they hear. The media and business understands this far more than the church and the church is hurt by this. We are so afraid that learning anything from anthropology, sociology and social sciences is to compromise the Scriptures and our religious tradition. Yet, it is unwise not be aware of the complexities of human nature and the human psyche.
 
Jesus, Himself, used imagery to communicate the truths of the Kingdom. Yes, He spoke and used words, but prior to technology, there was an art in painting pictures with words that touched the heart. Jesus did this well! We need to understand the tools that we have at our disposal to make a connection with the generations that are moved by imagery.
 
C – Connection
 
Dialogue is the desire of the day! Young people are hungry for community, conversation and real connection. They find this, unfortunately, in places like Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites. While these things can be positive tools for good, it would be far better for real, human, personal connection. Young people rise up and are at their best when they are able to discuss even debate with one another as well as those that are older. While this certainly can and has created division, if facilitated properly without judgement, it can create a greater connection than what we might imagine.
 
Connection happens best when there is a forum for process. In the process, there should be freedom to share ideas and thoughts, reflect on these ideas and thoughts, revisit these ideas and thoughts and even think out loud without criticism.
We are living in challenging times and there is a great need for the church to rethink it’s methodology for reaching the younger generations. This type of comment could invoke criticism from those who think that I am promoting compromise but again, it is not about changing the message of the gospel. It is about removing the hindrances (as best we can) that can cause young people to not hear the gospel and learn how the gospel not only saves but sanctifies. Jesus was criticized for a new method of dealing with people. He conversed with people, touched people, loved people, and listened to people. He gave people experiences not just words. He led His own disciples to participate in His ministry and of course, they eventually led the gospel movement. He taught with imagery and visuals that gave people real perspective and understanding. And He led people as well as His own leaders to connect at deep levels through dialogue, disagreement and debate.
 
Christ is our example of how we today can be effective at reaching the NOW generation as well as the NEXT. Our hope that together, the NOW and the NEXT will become NEW
through and EPIC ministry to all!

After 32 years of ministry and teaching on almost every subject imaginable from the Scriptures, I am still amazed at some of the mindsets and practices of Christians in the church. The retention level in the 21st century church seems to be lower than ever and when you add the ‘hit and miss’ habit of church attendance to it, it is no wonder that people do not know, learn and grow. I have finally come to the conclusion that you can never assume that people are connecting with what you are communicating.
 
While I could deal with any number of issues that would make a good example, I want to address the sacraments. Recently, I delivered a very detailed teaching on the importance of Baptism and Communion as sacred acts commanded in Scripture. I shared that baptism is when our faith goes public and while it is not something that saves us, it is an expression of our salvation and an entry way into the body of Christ. I also dealt with the fact that it is something that precedes one’s participation in communion because communion is a reaffirmation of one’s faith that has previously been publicly expressed through baptism and communion is also an acknowledgement of one’s continued connection with the body of Christ that someone has been baptized into.
 
On occasion during communion, even after giving a clear explanation of what we are about to do, I will still have people wanting to participate but have not made a public profession of repentance of sin and confession of faith in Christ through baptism. And while I am grateful for their desire to participate, there is a spiritual protocol clearly taught in Scripture that we must obediently teach and follow. Communion is for baptized believers in good standing with the Lord and His church. Therefore, it is important to say that: “Baptism is a Prerequisite for Communion.”
 
Certainly, there are churches that would not hold this position for a variety of reasons - mostly, I suspect, for lack of Biblical scholarship, mere convenience, or the perceived need for inclusion in order to reach people. But if we appeal to Scripture as well as look at the position of the historic church, we will see that they both advance the belief that only baptized believers should participate in the Lord’s Supper! So here is why I believe it is a biblical position.
 
The Two Sacraments of Baptism and Communion
 
The Holy Scriptures make clear that there are two sacraments that the church should practice. They are baptism and communion. And while they are sacred acts that the church is to engage, they have two different functions in the life of the believer.
The act of baptism is an act that follows one’s profession of repentance of sin and confession of faith in Christ Jesus. It is a one time act that immediately follows conversion and is an act that makes one’s faith public! More specifically, baptism IDENTIFIES one with Christ and INITIATES one into the body of Christ.
 
The Bible is clear about baptism and the Great Commission is one such passage. It is in this section of Scripture that we are told “…make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Throughout the book of Acts and other scriptures, believers are baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:39; 8:16; 10:48). The Apostle Paul taught that believers are baptized into the body of Christ in passages such as Galatians 3:27 and Romans 6:5. Paul goes on to say to the Corinthians in chapter 12, verse 13 that believers were all baptized into one body. This is a clear statement validating that believers baptism IDENTIFIES someone with Christ and INITIATES that believer into the church. Of course, the most obvious wording that communicates this concept is Acts 2:38-41. It says that people repented, believed and were baptized. The result was that they were added to the church!
 
Now, when it comes to communion, it is not a one time act but one that is to be repeated ‘often’. The communion table is to be a common table not in terms of repetitive duty, but in terms of regular devotion. Communion is a practice that communicates COMMITMENT to Christ, CONTINUITY in the faith and CONNECTION with the local church. It is certainly a REMEMBRANCE of what Christ has done for us in the past. It is also a RECOGNITION of His presence with us in the present and a REAFFIRMATION of our faith to continue living for Him in the future.
 
The Apostle Paul makes this very clear in I Corinthians 10:16-17. He says, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”
 
Baptism Before Communion: God’s Order of the Sacraments
 
Since we have established that baptism is when faith goes public and places one into the body of Christ, and since communion is the ongoing, regular event that reminds us of the passion of the Christ, an act of renewing our faith and experiencing His presence, it would be out of order for anyone to partake of communion without first having been baptized as a believer.
 
The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians, and therefore us today, not to eat and drink of communion in an unworthy manner (I Corinthians 1:27). This is in the context of what communion means - a renewing of faith and a reaffirmation of our commitment to Christ. But since baptism is the first step of obedience for the believer, it would be necessary to complete this step before eating of communion. Otherwise it is partaken in an unworthy manner!
 
We see this order clearly in Acts 2:41-42. First, in verse 41, the new believers were baptized, added to the church and then in verse 42 they broke bread together. And when Paul is teaching the Corinthians about communion in chapter 11, he is writing to baptized believers in Christ. This is the clear contextual understanding as we read chapter one.
 
But what about the historic church? The historic church, though not the final authority on the matter (the Scriptures are), does give us direction and shows us how to understand the doctrine. While the method and timing have often been disputed, the fact that baptism is a prerequisite for communion is common among the vast majority of the historic church.
 
So, in conclusion, let me emphasize that it is very important to have a strong commitment to the commands of Christ found in Scripture! If we believe in His word and we want to follow Him closely and carefully, then we should take these things seriously. Parents need to be reminded that their children should be baptized before participating in communion. And being faithful to the order as well as the meaning and purpose also helps us discern who is a follower or not. Now, we know that baptism itself does not make someone a Christian and it certainly does not indicate their spirituality. But the church has been given authority by Christ to guide people into faith and through the process of connecting in the body. Communion is the family meal and baptism is the doorway into the dining room. It is the church, the family of God, that affirms the reality of a person’s profession of repentance and confession of Christ as Savior and Lord. This is why baptism is a prerequisite for communion. It is where faith goes public, entry into the family is announced and a chair is set at the table for the one who is properly connected.