Month: January 2022

Bill Brandstatter

Now that 2022 is here, we are looking at “new” items. The Bible uses the word new'” in a number of very important ways.

A New Name — Isa. 62:2 indicates that God’s people would be called by “a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” This new name obviously is not Jew since that was an old namne. Rather the new name is Christian (Acts 11:26). Isaiah also says God’s servants would be called by “another name.” So no longer is the Old Testament name authorized. Spiritual Israel today is the church (Gal. 6:16).

A New Covenant – God gave us a new covenant. The Hebrews ption writer indicates that in using the word “new” to describe his covenant, the first covenant (Old Testament) was ready to vanish away. (Heb. 8:13). We are, therefore, not subject to the Old Testament and its ordinances since they were nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14).

A New Birth — Jesus spoke in John 3:3, 5 of the “new birth.” This new birth is a spiritual one, not a physical birth. This new birth is required for a person to be identified with Christ. Jesus mentions two elements of the new birth, spirit and water. Many commentators agree the *water here includes the water of baptism.

A New Way — The old way to God included a priest who made sacrifices once a year for the people. (Heb. 9:7) Now individuals can approach the Father directly in prayer. (Matt. 6:9) Christianity, therefore, is a new way of approaching God as compared to the old way of Judaism.

With all the new events that are taking place this year, don’t forget the old ways of God. Remember to read and study the Bible, attend worship services, and obey God as the Bible directs.

Via Bulletin Gold

Rob Albright

A few years back, I entered a men’s baking contest. It
was all desserts. I found a recipe that I liked so I started
putting all the ingredients together. I also took into
account how long I was to cook. It was all spelled out
in the recipe. I thought I made a good cake – at least
some people could eat it.

In the matter of salvation there are different
ingredients. The Bible teaches us we are saved “by
grace, through faith” (Eph. 2:8); by “works” (James
2:24; by “calling on the name of the Lord” (Rom. 10:13;
Acts 22:16); by “obedience” (Heb.5:8-9) by “baptism”
(Mk. 16:16) by “belief” (Acts 16:31); and other things
as well.

Here is my point: Just as the ingredients of the recipe
must be combined to make a cake, so must the
ingredients of salvation be combined. You do not have
salvation by faith alone. Just like you cannot take just
one ingredient and claim to make a cake, you cannot
just pick one ingredient and have salvation. The
ingredients must be combined to get the desired results.
You cannot produce a cake on flour alone and you
cannot have salvation by faith alone.

Via Bulletin Gold