Household of Faith Ezine # 180

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galations 6:10)

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Household of Faith Ezine is published by
Joel Hendon
Piedmont, Alabama.
Volume 8, no. 05
February 19, 2008

Photo: Today has been a bad hair day.

(Disclaimer: Some articles and links to articles published in this ezine may contain false doctrine. They are included due to some valuable content. The fact that they are printed here does not mean that we accept or endorse their doctrine. All writings of men, including ours, should be carefully compared to the New Testament writings.)

Visit the website of the Piedmont (Alabama) church of Christ, where you will find myriad links to valuable Bible study aids, plus free Bible Study Courses, via mail or online:
www.piedmontcoc.org/index.html.

Notice: Last week you received ezine # 179 which should not have been sent until the 19th. Senility got me again. Anyway, I hurriedly put this one together in order to get back on my correct schedule. You folks just have to remember, I ain't all there these days. And Saturday, I broke a rib that hurts like forty. I've got the "blues".

BEAUTIFUL MEMORY VERSE
(Lamentations 1:3)
Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits. (KJV)

Judah has gone into captivity, Under affliction and hard servitude; She dwells among the nations, She finds no rest; All her persecutors overtake her in dire straits. (NKJV)

We Need To Stop And Count Our Blessings

The article below is by brother Raymond Elliott who lives in Prattville, Alabama where a really ugly tornado came through a few days ago. It happened to be across town from where he lived but he tells me that several of the brethren's homes were damaged and one totally destroyed. A couple of weeks ago, another frontal system came through the south and killed a bunch of people, 5 here in Alabama. I'm glad that I don't wait for such things to thank our almighty God for my life and health (even with a broken rib). I enjoy thanking Him for the the shelter over my head, the warm blanket around my shoulders and the peace that passeth understanding.

Brother Raymond is an accomplished deer hunter. You should read some of his escapades as a great white hunter. He is a good friend of mine and I have learned to love the fellow although I've never seen him, never heard him speak. But I have read many of his writings and if he shoots as straight with a deer rifle as he does with God's word, I know he has never run short of venison. If you would like to read some of his writings, go to this url: http://www.prattvillechurch.org/raymond_writings/raymond_2.htm, then if you will just change the 2 to a 3, and on up, you'll find lot's of excellent reading, and sermon material.

“FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS”
Raymond Elliott

Jesus Christ, on the night of his betrayal, instituted the Lord’s Supper. In reference to the fruit of the vine, he said: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). Jesus spoke in prospect, that is, his blood was to be shed for the remission of sins. It is declared in Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and, without shedding of blood is no remission.” It is plain to see that Jesus shed his blood in order that man might have the forgiveness of his sins. Jesus did not shed his blood because man was already saved. His blood was “FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS” (Matthew 26:28, Emphasis mine, RE). Now, by understanding this expression, “for the remission of sins” in this light, it will not be difficult for one to perceive the meaning of the same expression in another passage.

The apostle Peter preached Christ and him crucified on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-24). He instructed those people to “know assuredly” or believe confidently that Jesus was “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). We know that many believed in Christ because “they were pricked in their heart” and inquired of Peter and the rest of the apostles as to what they should do to be saved (v.37). By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded them to “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38, KJV, Emphasis mine, RE). It is evident that many understood and accepted the terms of obedience in order to have forgiveness of their sins. There is no reason whatsoever to think otherwise. It would be unnatural to assume that some three thousand people thought that they were to repent and be baptized because their sins had already been washed away. They repented and were baptized in order to have their sins remitted. The Greek word EIS is translated “for” in the King James Version both in Matthew 26:28 and in Acts 2:38. If one can understand that Jesus shed his blood “for the remission of sin, he can also understand that repentance and baptism are “for the remission of sins”. Neither passage carries the meaning “because of” in the context.

The passage in Acts 2:38 that speaks of baptism “for the remission of sins” is not easily misunderstood. It is not a matter of interpretation but a willingness of heart to accept the truth therein stated. Perhaps the various translations of the New Testament will enable all to see that the Greek word EIS (for) in this passage means unto, in order, into, towards.

1. King James Version: “Repent and be baptized…FOR the remission of sins” (Emphasis here and following, mine, RE).
2. American Standard Version: “Repent ye, and be baptized…UNTO the remission of your sins.”
3. Revised Standard Version: “Repent, and be baptized…FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS.”
4. Phillips Translation: “You must repent and everyone of you must be baptized…SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE YOUR SINS FORGIVEN.”
5. New English Bible: “Repent and be baptized…FOR the forgiveness of your sins.”
6. New International Version: “Repent and be baptized…SO THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.”
7. Charles B. Williams: “You must repent and, as an expression of it, let every one of you be baptized…that YOU MAY HAVE YOUR SINS FORGIVEN.”
8. Today’s English Version: “Turn away from your sins, each one of you, and be baptized…SO THAT YOUR SINS WILL BE FORGIVEN.”
9. Living Oracles: “Reform, and be each one of you immersed…IN ORDER TO the remission of sins.”
10. First German Bible: “Repent and let every one of you be baptized…”FOR (IN ORDER, TO, UNTO) the forgiveness of sins.”
11. American Bible Union Translation (1858): “Reform and be immersed every one of you…FOR the remission of sins.”
12. Modern Speech: “Repent,” replied Peter, “and be baptized…WITH A VIEW TO the remission of sins.”
13. Goodspeed’s Translation: “You must repent, and every one of you be baptized IN ORDER TO HAVE your sins forgiven.”
14. Wycliffe’s Translation of the New Testament (translated 1308 and is the oldest complete English translation): “And Petre seide to heem, Do you penaunce, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jhesu Crist, (INTO) remission of youre synnes…”

Other translations could be cited but the ones presented should prove beyond a shadow of doubt that Acts 2:38 teaches a person to repent of sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in order to have his/her sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ according to the infinite grace of God (Ephesians 1:7; 2:5).

Today's Quotes Evolutionists Against Themselves
"But fossil species remain unchanged throughout most of their history and the record fails to contain a single example of a significant transition." (Woodroff, D.S., Science, vol. 208, 1980, p. 716)

"Paleontologists ever since Darwin have been searching (largely in vain) for the sequences of insensibly graded series of fossils that would stand as examples of the sort of wholesale transformation of species that Darwin envisioned as the natural product of the evolutionary process. Few saw any reason to demur - though it is a startling fact that ...most species remain recognizably themselves, virtually unchanged throughout their occurrence in geological sediments of various ages." (Eldredge, Niles, "Progress in Evolution?" New Scientist, vol. 110, 1986, p. 55)

LINKS TO HELP MAKE YOUR DAY!

HOF Ezine Archives

Truth For The World

Wings of Hope

Preacher Training School Online

Traces of the Kingdom

Free Home Bible Study

Mpezeni Park
church of Christ
Chipata, Zambia

The Gospel Gazette Online

Huge List-Study Resources

Kalamindi church of Christ
Ndhiwa, Kenya

Bible Words Correctly Pronounced For You

MUSINGS OF JOEL

More about Benard Kagaga. Things are a bit better than they have been in Kenya. But it is still unsafe to move about very much. Prices are still tripled and some items are scarce. It makes it extremely difficult to get by and provide for one's family when it was already quite difficult to make ends meet. We are extremely thankful for the brothers and sisters who answered our plea for assistance for them. We were able to send Benard enough to take the pressure off for 2 or 3 weeks perhaps. We are still seeking some continued help, either a monthly commitment or a one-time gift. Brother Thomas Musick, one of the elders for the Glencoe, Alabama congregation has set up an account that anyone may send to him anything they can spare. He will keep a complete accounting for receipts and also what has been sent to Benard. When you get that fat income tax refund check back, consider sending some of to a much needed and worthy cause.

We have two commitments for monthly contributions but we need considerably more. We hope to be able to raise $250. to $300. per month for his family expenses plus a little to help him with his mailing and traveling costs. He works with many Truth For The World Bible Course students, often over 100 at the same time. He travels to where several are taking them and holds seminars, he conducts gospel meetings at any point he is asked to and is able to get there. He has helped some congregations who have strayed from the truth, to repent and return to serving God in spirit and in truth again.

If now or at any time, you have something you may contribute, please make your checks out to "Glencoe church of Christ", and earmark it for "Benard account". Then mail it to Thomas Musick, 1412 Cove Creek Drive, Glencoe, Alabama 35905. We will sincerely appreciate it and I can assure you that Benard and his family does also.

PARTING SHOTS FROM JOEL	Nadine & Joel Hendon
To err is human, to blame the next guy is even more so. Every oak tree started out as a couple of nuts who decided to stand their ground. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. May God bless His faithful children, wherever they are.

The Bat, the Birds and the Beasts A great conflict was about to come off between the Birds and the Beasts. When the two armies were collected together the Bat hesitated which to join. The Birds that passed his perch said: "Come with us"; but he said: "I am a Beast." Later on, some Beasts who were passing underneath him looked up and said: "Come with us"; but he said: "I am a Bird." Luckily at the last moment peace was made, and no battle took place, so the Bat came to the Birds and wished to join in the rejoicings, but they all turned against him and he had to fly away. He then went to the Beasts, but soon had to beat a retreat, or else they would have torn him to pieces. "Ah," said the Bat, "I see now".

"He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends." ...Aesop
Note: Some of Aesop's Fables are incompatible with scripture. But most of his advice is good to consider. (jhh)

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Household of Faith Ezine is published every two weeks beginning in September, 2001. Materials in this are gleaned and compiled by the editor, Joel Hendon. Our purpose is to help present items of interest to those who would learn more of God's word.

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