Kevin Wright's blog

One Mistake You’ll SURELY Want to Avoid

One Mistake You’ll SURELY Want to Avoid

A critical and DEADLY error in Bible prophecy made by premillenialists and advocates of the "rapture" theory is politicizing and secularizing the nature of the Lord's Kingdom in prophecy. Prophecies concerning Christ's Kingdom and His throne, such as 2 Sam. 7:13, Isa. 2:2, and Dan 2:44 ALL foretell of a SPIRITUAL Kingdom of Christ coming, rather than a geographical, political, earthly or physical kingdom and scripture is abundantly clear concerning this. Daniel, in describing this Kingdom use a distinct phrase, which indicates the spiritual nature of the then coming Kingdom: "a stone was cut out without hands" ^{Dan. 2:34.} This "stone" is a reference to Christ's Kingdom and the phrase "without hands" is unique to ancient Hebrews to describe to spiritual nature of things. For instance, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." ^{2 Cor. 5:1,} "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:" ^{Col. 2:11} and many others. Also, when Jesus was pressed by the Pharisees regarding the coming of His Kingdom, His response was that it (His Kingdom) would not be one of physical make up or nature, nor one having any geographical location. But, He said that His Kingdom would exist "within" us ^{Lk. 71:20-21.} Likewise, Jesus told Pilate; "My Kingdom is not of this world" ^{Jn. 18:36.}
Finally, in Peter's Pentecost sermon, he affirmed that God's promise to David to raise up his seed to sit on his throne and establish His Kingdom had been fulfilled THEN ^{Acts 2:29-36.}
Therefore, the idea of a coming kingdom and one thousand year reign from earthly Jerusalem isn't consistent with scripture and cannot be TRUE.

kevin_wright1@hotmail.com

"In the Name of Jesus Christ"

"In the Name of Jesus Christ"

When Jesus said to do a certain thing "in His name" or the inspired apostle Paul said to do whatEVER you do "in the name of the Lord Jesus", it neither means to used that phrase or such verbiage over anything you do and God will endorse it.  Nor does it mean that God's blessing will be upon what you've said or done merely by repeating those words.  As CLEARLY delineated in Acts 4:7-12; "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" the expression is an ancient idiom denoting the power or authority officially bestowed upon the words or deed of a servant or steward.  For example, a peace officer goes to your house and knocks on the door, saying "Open the door IN THE NAME OF THE LAW."  If anyone asks you why you opened the door, your response would be "I was ordered or instructed to by the law or IN THE NAME OF the law.  This is EXACTLY why the apostle Peter commanded "Repent and be baptized every one of you IN THE NAME OF Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins" ^{Acts 2:38,} not because thought it was a good idea at the time, or as "an outward expression of an inward grace".  But, simply because the resurrected Lord and Christ, Jesus had commanded it to be so.
However, we observe Oh, so frequently, people saying and doing some of ANY and EVERYthing, I mean almost whatever comes to mind "In the name of Jesus", without regard for God's Word or His AUTHORITY, as though God's Word is irrelevant or is NOT the ultimate and FINAL authority in matters of what we believe, speak and do.  And, it comes as no surprise, since the Lord foretold that this would be the testimony of many at the judgment; "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" ^{Matt. 7:22}
Remember that just saying "in the name of Jesus" doesn't put God's approval on what you do or say; that's what His WRITTEN Word is for.  Jesus declared "the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" ^{Jn. 12:48.}  Also, we will ALL be judged according to what has been WRITTEN ^{Rev. 20:12.}
"And WHATSOEVER ye do, in word or in deed, DO ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." ^{Col. 3:17}

kevin_wright1@hotmail.com

“In the Name of Jesus Christ”

"In the Name of Jesus Christ"

When Jesus said to do a certain thing "in His name" or the inspired apostle Paul said to do whatEVER you do "in the name of the Lord Jesus", it neither means to used that phrase or such verbiage over anything you do and God will endorse it. Nor does it mean that God's blessing will be upon what you've said or done merely by repeating those words. As CLEARLY delineated in Acts 4:7-12; "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" the expression is an ancient idiom denoting the power or authority officially bestowed upon the words or deed of a servant or steward. For example, a peace officer goes to your house and knocks on the door, saying "Open the door IN THE NAME OF THE LAW." If anyone asks you why you opened the door, your response would be "I was ordered or instructed to by the law or IN THE NAME OF the law. This is EXACTLY why the apostle Peter commanded "Repent and be baptized every one of you IN THE NAME OF Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins" ^{Acts 2:38,} not because thought it was a good idea at the time, or as "an outward expression of an inward grace". But, simply because the resurrected Lord and Christ, Jesus had commanded it to be so.
However, we observe Oh, so frequently, people saying and doing some of ANY and EVERYthing, I mean almost whatever comes to mind "In the name of Jesus", without regard for God's Word or His AUTHORITY, as though God's Word is irrelevant or is NOT the ultimate and FINAL authority in matters of what we believe, speak and do. And, it comes as no surprise, since the Lord foretold that this would be the testimony of many at the judgment; "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" ^{Matt. 7:22}
Remember that just saying "in the name of Jesus" doesn't put God's approval on what you do or say; that's what His WRITTEN Word is for. Jesus declared "the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" ^{Jn. 12:48.} Also, we will ALL be judged according to what has been WRITTEN ^{Rev. 20:12.}
"And WHATSOEVER ye do, in word or in deed, DO ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." ^{Col. 3:17}

kevin_wright1@hotmail.com

How To Make A Sound Argument and How To Identify FALSE Conclusions

How To Make A Sound Argument and How To Identify FALSE Conclusions

ANY conclusion that based upon or sustained by a false premise is a FALSE conclusion. For instance, if I asserted the following:

1. "Salvation and forgiveness of sin is granted by God based SOLELY upon believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who was raised from the dead (i.e. faith ONLY)", basing it upon and sustaining it with the following premises:
   1. Jesus and the apostles CLEARLY affirmed that belief ONLY is required for salvation and eternal life ^{Jn. 3:16, 10:29, Rom. 1:16, 5:1}
   2. The apostles and prophets taught that works of obedience are NOT necessary to obtain salvation and forgiveness of sin ^{Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7, Gal. 3:11}, "for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" ^{Gal. 2:16}
   3. The Book of Acts describes those who were saved and converted that WHEN and at the point which they believed ^{Acts 11:17, 16:30-31, 18:8}

Therefore, is it ONLY by one's faith in the Son of God (Jesus Christ) and His shed blood on the cross that salvation and forgiveness of sin is granted.

Now, the fallacy of the above argument is that though several Bible passages are cited I support of the expressed proposition; 1.) The premises given to substantiate the proposition are FALSE themselves and 2.) NEITHER of the inspired passages teach the proposition stated or the premises involved. Therefore, the ENTIRE argument, which so many and perhaps MOST hold is ABSOLUTELY FALSE, being based upon false premises!

However, any argument or proposition which is based upon or substantiated by TRUE, factual premises is sound and TRUE itself, and CANNOT be disproven. For example, examine the following argument:

1. "The Bible teaches that water baptism is essential to salvation from sin and becoming a Christian", basing it upon and sustaining it with the following premises:
   1. Salvation from sins necessitates the forgiveness/remission of one's sins.
      1. Man's sin separates him from God ^{Isa. 59:1-2}
      2. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ" ^{Rom. 6:23}
      1. "and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come" ^{Jn. 8:21}
   2. Sins are forgiven by God and washed away in Christ's blood through water baptism.
      1. "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin" ^{Acts 2:38}
      2. "Arise, be baptized and wash away thy sins" ^{Acts 22:16}
      3. "And such were some of you; but ye were washed, ye were sanctified, ye were justified name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." ^{1 Cor. 6:11}
         1. *Have you ever tried to wash anything without the use of water?
   3. Jesus, the Savior commanded that every human hear believe and be baptized in order to be saved and enter the Kingdom of God
      1. "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" ^{Matt. 28:19-20}
      2. "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God" ^{Jn. 3:5}
      1. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" ^{Mk. 16:15-16}
   4. Obedience to the commands of Jesus Christ is required in order to be saved from sin.
      1. "He became the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him" ^{Heb. 5:9}
      2. "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" ^{2 Thess. 1:7-8}
      1. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" ^{1 Pet. 4:17}

Therefore, it is impossible to be forgiven of sins and to become a Christian apart from and without be baptized (that is immersed in water) for the forgiveness of sins.

kevin_wright1@hotmail.com    

"And You Shall Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit" - Acts 2:38 (Whom or what is this "gift" anyway?)

"And You Shall Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit" - Acts 2:38 (Whom or what is this "gift" anyway?)

 

 

By Kevin L. Wright

"The gift of the Holy Spirit" isn't as some regard it. "The gift which the Holy Spirit has or gives is sanctification, the guarantee of eternal life and intercession for the prayers of God's saints. The gift Peter referred to in Acts 2:38 is the Holy Spirit Himself "whom God HATH GIVEN to them that obey him" ^{Acts 5:32.}

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God DWELLETH IN YOU?" ^{1 Cor. 3:16}

"And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which He HATH GIVEN US." ^{1 Jn. 3:24}

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God DWELL IN YOU. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" ^{Rom. 8:9}

"What? know ye not that YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE Holy Ghost WHICH IS IN YOU, WHICH YE HAVE of God, and ye are not your own? "^{1 Cor. 6:19}

Now, this in NO WAY suggests that this indwelling of God's Holy Spirit empowers us, His saints miraculously. That's NOT what Peter meant that morning. Remember, Christ's own forerunner, John was "filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." ^{Lk. 1:15.} Yet, he performed NO miracles ^{Jn. 10:41}

But, the Holy Spirit #1. Sanctifies us ^{Rom. 15:16, 2 Thess. 2:13,} #2. Seals us with the guarantee of our eternal inheritance ^{Eph. 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 1:22,} #3. And, is our intercessor (i.e. to appeal to us on God's behalf, through His Word and to appeal to God on our behalf through prayer), But, He does NOT speak to us personally, empower us miraculously, give us any special divine knowledge or prophetic insight. What is even more remarkable than the miraculous, is that NOW God performs His divine will and purpose through the use of the NATURAL processes and the orchestration of natural law (i.e. DIVINE PROVIDENCE).

kevin_wright1@hotmail.com

The Lord’s ONE Church

The Lord's ONE Church

Jesus foretold of His church and His Kingdom as being comprised of both Jew and Gentiles together in "ONE fold" and under "ONE Shepherd" – Jn. 10:16. Notice that Jesus will establish His "fold" by leading sheep out of one "fold" and into His own – vs. 1-5. Then He indicated that He would also gather the Gentiles into that same "fold". Yes, that fold is His and He leads the sheep into that ONE fold. Not only that, but He Himself is the Door" through which ALL who enter in MUST pass – vs. 7, 9.
In the Greek language there is no "indefinite article" (i.e. "a", "an" or "some") denoting one or more of many as in English. So, when the definite article "the" is used, it truly indicates the existence of ONLY one of anything to which it makes reference (e.g. "the wife", "the church", "the faith", "the Lord", "the Spirit", etc.)
Therefore, when you read in scripture that "He (Christ) is the Head of THE body, THE church" – Col. 1:18, this not only means that Jesus Christ is the Head of only ONE church into which He places ALL those who are saved – Acts 2:47, but also that there exists only ONE church into which He places ALL the saved – 1 Cor. 12:12-13/Eph. 3:6. The inspired apostle Paul wrote that Jesus gave Himself for "THE church", that in His blood, He sanctified and cleansed "THE church" and that He will return one day to receive unto Himself "THE church" which He Himself founded – Matt. 16:18, had "purchased with His own blood" – Acts 20:28 and "THE church" over which He Himself is the Head – Eph. 1:22-23/Col. 1:18.
Therefore, multiple churches of differing origins, "faiths" and practices CANnot be identified or associated with the Lord Jesus Christ.

kevin_wright1@hotmail.com

What Is Worship?

What Is Worship?
Worship, though not explicitly defined in scripture is easily understood and quite simple and practical in nature compared to the practices of modern churches today. This is a crucial problem. And, crucial it is because of two Biblical questions which demand Biblical answers: ^1.) Is there such a thing as unacceptable or inappropriate worship? Yes! Consider to vile state of God's own people due to their worship practices. "Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted Thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts." ^{Mal. 1:7-8,} and ^2.) Will God reject an unacceptable or inappropriate offering? Yes! Consider God's response those very people and their worship to Him; "I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand" ^{Mal. 1:10.} Therefore, it is imperative that Christians see to it that we understand both the nature and necessity of Biblical and acceptable worship.
The idea Biblically, is to "draw near" to ^{Heb. 10:22} or enter the presence of God; and the Bible is clear on HOW to do so. Jesus affirmed that since "God is spirit", then it is only appropriate to, in correspondence with His nature, approach Him spiritually; "in spirit and in TRUTH" ^{Jn. 4:23-24.} This expression means to serve God with the proper attitude of humility, sincerity, fear and love for Almighty God, and according to the TRUTH of God's Word; as specified in scripture. This means, that since God is the SOLE object of worship, it is He ALONE who determines what proper and "acceptable" worship is. He has never authorized man to arbitrarily decide for himself what constitutes acceptable worship. In fact, Jesus told the Pharisees; "in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" ^{Matt. 15:9.} Nevertheless, man has ever attempted to approach Almighty God upon his own pretenses. But such attempts were always unfruitful and even detrimental. The Lord rejected Cain's offering which he himself deemed acceptable ^{Gen. 4:3-5.} Brothers, Nadab and Abihu died a fiery death, having offered unto God that which He had NOT instructed them ^{Lev. 10:1-2}
Therefore, notice the force and the authority of the silence of scripture. It is NOT permissible to offer worship or to practice such things that are NOT specifically or explicitly forbidden in scripture. Christians are instructed to do ALL that we do, whether it be "in word or in deed" by the authority of Jesus ^{Col. 3:16-17;} which means that Heavenly authority is required and indispensable to the worship we offer to God. So, scriptural New Testament worship includes prayer, "singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs", preaching and teaching and the Lord's Supper. With these we can be sure that God is well-pleased having done so with a humble, sincerely loving and reverent heart toward Him ^{Heb 13:15-16.}

kevin_wright1@hotmail.com

The Spirit vs. the Letter (One gives life and the other kills)

The Spirit vs. the Letter (One gives life and the other kills)

"for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." ^{2 Cor. 3:6}

What Paul referred to in this passage as "The letter" is none other than God's covenant with the nation of Israel, which he summarized and engraved into stone in ten commandments; "But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance…" ^{2 Cor. 3:7,} whereas "the Spirit" referred to by Paul is a clear reference to the covenant of Jesus Christ which was given through His apostles and prophets by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and confirmed/authenticated through miracles, signs and wonders all wrought by the Holy Spirit ^{Heb. 2:3-4/Mk. 16:20.}

"Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" ^{Eph. 3:4-5}

False ideas concerning the phrase above from 2 Cor. 3 have been promoted good and acceptable before Godat obedience to law is negative, while the attention to the nature or intent of the for some time now and widely accepted. One of those erroneous notions is that keeping the "spirit of the law" of God is somehow acceptable to God or more God's intent than to keep the "letter of the law" of God, which many consider legalistic. However, it has NEVER been the case throughout Bible history that God did not mean what He actually said, or that perhaps the actual meaning or intent of His words were somehow more important than His actual words themselves. Eve was trapped by such thinking, when she was told what was understood as God's intent for the law as opposed to God's actual words (or "letter") of the law ^{Gen. 3:4-5.} Although there are many such examples in scripture. Nevertheless, the point is that God is NO LESS concerned with our keeping of the words in His than His is with our keeping the very purpose or intent of His law. In fact, He is highly concerned, not only with the words, there meaning and spelling thereof, but also with the punctuation and grammar of His words. For example, Jesus forthrightly affirmed that not even one of the smallest and seemingly insignificant character marks of the law of Moses (e.g. the dotting of an "i" or the crossing of a "t") would by no means pass before the totality, the point the goal of it were fulfilled ^{Matt. 5:17-18,} and when the Sadducees quizzed Jesus over the resurrection of the dead and life after death, He, with precision referred to the very tense of the words which God used in Exodus 3:3, telling Moses "I AM the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob", explaining to them that therefore, "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living" ^{Matt. 22:32.} Again, the inspired apostle pointed to the very number of the noun which God used in giving His promise to the patriarch Abraham saying; "He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" ^{Gal. 3:16.} Hence, the honest Bible reader is compelled to conclude that God is just as much concerned with the keeping of the very "letter" or words of His law as He is with the keeping of its intent or "spirit".

The other false idea regarding this passage of scripture is that it means that obedience to law is negative and unnecessary, while ONLY attention to the nature or intent of the law is right, good and acceptable before God. This is a CLEAR example of what the apostle Peter said of those who are unlearned that "wrest" (i.e. twist, distort and disfigure) certain passages of scripture written by Paul ^{2 pet. 3:15-16} and lifting scriptures from their proper context in order to bolster one's own theory or opinion. It is clear in the passage that the inspired apostle has set forth a dichotomy between the law of Moses and the doctrine of Christ; in that, the law of Moses which was inferior the that of Christ, was never meant to give "life" or to make man righteous ^{Rom. 8:3-4/Gal. 3:21,} it was exclusive to only one nation of people and it was temporary and "passing away" at its induction. And most of all, violating the law of Moses meant death ^{Heb. 10:28.} Whereas the doctrine of Jesus Christ, which is superior to that of Moses DOES give life ^{Jn. 6:63, 68/20:30-31} and does make man righteous ^{Rom. 5:19/2 Cor. 5:21,} it goes out to ALL men or every nation ^{Mk. 16:15/Jn. 3:16-17/Titus 2:11-12} and is eternal in duration ^{Matt. 24:35/1 Pet. 1:23-25.}

Therefore, there exists no controversy between the law of Moses and the Covenant of Jesus Christ. When the covenant which God made with Israel through Moses, its mediator was fulfilled in Christ Jesus, it was thereby succeeded by the Covenant of Jesus Christ which now and forever abides, providing salvation from sin and the hope of eternal life ^{Rom. 8:24-25.}

kevin_wright1@hotmail.com

A Beloved Brother: Perry Cotham

          

A True Soldier of  Christ is Called Home WVBS would like to take this time to acknowledge  the life and work of a well known Christian, gospel preacher and friend – Perry  Cotham.  Brother Cotham was held in high  regard by members of the Lord’s church all over the world.  A very humble man, he was thought of as one  who sought to embody the essence of New Testament Christianity.  He possessed a tremendous love for the Lord,  His church and for the souls of man as reflected, not only in his life, but  through the numerous tracts, articles and books he has written.  Through his participation in various  lectureships, debates, forums and gospel meetings, brother Cotham’s strong  knowledge of and commitment to Scripture was more than evident.  WVBS has had the privilege of working with a  number of exceptional teachers to produce sound Bible study materials for the  church and Perry Cotham was no exception. He was always a good friend to WVBS, and as one of our teachers he recorded a number of programs with us over the years. His works include “Examples of Conversion,” “Daniel  Overview,” “Sermons by Perry Cotham,” as well as a personal interview for our  “Gospel Preacher Living History Series.”   The most recent DVD lesson presented by brother Cotham in our studio was  “Beyond the Sunset,” which he did at the age of 97.  On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 the Lord saw  fit to call this dedicated soldier to his reward at the age of 101.  Undoubtedly, his life and works will follow him (Rev. 14:13). - February 28, 2013

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She's My Bride - Eph. 5:23-32/2 Cor. 11:2