Gospel Articles

CAN A GOOD PERSON GET TO THE GOOD PLACE WITHOUT JESUS?

5/7/2018

Scott J Shifferd, MA

The Bible describes a devout man and a good soldier who gave to the needy, prayed continually to God, and knew about Jesus of Nazareth. While he possessed traits typically attributed to a Christian, he did not have eternal life yet. God recognized his giving and his prayers, but he was not forgiven yet. How could a devout man living a life full of good works not have eternal life waiting for him?

This devout man was Cornelius who was a Roman centurion of the Italian Cohort living in the ancient coastal city of Caesarea. God sent a man in bright clothing instructing him to send for Simon Peter, an apostle of Christ, residing in the city of Joppa. When Peter came, he declared a message for this man, his family, and friends to be saved (Acts 11:12–14).

What was that message? Peter declared that he and his company are witnesses of all that Jesus did. Peter reminded Cornelius of what Cornelius knew about Jesus being anointed by the Holy Spirit and that Jesus went about doing good and healing all. From this affirmation, Peter testified that Jesus died by being hung on a tree, and that God raised Him on the third day. God chose those who ate and drank with Jesus after He rose from the dead to become witnesses. Jesus commanded witnesses like Peter and his associates to go and proclaim the message to the people revealing that Jesus will judge the living and the dead. Peter concluded that those who believe in Jesus receive the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’s name. Cornelius, his family, and friends heard and believed this gospel message. Because God gave Cornelius and his household the Holy Spirit upon believing, Peter concluded that he could not withhold water for baptizing them, so he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:34–48).

Many people today believe that good people die and go to the good place. Most people see themselves as going to that good place. However, this belief alone excludes salvation coming from Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection. The life of Cornelius revealed that the faithful rather than the “good” have eternal life and forgiveness of sins upon baptism in Jesus's name.

Are you a good person who prays, gives, and knows about Jesus? That did not save Cornelius and his household. Like Cornelius, God wants you to be saved by hearing, believing, and obeying the message of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:17; 1 Cor 15:1–4). The record of Cornelius’s salvation teaches the truth. (1) God does not save a good person for their good works, but God saves those who believe the gospel, find forgiveness in Jesus’s name, and faithfully obey God. (2) Sharing the gospel is as simple as sharing Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. (3) Forgiveness in Jesus’s name includes the command for the faithful to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

The churches of Christ encourage you to believe Jesus resurrected, confess faith, repent of sins, be baptized, and live faithfully (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 10:9–10). As Christians, we urge everyone to read the Bible and meet with a church of Christ every first day of the week (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Heb 10:24–25).

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REASONS TO BELIEVE: RESURRECTION WITNESSES

2/28/2018

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By: Scott J Shifferd, MA

For all that believers do, Christians believe that Jesus gives new life because He rose from the dead. Those who listen to Jesus find that Jesus’s miracles are reasonable to believe. They especially believe the eyewitnesses of Jesus’s resurrection.

In the beginning of the Christian movement, opponents converted attesting to have witnessed Jesus risen from the dead. Historians recognize that Paul converted having been a persecutor of the church, saw Jesus alive, and became a preacher and apostle (Gal 1:13–16). Early Christians attributed Paul as the author of 13 of the 27 writings of the New Testament of the Bible. Likewise, historians also note that Jesus’s brothers especially James did not believe Jesus was the Son of God, but they came to convert because of Jesus’s resurrection. They became preachers and leaders in the church too (1 Cor 9:5; Gal 1:18–20). To secular historians, these events are unexplained phenomena.

In AD 54, Paul reported the gospel message from his conversion two or three years after Jesus’s crucifixion. That first Christian message is the gospel that Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected (1 Cor 15:3–4). Paul listed numerous eyewitnesses seeing Jesus alive from the dead even 500 at one time (1 Cor 15:5–8). Secular historians admit that the Christian faith began because of the belief that Jesus rose from the dead. According to history, various people experienced Jesus bodily alive from the dead. In other words, their experience was that they saw, heard, touched, and ate with Jesus alive and bodily restored after three days having been crucified and confirmed dead (Luke 23:36–42).

What is the best explanation for various people experiencing Jesus risen bodily from the dead? To secular scholars, the experiences of Jesus’s resurrection are phenomena — events for which they cannot explain the cause. Explanations built on possibilities cannot suffice as such scenarios ignore and do not explain basic historical facts. The most plausible explanation cannot ignore the eyewitness experiences. Those whose minds are open to belief find the best explanation is that Jesus bodily rose from the dead.

Citing eyewitnesses of Jesus's resurrection was the preaching that established the church — God's people. In the physician Luke’s writing of “Acts of the Apostles,” Luke recorded early speeches from Peter and Paul that secular historians date before the book of Acts. In Luke's ancient record, Peter presented evidence that Jesus rose from the dead confirmed by predictions in the Jewish Scriptures, Jesus’s empty tomb, and eyewitnesses of Jesus resurrected (Acts 2:14–36). Likewise, Luke recorded that Paul preached the same evidence of people seeing Jesus alive and becoming witnesses to the people (Acts 13:26–41; cf. 1 Cor 15:1–11).

From the beginning of the church, the experiences of Jesus’s resurrection changed people's lives. They would not recant their faith even in the face of death. That life-changing faith has passed through centuries transforming many people and eventually the world. Because of faith in Jesus’s resurrection, Christians believe that on the last day they will resurrect like Jesus rose from the dead in glorified bodies for eternal life (Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 6:14; 15:51–53). Today, these followers of Christ urge everyone to read the words of Jesus in the Gospels, meet with a church of Christ, and believe, repent, and be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

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REASONS TO BELIEVE: MIRACULOUS CREATION

1/24/2018

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By: Scott J Shifferd, MA

Engineers have designed and advanced automobiles. People assemble these machines. Therefore, every effect must have a sufficient cause. No one would likely believe that cars simply pop into existence. Everything that begins has a cause. Likewise, the universe operates according to cause and effect. Energy in the universe is degrading implying that the universe had a beginning according to the second law of thermodynamics. Because the universe began, the universe must have a cause. People are reasonable to deduce that the cause of the universe must exist beyond the universe and its natural laws, so the cause is supernatural by definition. To the secularist, the universe is a phenomenon, but to the theist, the universe is a miraculous effect of creation.

Smart phones are engineered. Oceans do not produce smart phones. Today’s devices are simpler to use and yet more complex than past technology. One can reasonably compare and see that the smart phone is more complex than an ink pen, and thus smart phones required more time and intelligence to create. People are reasonable to observe the best explanation for a system more complex than design is that it was designed. Because biological life is more complex than human design, people are reasonable to conclude that biological life is from intelligent design. The complexity of life especially its genetic code indicate the intelligence of its cause. Complexity of life is a miraculous effect of God's creation.

Some people demand immediate evidences and experiences of miracles to believe in God. However, such demands are not human prerogatives. God chooses when to operate upon the universe beyond the laws of nature. God has given sufficient evidence of His eternal power and divine nature in creation (Romans 1:20). Many demand overwhelming evidence for an irresistible belief but such would negate free will. God can give sufficient evidence without giving so much evidence that requires people to believe. God does not need to force people to believe when honest people can seek and find God.

Why does the universe exist rather than not exist? Why is there life rather than no life? Why is humanity able to exist and ponder these questions? The universe is balanced and uniform for complex and intelligent life. Jesus has the most reasonable explanation for why intelligent life exists in the universe. He attributed the cause of the universe and the complexity of life to God (Mark 10:6; 13:19). Today, these followers of Christ urge everyone to read the words of Jesus in the Gospels, meet with a church of Christ, and believe, repent, and be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

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REASONS TO BELIEVE: MEANING AND MORALITY

12/13/2017

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By: Scott J Shifferd, MA

Special days mark the passing of our lives. How would you respond if someone told you that your days are essentially meaningless? Most of us would dismiss that person in one way or another. However, we may mistakenly imply that our days are meaningless by the way that we view life. People are limited in determining the meaning of their days. Giving personal meaning to our lives does not last whether in life or after death. Whatever you set as life’s meaning lasts as long as you live. What will your life mean when you and your loved ones are gone?

What is life without rights? If someone abuses you, you expect that most others realize that such behavior is unjust and not fair. What happens when perverse people ignore the rights of others? Human rights must have an unmovable standard. Without a standard for rights and morality, the meaning of life depends on each person who would determine their own morality by how they value others. Either the God of love and justice lives or people can decide right and wrong for themselves valuing people according to society and survival. However, right and wrong are unchanging. Abuse, extortion, murder, rape, and slander are always wrong no matter what society says. Compassion, mercy, and justice are always right. For this reason, right and wrong are unchanging if and only if the God of love is the unchanging standard. There is no other option.

Life can only have lasting meaning because of a loving and just God. Only God can love and value you more than anyone else can. For this reason, Jesus is the best explanation for the meaning of life. Jesus gives eternal purpose for life (John 1:1–5; 8:12; 10:10; 11:25–26; 14:6). He taught love on a greater level and called all to follow Him by losing one’s life to save it (Luke 6:27–36; 9:23–27). For Christians, Jesus’s life is the example of flawless moral living (Isa 53:7; 2 Cor 5:21). According to the Christian Scriptures, Jesus can make us who have done wrong to stand just before God, because Jesus took our sins on Himself (Rom 5:17–21; 2 Cor 5:21; Col 3:13–14).

Jesus is the best explanation for the meaning of life. He defines life, rights, morality, and the beginning of all things. Today, these followers of Christ urge everyone to read the words of Jesus in the Gospels, meet with a church of Christ, and believe, repent, and be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

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Why Were Believers Baptized Immediately in the Bible?

9/30/2017

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By: Scott J Shifferd, MA

Some churches encourage new believers to delay their baptism for a month or for special time of the year. However, the believers in the Bible were baptized immediately. Why were believers baptized immediately in the Bible? What does instant baptism reveal about the importance of baptism?

Here are examples of baptism in the Scripture:

When the church was established at Pentecost, Peter preached the Gospel and instructed the people to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Three thousand souls were baptized and added that day to the church (Acts 2:41).
When the evangelist Philip joined an Ethiopian official on his chariot, he “preached to him Jesus,” and the eunuch's immediate response was, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” The Ethiopian stopped the chariot, and they both went down into the water where Philip baptized him (Acts 8:26–40).
When a Roman centurion named Cornelius and his household believed, Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” Peter commanded them to be baptized in Jesus’s name (Acts 10:47–48).
In Philippi, Lydia and her household were baptized before they could convince Paul and Silas to stay with them (Acts 16:11–15).
When a Philippian jailer and his household heard and believed the Word of the Lord, the jailer and all of his family were baptized at midnight (Acts 16:25–34).
In Ephesus, Paul met twelve men baptized in John’s baptism, and when they heard of Jesus, they were baptized immediately in Jesus’s name (Acts 19:1–7).
When Paul himself was converted, Ananias urged him, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).

Believers must have been baptized immediately in the Bible to accomplish something urgent. What is the purpose of baptism that required believers to be baptized at once? According to the Bible, believers were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Col 2:12–13). They were baptized for salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet 3:21). This is why believers were baptized immediately.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He commanded His apostles to make disciples by baptizing them and then teaching them all things that Jesus taught them (Matt 28:19–20). Baptism is the beginning of being a disciple — a follower of Christ. There is one baptism (Eph 4:5). The baptism that Jesus commanded is the baptism that the apostles commanded in the name of Jesus and in water (Acts 10:47–48). Repentant believers are the only people who were baptized in the Bible (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

Baptism means immersion, and the Bible describes baptism as a burial (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12–13). As a burial, baptism partakes of the reality of salvation signified in Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3–6; Col 2:12–13). The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Gospel that saves believers (1 Cor 15:1–4). The apostle Peter proclaimed, “This is now an example to you, baptism saves — not the removal of dirt from the flesh — but as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 3:21). Through Jesus’s resurrection, believers are born again to a living hope (1 Pet 1:3).

May God bless those who read these scriptures.

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What Really is the Gospel?

8/15/2017

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By: Scott J Shifferd, MA

What really is the Gospel? The Gospel is the good message about Christ. Historians affirm that the earliest Christian message is the Gospel as Paul wrote to the church in the Greek city of Corinth. Paul reminded these Christians that the Gospel that rescued and saved them is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1–4). Christians obey the Gospel by dying to sins, burial in baptism, and rising to the newness of life (Rom 6:4).

The Gospel focuses on the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus asked his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 16:15–17 ESV). This confession of faith is the rock and foundation of the church of Christ. Jesus revealed, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,” (Matt 16:18a). The church is God’s people (1 Pet 2:9).

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16). The Scriptures reveal, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Christians receive eternal life from Christ through bodily resurrection on the last day (John 6:39–40). Christ transforms the bodies of His followers into glorious bodies like His resurrected body (Phil 3:21). Paul affirmed, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom 6:5; cf. 8:11). Believers unite with Christ as Paul noted, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death,” (Rom 6:4a). This is the hope that saves Christians waiting “the redemption of the body” (Rom 8:23). “For in this hope we were saved” (Rom 8:24).

The pattern of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is throughout the Christian Scriptures and a model of salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:4–9). The apostle demonstrated, “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,” (Col 2:12–13). God forgives the believer’s sins giving newness of life through baptism.

Historians agree that the Gospel started the church of Christ — God’s people. When the church was established, Peter proclaimed Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 2:14–36). He referred to Scripture that predicted the rising of the Christ from the dead. Peter presented how Israel’s King David predicted resurrection in first-person, but Peter observed that they knew the place of David’s tomb. David foresaw the resurrection of Christ as the God would not abandon the Christ in Hades and allow His flesh to decay. Peter professed, “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32). When these Jews heard these things, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). The Lord added these repentant-baptized believers to the church (Acts 2:41, 47). Churches of Christ proclaim this same message today.

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CAN A GOOD PERSON GET TO THE GOOD PLACE WITHOUT JESUS?

REASONS TO BELIEVE: RESURRECTION WITNESSES

REASONS TO BELIEVE: MIRACULOUS CREATION

REASONS TO BELIEVE: MEANING AND MORALITY

Why Were Believers Baptized Immediately in the Bible?

What Really is the Gospel?

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