GRACE ANSWERS 10

These are questions sent to GraceLife Ministries by Internet E-Mail. We appreciate each person who sent the questions and hope our answers will be a help to many. If you would like to have a question answered for Grace Answers, please e-mail Mark McGee.

THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH

QUESTION: In 2 Thess.2:10, where it says, "they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." I have always interpreted the love of the truth to mean man's love of the truth. Now, I'm beginning to wonder if I am wrong in that. It could also mean God's love revealed by His Truth. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm beginning to think my second idea is the right one. What do you think?
ANSWER: 2 Thessalonians 2 is a new theme for Paul to the Thessalonians. He introduces Christians to "the man of lawlessness." Paul opens the chapter by writing:

"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have com from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction."
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

The context of your question comes from Paul's explanation of what will happen on earth at the time of the rapture of the saints ("the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him"). Paul is a prophet and gives us insight to the end times from his perspective as the Apostle of Grace. He looks at things from the vantage point of Christians who will join Christ in the air in the twinkling of an eye to be with Him forever. John gives us insight to the end times from his perspective as Apostle of the Kingdom. He looks at things from the vantage point of Jews who will go through the Tribulation and witness the hatred of Satan and the wrath of God. Christians will rejoice in Christ their Lord and Savior. Jews will rejoice in Christ their Messiah.
Let's see what's next.

"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Let's observe several important points.
1. Satan is behind the coming of the lawless one.
2. Satan will use all kinds of lying tricks to deceive people who are perishing.
3. Those who perish do so because they "refused" (ouk edexianto ) the love (agapen ) of the truth (aletheias ). Edexianto , is a verb and means "to not receive gladly or welcome". Agapen , is a noun and means "love, generosity, kindly concern." Aletheias , is a noun and means "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter." (Cramer) The perishing did not welcome the love of the truth.
4. If the perishing had welcomed the love of the truth, they would have been saved. The word "saved" is sothenai . It is a verb and means "to be rescued or delivered from danger." Paul teaches only one method of salvation: that's BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. The world has had the truth of Christ's Love for 2,000 years and most people still don't welcome it into their lives. The truth that the perishing would not welcome is the Gospel of the Grace of God.
5. For that reason, that they refused to welcome the truth of the Gospel of Christ and be saved, God will send them a powerful delusion so they will believe the lies Satan tells. One of the lies may be about what happened to millions of people in the twinkling of an eye. One second we're here, the next second we're gone. Where did we go? What happened to a large part of the population of the world? Satan will have a convincing lie ready for that one and God will send a powerful delusion to those who wouldn't welcome the love of the truth so they believe the lie. We have already seen through the centuries how large groups of people will believe the lies of religious leaders. The man of lawlessness will be a religious leader and will preach Satan's lies as the truth. "Delusion" is energeian planes . It means "a working of error, a wandering, a forsaking of the right path."
6. God will send the delusion so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
This day is coming and may be fast approaching. What do we do?

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."
2 Thessalonians 2:15-16

We have nothing to fear from the future. We know what will happen to unbelievers during the Tribulation. We know that we will not be among them. Our duty now is to hold to the teachings of Paul and continue in good deeds and words.

BAPTIZED INTO SALVATION?

QUESTION: Thank you for answering my last question. I have another one for you. I have a Christian friend who tells me that we have to not only believe and accept Christ, but we need to be baptized in the "name of Christ". And afterward, speak in tougues as a sign that the Holy Spirit has come into us. I know that salvation is a gift from God, and not of ourselves (Eph 2:8) and that the gift is obtained through our faith. And I know about Romans 10:9-10. But what about Mark 16:16-17. This scripture seems to connect belief, baptism and signs that need to follow to show a true believer. And what Jesus said in John 3:5 about being born of water and Spirit. My friend's chief justification is the way the Apostles ministered in Acts and that Acts is our only real view of how people were lead to salvation. And that the books following Acts were written to people who were already saved. So what's the truth?
ANSWER: I agree with your friend, to a point. Jesus required faith and baptism for salvation. He promised that miraculous signs would follow those who believed Him. Those signs included driving out demons, speaking in new tongues, picking up snakes with their hands, drinking deadly poison with no ill effect, and healing sick people when disciples placed their hands on them. We saw this happen in the early days of Acts. Peter preached baptism in the name of Jesus "for the forgiveness of your sins." (Acts 2:38) We read about others who worked miracles, spoke in tongues and healed. So what's the problem?
My disagreement comes with the notion that the requirement of baptism for forgiveness of sins and miraculous signs following every believer continues today. Read along in Acts and you'll see how that teaching falls away. Why? Because Israel rejected God's requirements for entrance into the Kingdom. That's what the Gospels and early chapters of Acts are about: the Messianic Kingdom. The message was strictly to Israel. It would have eventually become a message for the world "if" Israel had received its Messiah and Jesus would have ruled the earth from Jerusalem. But Israel rejected the message and killed the messengers (Acts 7). That rejection opened up a new economy from God: a mystery unknown until God revealed it to Saul (Paul).
We've included many studies about this in GraceLife, so I'll just add that "rightly dividing the word of truth" and understanding the Bible "dispensationally" is the key. Bible students do great harm to God's plans by mixing truths from various economies. God has a specific plan for each dispensation. He is a Master Manager of each of His households. It's important for us to carefully divide the truths from each dispensation so we know what's to us and what's not.

THE NEW AGE

QUESTION: How much do you know about New Age? Have you ever witnessed it infiltrating a church? If you did see something like I describe, what would you do?
ANSWER: I did extensive research about New Age philosophy about ten years ago. I saw it becoming an issue in churches and wanted to teach my congregation how to identify it.
It didn't happen in one of the churches I pastored, but it did happen to some friends of mine. The pastor of their church began preaching and practicing some New Age beliefs. They first went to the pastor. He laughed at their concerns. They next went to the leaders of the church. They couldn't see it and wouldn't believe it. The pastor was very charismatic. My friends eventually left the church because the leadership wouldn't do anything about it.
I would do what my friends did if I saw it happening in a church I was attending. I'd talk with the pastor and leadership of the church. If they didn't agree or wouldn't do anything about it, I'd find another church. If I was the pastor or in some other leadership position, I'd go to the people who were teaching it and share my concerns. I'd teach a series of studies about it and explain why to the elders of the church. This is what Paul told Timothy to do with such problems in the church. (2 Timothy 2:23-26) If the people teaching or practicing New Age wouldn't change or leave and the leadership of the church refused to support me, I'd seek God's leading for whether I should continue the battle or move to another church. I believe in protecting the flock of God from anything that would harm them. However, leaders of a church can replace their shepherd.
I am rather old-fashioned in my beliefs and practices. You can probably tell that from my writings. I believe in practicing Classic Christianity: the way Paul taught and practiced it in the 1st century. I believe that any teacher of God's Word should build on the foundation "already laid." We don't need people adding to the Word and making up new stuff. God gave us what He wanted us to have and that's enough. We have new tools in this high-tech age, but our message is old and well-grounded in the eternal truth of God.
The message of the Grace Age is our flag, not the New Age. The New Age is nothing more than the old lies of Satan wrapped in new paper. The outside looks inviting and helpful, but the inside stinks of all that is corrupt and hurtful.
Stand strong in your faith. Study God's Word diligently. Hold to what you know is true. "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

PETER AND ALL NATIONS

QUESTION: In Matt 28:16-20 (the great commission), Jesus spoke to the 11 disciples (who were all Jews) and commanded them to make disciples of ALL NATIONS ("ethnos" - people groups). If Peter and the rest of the disciples merely restricted themselves to preaching to the Jews (as you mentioned in your article), would that not make them disobedient (or more accurately, not completely obedient) to Jesus' command to make disciples of ALL nations?
ANSWER: Preaching to the Jews is where Peter and the other apostles started. The entire basis of Peter's ministry was the Messianic Kingdom. The Kingdom had to exist before the apostles could go to the world. The Old Testament prophecies about the Messianic Kingdom dealt with an Israel that had a Messianic King sitting on David's Throne. The process of Israel becoming the spiritual leader of the world's nations started with it having the Messiah in Jerusalem. That didn't happen.
Peter and the other apostles were faithful to Christ's commands. Peter preached his heart out asking Israel to repent, be baptized and "turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus." (Acts 3:19-20) Jesus had done everything necessary to set up the Messianic Kingdom. He had preached the good news to the poor, proclaimed freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, release of the oppressed, and the years of the Lord's favor. Jesus had died on the cross for the sins of Israel. He had conquered death and the grave. He had ascended back to his heavenly throne and was ready. All Israel had to do was repent, be baptized and turn to God. As soon as they did that, Christ would have taken the throne and the Apostles would have taken the message to the world. But it didn't happen. The message lost it's power because Israel refused it. Peter and the apostles were not disobeying God. They were ready to go, but they couldn't because of Isreal's disobedience.
That day will come. John wrote in detail about it in Revelation. Christ will sit on His Throne in Jerusalem. His disciples will preach the message to the world.

BARNABAS AND THE BODY OF CHRIST

QUESTION: In your answer to the Jews only, you said that God made all the people at Antioch members of the Body after they gathered under Paul's mystery teaching. This included Barnabus.
Now, my problem with this is:
A person is made a member of the Body by the Holy Spirit Baptism according to I Cor 12:13. Now, if a person like Barnabus was saved before he brought Paul to Antioch, as it is stated in Acts 11:24 and I believe even as early as Acts 4:36, did not God enter that person in the Body at that time, rather than later at Antioch? Else, we would have to conclude that a person can be saved, born again at one time and not in the Body. Later, when he is exposed and embraces Body truth, he is then Baptised by the Holy Spirit into the Body. My problem with this is that it is Hope Switching which is not consistent with Rom 11:29, since every person has a Kingdom of God hope at the moment he or she is born again. It can be either the New Earth, New Jerusalem or the Heavens of Heavens which is exclusive for the Body. Case in point is Barnabus.
Hence, I do not put Barnabus in the Body at all but in the Kingdom Hope although he was a close companion of Paul and referred to by Paul as an apostle later in Rom and Eph. This is because, like you say, Paul was the first member and Paul was saved after Barnabus so Barnabus could not have been placed in the Body when he was saved, nor even later according to Rom 11;29. Same for Peter, John and all the twelve and Cornelius and his household...
ANSWER: The Body of Christ began with Paul. The exact moment this happened is something of which no one can be sure. I do believe the Holy Spirit baptized other people into the Body at Antioch as recorded in Acts 11:25-26. Those people were made up of Jews and Gentiles. Some of the Jews, including Barnabas, had come from Israel and were part of the Kingdom disciples. However, they rejoiced at the new thing God was doing by His Grace and became part of it.
Barnabas was a full teaching member of the first missionary team to spread the good news of God's Grace. His message did not conflict with Paul's. Barnabas taught, as did Paul, that Gentiles and Jews in the Dispensation of Grace did not have to obey Mosaic Law. Barnabas and Paul went together to Jerusalem to fight for the right of Gentile believers not to undergo circumcision or obey the Law. "The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them." (Acts 15:12)
Paul detailed Barnabas' involvement in the Dispensation of Grace further when he wrote to the Galatians about the Jerusalem Council.

"On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews."
Galatians 2:7-9
Notice that the Jewish apostles recognized the grace given Barnabas to minister in the Dispensation of Grace.
One other note: The Jerusalem apostles and elders chose two of their leaders to return to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas following the Jerusalem Council. One of those men was Silas. He later became Paul's primary partner in preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God. Silas began in the Kingdom Dispensation but ended in the Dispensation of Grace. The Holy Spirit placed Silas into the Body of Christ, hence his ability to minister the Message.

SORORITIES

QUESTION: My girl friend is a member of a sorority ... I told her I did not like it, because God tells us we should not live or really be friends with the world. I think it is different if you have to work or earn a living in the world, but I don't know if it is right to choose to be a member of a worldly organization in which most people really do not live Christian lifestyles. She says that she can minister to her friends that aren't Christians by living there, and she has 4 or 5 friends in there that are Christains, but I don't know if it is right for her to be a member of an organization like that or not. I think she might be influenced subtlely more than she will influence. What do you think?
ANSWER: Thank you for your question. It is an important one.
Christians have much to accomplish during their years on earth. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph. 2:10) God prepared good works for you and your girlfriend to do. What are they? They are "works of service." (Eph. 4:12) "Service" is how we demonstrate God's love to our fellow human beings. Paul called it a "debt." "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fullment of the law." (Romans 13:8-10)
Christians should be live, work and play in the real world. Jesus Christ did. He demonstrated His great Love everywhere He went. The religious people of that time criticized Jesus because of the people with whom He spoke and ate. Jesus didn't care about that. He had come to earth to "love" and "serve" the needs of "the poor ... the prisoners ... the blind ... the oppressed." (Luke 4:18) Jesus didn't climb into a little box and only meet with people just like Himself. Jesus wasn't careful not to walk in certain parts of town and not talk to those "lower" than Himself on the societal scale. No, Jesus went everywhere serving the needs of everyone. He lived a Righteous Life in a sinful world. The Apostle Paul did the same thing. He worked and served people where they lived. The Holy Spirit lives in you and in your girlfriend, if you have received Jesus Christ into your lives through Faith. The Spirit lives in you as a guarantee of your eternal future. He also lives in you to comfort, teach and guide you through your ministry to others on earth. He wants to show us God's will for our lives. That's part of what you're asking. Is it God's Will for your girlfriend to belong to a sorority? Here's how you both begin finding God's Will.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:1-2
Christians need to make sure they are strong for service. It begins by giving ourselves, our bodies and minds, to God. Jesus was strong for His service. Paul was strong for his service. They spent years in preparation. Is your girlfriend "strong" for service? Is she "prepared" for what will happen when she reaches out to the lost around her? If Christians aren't strong and aren't prepared, we can behave like the unsaved people we're serving. The sins of the world can affect us. Jesus and Paul knew that. That's why they said so much about obeying God's Word. Jesus told His disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." John 15:9-17 Paul wrote, "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Romans 13:11-14 You wrote, "I told her I did not like it, because God tells us we should not live or really be friends with the world. I think it is different if you have to work or earn a living in the world, but I don't know if it is right to choose to be a member of a worldly organization in which most people really do not live Christian lifestyles. She says that she can minister to her friends that aren't Christians by living there, and she has 4 or 5 friends in there that are Christains, but I don't know if it is right for her to be a member of an organization like that or not. I think she might be influenced subtlely more than she will influence." I understand your concerns. Living with unsaved people places Christians into many difficult situations. I think the issue is less whether we are "friends" with the unsaved and more do we "love" them. I believe in being "with" unsaved people for the purpose of loving and serving them. How will the unsaved know about Christ if we don't "show" them the Christ who lives in us? I believe in "friendship" evangelism. We show people the Love of God by befriending them and helping them through their daily lives. Our objective is that they see Christ in us and want to know about Him because of what they see. If Chrisitians get close to unsaved people then behave just like them, what's the incentive? Christians are different by nature. We live a "super-natural" life. God wants us to show the unsaved that difference. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Eph. 5:1-2) Whatever our situation, God wants His children to live carefully and righteously in front of the unsaved world: "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Eph. 5:15-17) Admittedly, sorority life can be pretty sinful. Your girlfriend needs your prayers and support. Spend time with her studying and praying. Read together some of the passages I've quoted in this note. Read the context of each verse. Read all of Ephesians and Colossians together. It has lots of direction for how to serve God in His strength. Your girlfriend and the other Christians in her sorority should spend time together each day in the Word and in prayer so they are strong for service. "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."