And take…the sword of the Spirit, which  is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:17

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 15, Number 32
09/30/2012

Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ

Location:
  
1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:

       P.O. Box 30821
 
Bellingham, WA 98228
       (360) 752-2692

Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM

Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM
All sing last Wednesday

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers

Editor......Joe R. Price


Elders
Morris Bass
Rick Holt

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
Dan Head


 

In this issue:


Gospel Meeting September 30 - October 5, 2012

Mt. Baker church of Christ
Gospel Meeting

September 30-October 5, 2012

Evangelist
Keith Greer
(Harrodsburg, KY.)

Bible lessons nightly, Mon-Fri at 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 30th at 9:30 & 10:30 AM; 6:00 PM

"Practical Lessons for Every Christian"

                                                                          Sunday Class - Salvation and Blood

                                                                          Sunday AM – Putting the Past--In the Past (1)

                                                                          Sunday PM – Putting the Past--In the Past (2)

                                                                          Monday - Storms of Life

                                                                          Tuesday – Prayerlessness--What Happens When We Fail to Pray?

                                                                          Wednesday – Rekindle the Fire

                                                                          Thursday – Preaching What We Practice

                                                                          Friday - Taking Up My Cross

Learn about New Testament Christianity!

The gospel is God’s power to save us!  (Romans 1:16)

(From I-5 take Exit # 255 and go East 4.2 miles)
For more information please call (360) 752-2692

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Understanding the New Birth
Keith Greer

No Bible subject has been more misunderstood than the “new birth”. The phrase “born again”, which is a Bible concept, has been twisted and perverted to the point many brethren shy away from using it. Let us allow the Scriptures to explain this great truth.

Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’.” {John 3:5} How is one born of the “water and spirit”? The work of the Spirit brought us the word, which one must obey to be “born again”.

Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” {1 Peter 1:23} Remember, seed produces “after its own kind.”

What takes away man’s sins? The blood of Christ of course. Revelation 1:5; Ephesians 1:7. How does one contact that blood?

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” {Romans 6:3, 4} Dead to sin, buried in water, arises to walk in newness of life.

Something else takes place when one submits to being “born again.” Three changes take place in one’s life.

CONDITION. A person goes from being lost to a saved condition. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” {Romans 3:23} What happens when I sin? “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” {Romans 6:23}

The new birth changes this condition. “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” {2 Timothy 2:10}

RELATIONSHIP. When one is “born again” they enjoy a new relationship. From one who was an alien to a child of God.

And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled” {Colossians 1:20, 21} Now one is in the family of God and He is their Father.

STATE. One goes from a dead state to a living one, spiritually speaking. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” {Ephesians 5:1, 2}

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” {Romans 6:11}

Outside of Christ one is walking in “death”—separated from God by their sins. Obedience to God’s plan gives one “life”.

Do you understand why the term being “born again” is an important one? The new birth changes our condition, relationship and state. Can the physical birth accomplish these three things? Being born physically does not place one in the family of God. It does not change their condition for they are without sin. Since they are without sin they are alive and not dead. Isn’t the “new birth” a wonderful thing? Thanks be to God that He loved us enough to allow us to be adopted into His family and receive an eternal inheritance.

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Some "Right Things" about the Church
Keith Greer

Many in the world are confused concerning the nature of the Lord’s church. Yet, the church should have some “right things” that will help us identify it.

Started at right place. “... For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” {Isaiah 2:3} Where were the apostles when the Holy Spirit fell on them? Where did Jesus tell them to wait? Jerusalem! Acts 1:8; 2:1-4.

Started at the right time. “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established ...” {Isaiah 2:1} When Peter preached that first sermon, what passage did he quote? Joel 2:28-32 He also described the time period as the “last days,” Acts 2:16, 17. Any church that has it’s start at any other time is not the Lord’s church.

Started with the right power. “... Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” {Mark 9:1} This was a promise given to the Lord’s disciples during a private conversation with them prior to His death, John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-13. At the beginning of Acts 2 the text tells us that this power fell on them and they began to speak “with tongues.”

Must have the right head. “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” {Ephesians 1:22, 23} Churches of men have human heads. The church of our Lord has only one head-that being Jesus Christ Himself!

Must have the right message. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” {Romans 1:16} This is the only message that has the power to save men! Sadly, the world believes that “any message” is acceptable as long as it’s spoken in His name. Wrong—it must be His message.

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A Gospel Meeting
Joe R. Price

 

Assembling ourselves together, Heb. 10:25

 

Gathering to hear God’s word, Acts 10:33

Opportunity to grow in Christ, 1 Pet. 2:1-2

Saving power of the gospel, Rom. 1:16

Preaching the word, 2 Tim. 4:2

Edifying the saints with the gospel, Acts 20:32

Looking unto Jesus, Heb. 12:1-2

 

Minding the things of the Spirit, Rom. 8:5

Exposing the works of darkness, Eph. 5:11

Enduring faith, Heb. 10:36-39

Taking time to be holy, 1 Pet. 1:13-17

Interceding in prayer, 1 Tim. 2:1

Now is the day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6:2

Go and teach all nations, Matt. 28:19

     The Mt. Baker church of Christ welcomes you to our gospel meeting and invites you to join us this week for periods of Bible study and personal examination in light of God’s word (2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Cor. 13:5). One goal of our gospel meeting is for each person to hear the word of God. Personal faith can be produced and salvation received by hearing the Bible if we will believe it and obey God’s will (Rom. 10:17; Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9).

     We welcome your Bible questions and we will gladly study more of God’s word with you if you wish. We want to live by faith and we want that for you, too. We live by faith and are saved in Christ by following God’s word in all we say and do (Jas. 1:21-25; Col. 3:17; Acts 4:12; Gal. 3:26-27). Thank you for visiting our gospel meeting.

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Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  09/27/2012

The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
Send all questions, comments and subscriptions to the editor at: ssword@bibleanswer.com