July 22, 1998
Web posted at: 1:46 p.m. EDT (1346 GMT) - From Medical Correspondent Dr. Steve Salvatore

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Researchers in Honolulu have done what many scientists thought impossible -- successfully cloning multiple generations of adult mice using a new micro-injection technique.

The announcement was made at a news conference, referring to research published in the July 23 issue of the journal Nature.

According to the international team of scientists at the University of Hawaii, this is the first time the new technique has been used to successfully clone the mice.

"This is an important breakthrough because it's the first time that mice have been cloned from adult cells or indeed any cells," said researcher Tony Perry. "I think it may be true to say it's the first report of cloning clones of any vertebrate species."

The new technique, previously described as impossible by scientists, has significant advantages. Previous cloning techniques, such as the one used to produce the sheep "Dolly," involved fusion of one cell to another and had an extremely low success rate. The researchers said their technique has a higher success rate, about 3 percent.

The cloned animals could be used in genetic and embryonic studies, which researchers say could help advance their understanding of cellular and molecular activities involved in aging and diseases such as cancer, AIDS, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

Researchers said the discovery is not about cloning humans, but rather they hope the new technology can be used to help fight diseases and perhaps produce organs for human transplantation from genetically altered animals.

Commentary: Scientists can now make a copy of a copy, genetically speaking. We truly hope this will lead to advances in the treatment and cure of diseases such as those mentioned in this article. Still, this current procedure renews the need for serious discussion about the morality and ethics of cloning. The Psalmist David said, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psa. 139:14). Each human being is unique - there is no copy! Man’s genetic engineering will never create life - only copy it. When will man learn to honor the One who gave us life and sustains our lives upon this planet?! -jrp-

·Assignments: July 26, 1998·

Announcements: Loren Parker

Opening Prayer: Loren Parker / Willie Golightly

Closing Prayer: Keith Alsobrook / Jess Bass

Song Leader: Rick Holt / Dan Head

Scripture Reading: Jason Holt / Chris Holp

Lord’s Supper: Rusty Mc. / Ray H. / Shane B.

Building Cleanup: Shane & Justina Bass

T HE SPIRIT’S SWORD

“And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Northside church of Christ

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall · 5201 Northwest Road · Bellingham, WA

Visit our Web Site on the Internet: http:// www.davisinet.com/northsidecofc

Volume II, No. 23 July 26, 1998

Weariness Over Bible Authority?

Joe R. Price

It is out of vogue these days to teach and preach on Bible authori­ty. The belief that the Bible is a divine blueprint to be followed in all we believe, teach and practice is being challenged by some and scoffed at by others. Today, folks want to hear about "inter­personal relationships," improving self-esteem and dealing with the stresses of life. Please do not misunderstand. There is a place for Bible study regarding these subjects. But Bible study of these (and many similar topics) will fall on deaf ears if one is not first taught to have preeminent respect for what the Bible teaches on all things! With­out a solid understanding and appreciation of Bible authority in our lives, we will miss the true essence of Christianity.

The Bible is the means God has chosen to communicate His will to man. To know God's will for our lives we must go to the Bible, the inspired scriptures, to discover it (1 Cor. 2:10-13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2:15). Upon arriving at an understanding of what has been written, we are encouraged to obey it (Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17; Matt. 7:21, 24-27). When we obey divine truth we are honoring the authority of Christ which rules over us (Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17).

When our teachings or practices fail to conform to the revelation of truth, we forfeit our fellowship with Christ (2 Jno. 9). Hence, it is impera­tive that we secure our faith in the word of God. Only then will our confidence in eternal life be genuine (1 Jno. 5:13; Rom. 10:17).

We should never grow weary of hearing about Bible authority. We must know how divine authority is established and applied. Many have fallen into error because of a failure to properly understand the scriptural principles surrounding the subject of authority. Yes, we need to improve our relationships and we must know how to deal with life's stresses. The Bible teaches us how. But unless we first honor Bible authority, our efforts will be eternally futile.

With the coming of any apostasy, there is always a noticeable change in terminology that comes along with it. Some words are redefined, some are substituted, other words are suddenly applied in new ways, and still other words carry with them a peculiar tone that did not exist before. One needs a special lexicon just to keep up. Any successful false teacher knows that he must make such changes, and get his listeners to make the same changes. Anyone who has ever studied with a Jehovah’s Witness knows this all too well.

The Psalmist in chapter 36, speaks of the man who has lost his fear of God. We are told that the words of his mouth are filled with deceit, and that he has ceased to be wise and do good. This man is said to be going down a path that is not good, since he has ceased to despise evil.

If we are not careful, we too will end up buying into this new vocabulary and be led down a dangerous path. We must pay careful attention to how many of our brethren today are altering and redefining their words. Something I have noticed as a tell-tale indicator of the current wave of false teaching on unity and fellowship, is the replacement of the words “sin” and “error”; with the words “disagreement” or “difference”. While reading one discussion on the subject of fellowship recently, I counted the usage of the word “disagreement” some 19 times, while the word “sin” was not used at all. The substitution of the word “sin” with the word “disagreement” should be carefully noted, as it reveals a great deal about the current trend of thinking among many straying brethren today.

Such brethren who are now encouraging a loose standard of fellowship, will no longer call a duck a duck. Everything has become a matter of opinion, regardless of what the Bible teaches on it. Sin is no longer sin, it is only “disagreement”. There is no longer any such thing as error, only differences of opinion. We are told we can never understand the Bible alike anyway, and it is not possible to define sin. Therefore, if my brother in Christ is living in adultery, it is no longer sin, only a “disagreement” between us, since he sees the scriptures differently than I. If a congregation receives a false teacher, this is not error, only a “difference” between what they believe, and what I believe. Nothing can be known for sure, not even sin.

There are other words and catch phrases to be noted. Here are some examples of words and phrases that are being used in some interesting ways:

ARROGANCE - any firm stand for the truth

If we are so bold as to make a stand on a Biblical teaching, this is labeled as arrogant and intolerant.

HARD TO UNDERSTAND – any Biblical teaching we differ on

By the way, is there ANYONE who teaches unity in diversity, who does NOT put marriage, divorce, and remarriage into this category?

PERFECT KNOWLEDGE - what some of us are said to preach that is necessary for salvation

UNITY - mutual toleration based on love and humility

FAITHFULNESS – sincerity

FALSE TEACHER – an insincere teacher

Let us be careful not to be misled by this new language. It is the tool of error and will only lead to destruction.

Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Serve God in Sincerity and in Truth

by: Joe R. Price

Joshua challenged Israel as he approached death: “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” (Josh. 24:14) Herein is a three-fold principle which applies to all who would be true to God in their lives.

First, one must fear the Lord. A genuine dread of displeasing Him in our lives must be that which motivates us to right thinking and right living. The whole purpose of our life on earth is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Eccl. 12:13). Jesus commanded that we “fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). If we do not possess a driving respect for God, we will turn away from Him (Rom. 1:28-32).

With proper fear of God within the heart, we can then repent of our sins (“put away the gods...”). Repentance is a sincere change of mind (toward one’s sinful conduct) which is produced by godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10). Such repentance will bear the fruit of a reformed life - one which puts away sin and conforms to truth (Acts 26:20; Rev. 9:20-21). It is not enough to be sorry for our sins. To repent means we are so sorry that we put the sin away and live in truth! Many are deceived into thinking they can be sincerely sorry for their past sin, yet continue to live in it and be pleasing to God. This is no more possible than it was for Israel to be sorry for her past idolatries and yet continue in it.

Thirdly, one must serve the Lord. Conversion to the Lord is not conversion at all unless it is reflected in an obedient life (Lk. 6:46). When one becomes a Christian he becomes a “servant of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). We all serve the master whom we obey (Rom. 6:16). So, if we profess a fear of the Lord in our lives, and have truly repented of our sins, we will sincerely serve the Lord in truth.

Sincerity without truth is vain (Matt. 7:21-23). Truth without sincerity is hypocrisy (Matt. 23:1-3). The call of the gospel of Christ is to bring these two attributes together. Read and carefully consider Ephesians 4:20-24:

“But ye did not so learn Christ; if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.”

Jesus saves all those who obey Him in sincerity and truth (Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Cor. 5:8). Are you?