Your Faith In Jesus Made Secure: the Argument Settled

And without all contradiction the less

is blessed of the better. And here men

that die receive tithes; but there He 

receiveth them, of whom it is

witnessed that He liveth. And as I

may so say, Levi also, who receiveth

tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

For he was yet in the loins of his father,

when Melchisedec met him. If therefore

perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, 

(for under it the people received the law),

 what further need was there that another

 priest should rise after the order of 

Melchisedec, and not be called after the

order of Aaron? For the priesthood

being changed, there is made of necessity

a change also of the law.

Hebrews 7:7-12

     Great question put forth by this writer of Hebrews, one that needs an answer. Why another priest? Did not set forth a priesthood for the nation of Israel? Was not that priesthood in ancient Israel given to Aaron? Yes: "And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar" (Leviticus 1:7-8). Levi a son of Jacob would become a grandparent of Moses and his brother Aaron for a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman and bare children, one being Moses and another Aaron (Exodus 1:1-2; 2:1-3). Aaron chosen to speak the words of the LORD for Moses being now priest also his children were of the priesthood, children of Levi of the Levi tribe: "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that hemay minister unto me in priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons" (Exodus 28:1). Aaron being the first priest and all his sons to be priests from the tribe of Levi the Hebrew writer was completely right in pointing this out, that Aaron would be the one from whom the order should come for any other priest that would come. This was not the case for Aaron had genealogy and the priest that was to come would not have a genealogy of the tribe of Levi but would be pictured by God's priest of Salem: Melchisedec. This difference is important for Aaron would die even though blessed by the less, and even though he and his family would be designated as priests of Israel, Melchisedec prefigured Jesus Christ who came from a line different than Levi. He was to be of the line of Judah, the kingly line and to be a priest as Melchisedec, a king and a priest and to be this He had to be different from the establishment of priests and kings of Israel. The tribe of Levi by commandment became priests and this here too is a difference that must not be overlooked: "For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 7:13-17). 

     The writer of Hebrews is carefully laying out the justification that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, the One who lived, died, a sinless, perfect life, and is both King and Priest, and is the propitiation for sin. The writer's argument cannot be overturned as it is carefully laid out for all to examine and see for themselves that Jesus Christ is who He says He is, and that what He has done on the cross is sufficient to pay the debt owed to God and to have that payment be applied to all who believe upon Him. 

    This argument will be completed in the next blogs, but until then there is enough evidence for anyone who has questions about Jesus Christ as Savior for them to come to believe and to answer objections. I will put the crowing argument forth in the next blog. Until then, take time to carefully go over this argument, make your elections sure by study and living out what was set forth for all Authentic Christians to do and to not do. You can have security in your mind: Jesus is the Savior, believe upon Him and you will be saved.

And the children of Israel said

    unto the LORD, We have sinned:

do unto us whatsoever seemeth 

     good unto thee; deliver us only,

we pray thee, this day.

                       Judges 10:15

Repent and be saved

Richard L. Crumb  

The Type Reveals The Actual

Now consider how great this man was,

unto whom even the patriarch Abraham

gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily 

they that  are of the sons of Levi, who

receive the office of the priesthood,

have a commandment to take tithes

of the people according to the law,

that is, of their brethren, though 

they come out of the loins of Abraham:

but he whose descent is not counted 

from them received tithes of

Abraham, and blessed him that

had the promises.

Hebrews 7:4-6

 

     I do hope your Thanksgiving Day was a good one, you ate much, maybe slept much, watch football, played games, and enjoy family and friends. But most of all I do pray that you took time to be thankful for all you have and especially that gift of eternal life freely given to you by Jesus Christ.

     Sometimes it is easier to skip over those verses that are difficult to understand and hold fast to those easy and more loving verses that make us feel good. God, the Holy Spirit, inspired men to write, not just what would make a person feel "good" or "holy," rather to write so we can fully understand what He has done through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. In the beginning of our walk with the Lord we feast on milk, then comes a time whereby we must mature and eat meat. This is meat. When we come to understand what God has said, His promises, His covenants, and that He reveals Himself through life, the circumstances of life, and how He has used means to reveal Himself and how He as brought salvation to man, then, our faith grows and we mature, we eat meat. 

     Melchisedec for many is a mysterious person as he is mentioned in the account with Abraham and now again here in Hebrews, so, what is important about this man? Remember, we have no account of his birth, or death, and that he was the king of Salem, and was in rank superior to Abraham, received a tithe from Abraham, he blessed Abraham. Was not Abraham given promises by God? Yes! So then, why was he not superior to Melchisedec because we read of any promises to him by God? The greatness of Melchisedec is revealed in this account and that not only a king, but also a priest of the Most High God. This greatness is demonstrated by Abraham giving him a tenth of the spoils, and the blessing given by Melchisedec. Levi, the priesthood of Israel also received tithes, by commandment, tithes from the people. Levi was in the loins of Abraham and it can be said that through Abraham he gave tithes to Melchisedec. In other words, Levi by his ancestor paid tithes to one greater than Abraham, a higher priest than Levi. Now, this may seem hard to understand but it must be remembered that this account of Melchisedec was to be an example for us for he was a type, a type of One who would be superior to the Levitical priests. Abraham paid tithes to one greater than himself, and there would come another priest higher than the Levitical priests. They would need to pay tribute to Him as did Abraham to Melchisedec. 

      Abraham already had the promises of God, and yet, Melchisedec gave him blessings, therefore the lessor was blessed by the greater. Abraham was gladdened by Melchisedec's blessing and tithing to the greater did not lower the dignity of Abraham. Abraham was in covenant with God. To him (Abraham) God had given to him exceeding great and precious promises. This truth must not go unnoticed: man is happy, and rich, he has the promises of life now, and life to come. These promises come from Jesus Christ who is superior to man, to the Levite priesthood, and from Him who has no beginning, nor end, and is even superior to the one who served as His type. The promises of Jesus are promises from God Himself and only God could give promises that are sure to be fulfilled. Jehovah Witnesses who believe that Jesus is a created being, an angel, created by God to be the Savior are not just wrong, they put God into a quagmire, He could never be sure that Jesus would perform what was needed to save man, in fact He could not as an angel, did not angels fall from grace? Yes! Some did not, but this only occurred when they were faced with the dilemma to choose God, or Satan. Jesus would have to choose and choice opens the door for possibility, there would be no assurance, Jesus would not be the antitype, that which was foreshadowed by a type (Melchisedec) who was a type and symbol in the Old Testament and prefigured Jesus Christ in the New Testament the One who would also be King of Peace, High Priest, the One who could bless mankind. The one who give a blessing is greater than the one receiving the blessing and Jesus Christ give an everlasting blessing of eternal life to all who believe upon Him, as God, as Savior, as the One promised and prefigured in the Old Testament to be that One promised by God. Jesus Christ was a priest after the order of Melchisedec, not Levi, for Jesus was of the line of Judah, the line of the kings of Israel. Jesus was not just king, He was and is our High priest. 

      Now, as Authentic Christians, we must submit to Him in simplicity to trust Him, and to enjoy His blessings, to seek peace, the peace of His kingdom, and to now understand that we can expect with full assurance that He is the One from whom alone can bless and promise and give and keep both for eternity. Let us go forth in our daily walk, in our spiritual conflicts that life throws at us, to live in His strength, and to trust in His word, to rest in His grace.

 

He hath showed thee, O man,

     what is good; and what doth 

the LORD require of thee, but to

    do justly, and to love mercy, 

and to walk humbly with thy God?

                   Micah 6:8

 

God is revealed to you: in His word

 

Richard L. Crumb

Who Is This Melchisedec?

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem,

priest of the most high God,

who met Abraham returning from

the slaughter of the kings, and blessed

him; to whom also Abraham gave a

tenth part of all; first being by 

interpretation King of righteousness,

and after that also King of Salem, which is,

King of peace; without father, without

mother, without descent, having

neither beginning of days, nor end

of life, but made like unto the Son

of God; abideth a priest continually.

Hebrews 7:1-3 

      Over the years there has been many different interpretation as to who Melchisedec was and some even went so far as to establish that all Christians were to give at least a 10th, a tithe to the Church. Some have speculated that Melchisedec was Jesus Christ, a theophany, or Christophany and several doctrines were developed by those speculations and interpretations. So then, we must take time to ferret out the truth according to Scripture and not mere speculations, or presuppositions. 

     In Hebrews chapter five the nature of the priesthood of Jesus Christ was treated of and in this chapter (7) it is treated in a larger manner. For the Hebrews genealogy was most important and kept for all to read and see, to handle disputes over land, etc...., and the Hebrew writer writes of the genealogy of Melchisedec, for him to be without genealogy. Why? The name of Melchisedec was not to be found in the public genealogical records, his father and mother were unknown. There is no record of his birth or death, it is as if he had always been and will always be, no record exists. Also, Abraham gave to Melchisedec a tenth, a tithe to Melchisedec so we must then examine this action. In the world from those heathen writers they tell of the customary giving of a tenth of spoils to religious leaders, therefore it was not uncommon for this to be done and Abraham followed this custom. Remember, Abraham came from the area around Babylon, a people that did not believe in Jehovah, and they gave tithes from victors to religious leaders. It was part of their worship. There were followers of Jehovah in the land of the Babylonians and Abraham was one of those followers but he also was influenced by the customs of the land. Therefore it is a bit of a stretch to use this tithing of Abraham as a rule for Christians who are under a New Covenant. This rule of giving of a tithe became a requirement under the Old Covenant of the Hebrews. Yes, we are required as Christian to give money, time, and support as God places this upon the heart, but not to give before covering all bills for to not do so is to demonstrate a poor witness. 

     As I wrote there are and have been many opinions about Melchisedec, some that he was an angel, some state that he was an emanation of God, or actually the Son of God, but all these opinions cannot stand the test for what we know from Scripture is that Melchisedec was a righteous and peaceful king, a worshiper and priest of the Most High God, living in the land of Canaan, a friend of Abraham and had a rank above Abraham. If we hold to the opinion that Melchisedec was Jesus Christ, then we would be forced to adopt the interpretation, that Christ is like unto Himself. Was not that which the writer of Hebrews wrote? Yes! Melchisedec was "made like," and to be made like is not to make him to be anything else, a representation, and that representation was of Jesus Christ.  

     For Abraham to be deemed, by his posterity, to be the patriarch and head of all of his descendants, to hold pre-eminence in rank, then by his action towards Melchisedec by paying him dues acknowledges his inferiority to Melchisedec, therefore the descendants of Abraham are also inferior to Melchisedec. Let us look at that statement: it is built upon the oriental method to estimate descent and rank, and would follow as seen in the Jewish manner of reasoning, that the priesthood of Melchisedec was a rank higher or superior than that of Levi. Many of the things needed by the Jewish people due to their condition and times, urged upon them, are less applicable to us, merely because our circumstances differ so much from them. 

     This Hebrew writer is giving to us the excellency of Jesus Christ and does so by comparison with Melchisedec and later we will find that this true also of the Levites. This writer is proving upon principles received by themselves, the faith, and principles of the ancient people of Israel.      

     I will after Thanksgiving, as I will take that day off, to give more information that is to be found in Scripture and show the intent and revelation why this writer was inspired to write what he wrote and make application to our time. 

Have a great thanksgiving, eat much, sleep much, and do not forget to give thanks for our freedoms, for our nation, and most of all: the greatest blessing to us from God: Jesus Christ!

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings:

     be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice

    with trembling.

                  Psalm 1:10-11

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Richard L. Crumb  

How To Live As A Chosen One By God

For the earth which drinketh in the rain

that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth

forth herbs meet for them by whom 

it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 

 but that which beareth thorns and briers

is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing;

whose end is to be burned.

Hebrews 6:7-8

     This illustration has a two-fold application: 1. The earth is blessed when good things are come upon it, a blessing from God for all good is from God, that is, as all things are ordained of God He allows means to accomplish His purpose and in this case we are blessed for God provided a means to grow food. Do good and good things will happen to you. 2. If a person lives a life of bad, a thing which God has also ordained, that is, He will not put His hand out to save you from that which you know is wrong. He will allow it, and by your bad choice you will not receive a blessing of good, and only have in the end destruction. The writer of Hebrews goes on to explain his illustration: "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak" (Hebrew 6:9). God in creating this world provided what is needed for this world, rain, sun, fog, trees, water, etc.... all that is needed for life. You are blessed even if you are not a Christian for all participate in this blessing of God. An Authentic Christian has a blessing above that which all men are blessed and that blessing is salvation. This salvation does not come about by any of your works no matter how good they are, but many are blessed do to your good works. This general blessing can come from anyone, Christian or non-Christian, but, if they come by means of your faith in Jesus Christ, in God who blesses His people with salvation, then there is a special blessing for anyone who will receive that blessing. As James stated: "Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone, Yea, a man may say, Thu hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works and I will shew thee my faith by my works" (James 2:17-18). To say that dead faith is alone is to say that it is done for reasons other than Authentic Christian Faith, it for self aggrandizement, and not for and with Jesus Christ. Out of our Authentic Christian Faith comes authentic works, works that will have a blessing from God for it is done with God, not for Him, but with Him and accomplishes His purpose, a purpose to reveal Himself and His salvation. Apathy does not do anyone any good, but too many Christians have become apathetic or are working in some Christian service with other reasons than to be a true Authentic Christian in service for God, for they do this service hoping to get some applause. God sees the heart: "For is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 6:10-12). This work of love is for the name of God, for Jesus Christ Who is God, come in the flesh, showing us how to love and this will take and does take diligence, not for some time but for all time until you reach heaven. That is the promise of God, again, not do to your works but by the faithful and true promise of God given before you did anything: "For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swear by Himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee" (Hebrews 6:13-14). God made a promise and that promise has the highest surety, God Himself and we can be assured then that God Who is true to Himself will keep His promises. So why will we not? "And so, after he had endured, he obtained the promises. For men verily swear by the greater; and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel,  confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 6:15-20). 

     Question: Have you fled, fled from this old world that is coming to destruction, and in the present is attempting to destroy you now? Are you fleeing to God or from God? Are you laying hold of the sure promises of God? Is God your anchor? We have Jesus Christ Who died for our sins, and did so willingly, not as some created creature, rather, it was God who paid this debt for you by Himself, through His Wisdom Who became the Only Begotten Son of God. Are you willing to set aside your hopes for success in this world to be successful for God, for Jesus Christ? We all must make a choice and I pray that your choice will be for God, for His Son, and lay hold of the greatest of all promises, everlasting life.

Give thanks unto the LORD,

     for He is good: for His

mercy endureth forever.

     Let the redeemed of the LORD

say so, whom He hath redeemed

    from the hand of the enemy

                   Psalm 107:1-2

God redeemed you: live for Him

Richard L. Crumb

Can You Lose Your Salvation?

For it is impossible for those who were

once enlightened, and have tasted

of the heavenly gift, and were made 

partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have

tasted the good word of God, and the

powers of the world to come, if they

shall fall away, to renew them again

unto repentance; seeing they crucify

to themselves the Son of God afresh,

and put Him to open shame.

Hebrews 6:4-6

     Jesus did not sugar-coat His words, He spoke the truth no matter what if may cost, to Him, or to those hearing Him. "Pick up your cross and follow me", or, "Deny yourself, even fathers, mothers, sisters, daughters, son, or anyone else," harsh! Not often spoken by preachers in today's cultural Christianity. The Greek word: άδύνατον: to be without power to do a thing, impossible, this word so strong we must not sugar-coat it in anyway. It is "impossible" with no possibility. For whom? Those who have been enlightened. Sometimes it is very infuriating because some will allow their presuppositions to translate a word to mean what the word or the context does not warrant. For instance some will say that this word "enlightenment" stands for "baptism" which this word does not even imply. What this word stands for is found in the grammar, for it is a passive participle, and in this grammar it is being used metaphorically of spiritual enlightenment (John 1:9; Ephesians 1:18; 3:9). In the second or the third century this Greek word took on a mystical sense and applied to being given something when baptized as in baptismal regeneration, or to be given anything when a person is baptized. Baptism is simply a person's outward display of what occurred inwardly, publicly or privately, either way a person is physically confirming their commitment to Jesus Christ. 

     A person who has tasted all the good things from the word of God, and come to know the power of the coming of Jesus Christ and the the heavenly kingdom, to have become a partaker of the Holy Spirit, then fall away: how can they be renewed to repentance? It is impossible, they have put the Lord Jesus Christ to shame, they crucify Jesus Christ once more. A person has come to be convicted of their sins and became satisfied by the word of God that it was good, a holy and salutary, and that they were to attend to the word of God, to those gifts given to them, but they did not, their old nature hardened their hearts and the new nature of Jesus Christ having been now replaced the become unregenerated and crucify Jesus Christ over and over again. Some have gone so far to renounce the Christian religion, they even have blasphemed the name of Jesus Christ. Their roots were shallow, and what they are actually showing is: they never really converted to Jesus Christ even with all the things that they have learned and heard, they said they were, but actually they were not, their actions prove this to be true. 

     We are not speaking of "backsliding" for we are still encumbered by our old nature and the temptations of this world, we are still in an imperfect state. Do not use these verses to prove a person can lose their salvation for this is not taught in Scripture. If you truly repented, not just feel sorry for your sins, but come to know that your sin was against a Holy God, God through His Only Begotten Son will save you and preserve you. If you are committing sin over and over, the same sin, the same attitude that stands against God, you may want to take time to examine your belief and your salvation, is it real, or just something you would like to have, which? All of us should beware, cautious for we all face a precipice in which we could fall. God saves, we then do all for His glory and if we fail, we come to Him humbly knowing that it was God, His Holiness, that we have failed, not us, or them, but God. The best insurance against failing is to study His word, to pray for help from Him, and to then pragmatically do what the Bible says to do and not to do that which it says not to do. Who are we pleasing? Ourselves or God? Can't do both if dichotomy exists in our lives. 

    The love of God is greater than anything we can do or give to Him, for He gave of Himself, His Wisdom, to become flesh to die upon a cross to pay this debt of sin owed to Him, He paid it, not you, He did it when you never deserved it, so great is His love, a love that through Jesus Christ is given to all who will believe on Him and by this belief you will not hear that it is impossible for you to be renewed. Do not run from Him in fear, run to Him in love for He first loved you.

And the LORD said, I will destroy

    man whom I have created from

the face of the earth; both man, 

    and beast, and the creeping thing,

and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth

    me that I have made them. But Noah

found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

                       Genesis 6:7-8

God preserves His children

Richard L. Crumb

What Does The Love Of God Mean?

Therefore leaving the principles 

of the doctrine of Christ, let us

go on unto perfection; not laying again 

the foundation of repentance from dead works, 

and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms

 and the laying on of hands, and of resurrection 

of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 

And this will we do, if God permits. 

Hebrews 6:1-3

     To leave behind the principles of the doctrine of Jesus Christ is not to mean that they are never or hardly ever, remembered or are the foundation that is no longer a part of an Authentic Christians Faith. The literal translation makes this point very clear: "Wherefore, having left the of the beginning of the Christ discourse" (Hebrews 6:1a). Example: A carpenter does not just pour the foundation of a house, that is what will carry the house as it reaches completion, made ready for habitation. This is what is meant by the "leaving behind the principles of the doctrine of Christ," as that is the foundation, the beginning, and from the beginning we grow to maturity, "perfection" is not to mean as some did that there is Christian perfection to be reached in this life, no, as the Greek word: "τελειότητα" means, to be brought to completion, fully accomplished, fully developed to be perfect in some point of character, in respect to a certain standard. We are to come to full growth in Jesus Christ and this can only have some measure of accomplishment by our obedience. 

     These verses have caused much distress and discourse by many theologians and often led some to oppose the doctrine of the believers perseverance. In the day of this writer especially were there miracles and a time, which has so often no longer used, that those who desire to come into the Church had to first come to a knowledge of the first principle, that is, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and to come to a place where they could make a satisfactory profession of faith. All this before they could be admitted into the Church: how far has the Church left this important aspect for the Church and how much liberal Christianity and the culture of this world entered into the Church. Some by this failure admit homosexuals into teachers, and preachers and to be able to partake of the Lord's Supper, and other things, to allow same sex marriage, etc.... why, they allowed the world to come into the Church and did not take the time to ensure that a person who comes into the Church is a truly professing Christian. There must never by teaching that does not first make necessity of repentance from the works of men, those who are dead in their sins. There is much discord about baptism, should only adults be baptized, or infants, and should there be wine, or grape juice, or should the one entering speak in some mysterious tongue. What is meant by the laying on of hands, and those solemn practices for the dead. What as does one such church teach, to lay on tombstones and get some infusion from the dead. There is so much attention and time to teach these practices before teaching the first principles of Jesus Christ. 

     A problem is: very few of us know anything about the conviction of sin. Oh, some rely on the experience, or the experience of being disturbed because of doing wrong, but conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit is given excuses, and often blotted out. This is not Authentic Christian Faith, for the Holy Spirit does blot out every relationship on earth and leaves a person to have only one relationship: Jesus Christ. A person may know that he is convicted of sin, but here is a major difference in regard to conviction: a man knows when he is convicted that God dare not forgive him, for if this were true then that man would have a greater sense of justice than God. Yes, God does forgive sin! But not due to a person coming to know that he is a sinner, that is a first step but not for God for His forgiveness is only by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This grace of God, this miracle of forgiveness is not only that He forgives sin, He do to the death of His Only Begotten Son that enables Him to forgive sin. By this death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that enables the Divine nature to forgive sin and remain true to Himself. How often do you hear: "God forgives us because He is love." that is shallow nonsense to say that, and when we are truly convicted of sin we will never say that again. The love of God means Calvary, and nothing less: the love of God is spilled out upon the cross and nowhere else. This is the only ground on which God can forgive a person, through the cross of Jesus Christ. 

     God forgives and you can be saved from hell and made right for heaven, but forgiveness means that you are forgiven into a recreated relationship and identification with God in Jesus Christ. This is the miracle of Redemption and this means that God has turned you from what you were into what God intends you to be, to come to the standard of Himself, and putting into you a new disposition of Jesus Christ. 

Seek the LORD, and ye shall live:

     lest He break out like fire

in the house of Joseph, and 

    devour it, and there be none

to quench it in Bethel.

                  Amos 5:6

Do you know that you are in need of a Savior?

Richard L. Crumb  

Learning To Be Skillful In The Word Of Righteousness

Of whom we have many things to say,

and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are

dull of hearing. For when for the time

ye ought to be teachers, ye have

need that one teach you again which

be the first principles of the oracles

of God; and are become such as have

need of milk, and not strong meat.

For every one that useth milk is 

unskilful in the word of righteousness:

for he is a babe. But strong meat 

belongeth to them that are full age,

ven those who be reason of use

have their senses exercised to

discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 5:11-14

     Dull hearing; a problem most people have had at one time or another. This dull hearing spoken here is to have difficulty in interpretation, to speak that interpretation and this comes about by the sluggishness in hearing. It isn't that the ears with their various elements for hearing do not hear sound, they do, but they will not, or do not, hear with their minds, so they cannot utter correct interpretation. It is not that they do not at least some element of the truth, they do, but they will not or cannot understand complete truth. This comes about when a person will not take the time to examine all things (1Thessalonians 5:21), and then be able to hold fast to the truth. We know that the truth had been taught to those whom the writer to the Hebrews was writing, they should have been teachers but were not, they were either teaching falsely, or not at all. They needed teaching again for the only slurped up milk, and avoided the toughness of meat. They took in what they liked, that which tickled their ears, that which fit their presuppositions, and would not listen to any other teaching. The result was and is: they were unskilled in the word of God. They are and were babes in God, not mature in God. There is not excuse for this for a person comes of age whereby they can take time to examine, to test, to learn of the truth, and then to avoid the false. They who are growing in the truth come to a place where they can discern the good and the bad. The starting point is the first principles of the Gospel and that is that Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, the Wisdom of God in the flesh, came to die to pay this debt we owe to God, and this by dying on the cross. This sacrifice, vicarious, propitiation sacrifice, makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven and by our faith in Jesus Christ we have the promise of God for eternal life. Apathy, laziness, dullness, or any other possibility that takes a person from the truth is abhorrent to God and God will not bless that person, and this may show that that person is not an Authentic Christian and the promise of everlasting life may not apply to them, at least at this time. Man can change and this change come by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). This free gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8) is by our reading and hearing the word of God and then that faith being applied and exercised in our life. 

     Inspect what you expect: a rule that should be a guide for a person' life. Do not just believe, do not just agree, do not just follow a person, take time to inspect, to examine. Is their anything else that is more important than the truth? No! I had the privilege to speak to and witness to two Jehovah Witnesses and notice a fault that occurs in many religious organization, they follow only that organization, and they take what, or whoever, teachers as truth without taking time to examine. They can quote Scriptures, but without context, and apply their beliefs to those Scripture and this without knowledge of the grammar or language, and this is they are taking for granted what they are hearing. This is sluggishness, laziness, it is easy, it sounds good, but is it truth, not necessarily. How would a person know if it was if they do not exam and test and inspect what is being taught. Why sit in a chair, pew, and hear the sermon and do not test what the preacher is saying, you might find that he is teaching truth, or not, and then you can take proper action, to stay, or not to stay in that organization. God will bless those who actually with a desire to know the truth to come to the truth and this by means of the Holy Spirit who guides you into truth, that is if we listen for and to the Holy Spirit. Not some man, or some doctrine, but the Holy Spirit, God, will teach you and lead you and make clear by your study, your examination to find and know the truth. The question is: Will you test, will you examine, will you become mature, or will you ever need milk. Only you, or I, can answer that question. 

Awake, awake; put on thy strength,

     O Zion; put on the beautiful gaments,

O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth 

    there shall no more come into thee the

uncircumcised and the unclean.

                   Isaiah 52:1

You are the city of God, the holy city

Richard L. Crumb 

Jesus Our High Priest: After The Order Of Melchizedek

As He saith also in another place,

Thur art a priest for ever after 

the order of Melchisedek. Who in

the days of His flesh, when He had

offered up prayers and supplications

with strong crying and tears unto Him

that was able to save Him from death,

and was heard in that He feared;

though He were a Son, yet learning

obedience by the things which He 

suffered; and being made perfect, He 

became the author of eternal salvation

unto all them that obey Him; called 

of God an high priest after the 

order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 5:6-10

     The Hebrew writer as he has been doing applies Old Testament history and in this case Melchisedec a man who we know little about inasmuch that we do know he approached Abraham, blessed him and was given tithe to him. We find no genealogy, no from where he came, or where he was going, but we do know he was a priest of God. Melchizedec was king of Salem, a place that came to be known as Jerusalem. The name Melchizedec means "king of righteousness" and his title King of Salem also means "king of peace." We know nothing of any religious rituals, but we do know that Melchizedec brought "bread and wine" for Abraham (Abram). Lack of any record for Melchizedec and this little amount of information about his background in Scripture we can only surmise that he demonstrated the same qualities as Jesus Christ. Some theologians theorize that Melchizedek was a theophany of Jesus Christ, a manifestation of deity. I do not hold to that theory for Melchizedec was a king of a certain place: Salem (later Jerusalem). 

     A key point in the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is our high priest just as was Melchizedek, one appointed by God, as this must also have been the appointment for Melchizedek. Melchizedek interceded for Abraham and Jesus Christ intercedes on our behalf. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God, the One who took on flesh as we are flesh. As a Man Jesus Christ learned obedience through suffering and by not sinning He was made perfect, the exact payment for what was lost by Adam. Obedience, this is our requirement, it is for us to discipline ourselves to obey Him for in Jesus Christ is the source of eternal salvation.

     This use of the word "fear" must be understood for in our society "fear" is not necessarily a good thing, in fact it is most often used to show a "bad feeling." This is not the Greek word used and translated as "fear;" εύλαβείας: A receiving of good godliness, a reverential fear, a holy fear. A concern or an apprehension, to be cautious. Is this not the type of fear we should display? Yes! We must never think that Jesus had any desire to sin, for He did not, He, while being man, was also God in the flesh, He could not sin, but nonetheless He was buffeted by sin, and in His manliness Satan thought that He could ruin this Messiah. What Satan must not have know was that Jesus was no ordinary man, He was God/Man. As Man Jesus kept in close contact with the Father who had sent Him, and obeyed the will of the Father even though all this world and all its problems were felt by Him and were distressing to the point of tears, tears for man who did not have this godliness but could have it if they would only obey. Obedience is the test of our Authentic Christian Faith. This High Priest, Jesus Christ, and is the Author of eternal life, asks of us to obey, and if we want eternal life then we obey and if we fail we have a Savior who know our infirmities and makes intercession for us, although we are never to abuse this wonderful intercession (Hebrews 1-:26). God has called you, will you answer? God has made all that which we need to know about Him and salvation. Will you accept what God has provided? This will require discipline, you must discipline yourself, and you must turn from sin to have this eternal life, for if not, then it is questionable whether or not you are an Authentic Christian. We are still human we make mistakes, not excuse, but we do make mistakes, we just do not do them again, and when we learn of our mistakes we turn to God, to our Savior, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. We live this life we have, but we do it by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that leads us to God's word for us to know sin, and to know what not to do, and what to do. We must do it: God will not! We are to walk in circumspect, that is to be prudent, to observe and to do. There is no alibi, there is no excuses, God will not accept them, we, and we only are responsible for our lives and for our obedience. God calls, you and I are to respond to that call. 

The LORD knoweth the days 

     of the upright: and their

inheritance shall be forever.

                 Psalm 37:18

To be the image of Jesus is obedience

Richard L. Crumb

 

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What Is The Dispensation And Economy Of God?

For every high priest taken from among

men is ordained for men in things

pertaining to God, that He may offer

both gifts and sacrifices for sins; who 

can have compassion on the ignorant, 

and on them that are out of the way;

for that He Himself also is compassed

with infirmity. And by reason hereof 

He ought, as for the people, so also

for Himself, to offer for sins. And 

no man taketh this honor unto 

Himself, but He that is called 

of God, as was Aaron. 

Hebrews 5:1-4

     In the economy and dispensation of God men (not women) were chosen to lead the Church (women have an important role but not as leaders of the Church): "And He gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1Corinthians 12:28). For some Churches today the dispensation and economy of God for the building up of saints are not following God's words and commands. Is this dispensation really for men only? Yes! The Old Testament testifies to this doctrine: "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding," "As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before Thee" (Jeremiah 4:15; 17:16). There is warrant from the Old Testament for the doctrine in the New Testament. Women have a most important role, not lessor, but important in other ways: they teach their children, other women, do service in many other ways, but to lead the Church: NO! "But I suffer not a woman to teach, or to usurp authority the man, but to be in silence" (1Timothy 2:12). How this command is abused as to be disobedient, following after the culture of this world that attempts to empower women, to be equal with men, and they are but not in the dispensation of God for the Church. God called Aaron, not a woman, God calls men into this special service to lead the Church: This is God's way, not man's: "For Adam was first formed, the Eve" (1Timothy 2:13). To be called to lead the Church is not to be taken lightly for God set a man to lead well: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1Timothy 5:17). 

     Whatever we do we do all to the glory of God: "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1Corinthians 10:31). Why will not men simply follow the word of God? Did not God take on flesh, to be found in the form of man to die for sin, our sins? Yes! So then why not simply follow His commands? Are they not of God, and are we not to follow them? Yes! Unfortunately there are some Theological school that are liberal, cultural Christians producing men to follow after this liberal Christianity and that liberal person brings to the Church that which is not Scriptural. They are not laboring in the word and doctrine, they are forming and teaching another gospel. Some so-called pastors, especially some of those who are televangelists, or preachers, living and teaching for their own self-righteousness, to be as a celebrity, rather than to be simply teaching and preaching the word of God: many follow after them getting their ears tickled. Leaders of the Church are worthy of double honor, but for some this means to be very wealthy and live in so much luxury and at the same time decry about poverty (this is called double-tongued, or speaking out both sides of the mouth at the same time), run from them, find a Church that teaches and preaches the word of God as it is written, who are following the economy and dispensation of God. Yes, this may mean that you leave behind friends, and even family Is it not better to follow God, to follow the words of Jesus that say that if we are not willing to do those things then we cannot be His friend? "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. and a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy for me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:35-38). "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him" (John 14:21). 

      Jesus Christ has been set forth in Hebrews as our High Priest, our Savior, making it possible for all who believe and follow Him to have everlasting life, but, while we are here on this earth we will have trouble and persecution as we follow Him. We must choose: who will we follow? Man or God, this world's culture or Jesus Christ and the dispensation set forth for us to follow. Choose well!

The breath of our nostrils,

     that anointed of the LORD,

was taken in their pits, of whom

     we said, Under His shadow we 

shall live among the heathen.

                      Lamentations 5:20 

Jesus Christ: The joy of our heart

Richard L. Crumb

 

Seeking God In All The Right Places And Ways

There remaineth therefore a rest 

to the people of God. For He that

entered into His rest, He also hath

ceased from His own works, as 

God did from His. Let us labor

into that rest, lest any man fall

after the same example of unbelief.

For the word of God is quick, and 

powerful, and sharper than any 

two edged sword, piercing even

to dividing asunder of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow, and 

is a discerner of the thoughts of the

heart. Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in His sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of Him with whom

we have to do.

Hebrews 4:9-13

     Authentic Christians, those who have Authentic Christian Faith have a rest that all others do not have for Authentic Christians are people of God. The writer of Hebrews has with clarity given the example from the history of the Hebrews how then fell back to unbelief, fell back and desired the things of the past, the life of following God was much to hard for them and we can see how that worked out for them: they wandered for 40 years in the desert until those who came out of Egypt, not the children that were born during this wandering, but those who came out of Egypt died and only their offspring were allowed into the land prepared for them, the land of rest, the land given to Abraham as an inheritance. Moses was not even allowed to take the Hebrews into the promised land, not that he was unforgiven for his failures, no, but there are consequences for not being obedient and Moses underwent the consequence of his failure. Do we think that God will not allowed us to be recipients of our failures? I hope not for God has shown by many examples of the failures of the Hebrews how they were captured and made slaves of another nation, how they fell back to the ways of the world with all their idolatrous ways. Are you, or have you turned back to those old ways that seemed so much better than the trouble that comes by faithfulness to God? I hope not! It is disobedience, unbelief, that is blasphemy against God who has revealed this evidence for our safety, for our rest. It will take work, we have to labor, why? Because it is work for we stand against the wiles of the Devil, those ungodly things this world does and believes and they are angry about this and attack us in any way they can. 

     Here is a very often quoted verse: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword....." (Hebrews 4:12a). Really? Do you believe that? If so then are you allowing yourself to be obedient to the word of God? Is the word of God actually  quick and powerful, and sharper for you? It is for God! God sees all you do and hears all you say and is able to discern your thoughts, those intents of the heart. God has opened up all things for you, those things that should be leading you in all you say and do and think. He has not hidden from you His will. Will you do His will? Are you seeking God in "all the wrong places" those things that are not Scriptural but make a person feel godly, righteous, but are in actuality a contradiction to the life of an Authentic Christian? 

     "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). There is it is in a nutshell: we have a high priest one who was tempted as we are and did not sin who sits in heaven at the right hand of God Who is making intercession for us by means of the vicarious offering He made upon the cross. Jesus died, first to satisfy the justice of God and then to make a way for salvation to you and all who will believe upon Him, not as some creature, some creation, no but as the Only Begotten Son of God, God Himself, the Second Person of the Godhead who emptied Himself to do this work until it was finished. Jesus did His work: are you willing to do yours? Do you want mercy and grace? If so then come boldly before the throne of God and that boldness is manifested in your life as you take the Gospel to the world, and by your obedience to His word that has been revealed to you by those God inspired to write His words. What have you to lose? The gain or loss is determined by your Authentic Christian Faith and that is a faith of obedience. God is willing to give you grace and mercy; are you making way for this? I pray that this is true for you.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

     And why art thou disquieted in me? 

Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise 

   Him for the help of His countenance.;

                    Psalm 42:5

Be a diligent worker for God

Richard L. Crumb

  

Entering Now Into The Rest Of God

For He spake in a certain place of 

the seventh(day) in this manner. 

And God did rest the seventh day

from all His works. And in this place

again, if they shall enter into My rest. 

Seeing therefore it remaineth that

some must enter therein, and they to 

whom it was first preached entered

not in because of unbelief; again,

He limiteth a certain day, saying

in David, Today, after so long a time;

as it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, 

 harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had

giventhem rest, then would he not 

afterward have spoken of another day.

Hebrews 4:4-8

      God through His inspiration to the writer of Hebrews reveals a principle that must not be neglected and that principle is that only those who believe will enter into His rest. God worked, created for six days and on the seventh day rested as did Adam and Eve, this principle of doing the work was do be done six days and on the seventh to rest. This principle of keeping the seventh day as a day of rest was a requirement for the Hebrews, that principle still is in force today. Under the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ the seventh day according to the tradition of the Hebrews for a day of rest changed for the Christians to be the first day of the week and then work the next six days. Christians still rest on the seventh day albeit that day is the first day of the week. This change from Saturday to Sunday set the Christians apart from the Hebrews as to the time to assemble and hear the word of God preached. In time the separation of the day of rest became important as the Hebrews came to despise the Christians and the Christians knew that they did no longer believe in the coming of the Messiah, He had come and it was Him they worshiped. Sunday, the first day of the week came to be the time for Christians to meet: "And upon the first day of he week, came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight" (Acts 20:7). Sunday, the first day of the week then became the traditional day for Christians to meet.

     Why meet at all? Why take this time to come together? Isn't belief enough? It is true that a person can read his Bible, study the Bible himself, pray himself, and live a moral life according to the Bible. The problem with isolation is that this is not Scriptural for we come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ to support them, to cheer them up when this world comes tumbling down upon them, to aid them in finances, to ensure that they have food, but most of all together hear the word of God and to remember that they, on this day, have entered into rest with God. There is strength in numbers and more important there is strength in those numbers whereby together they meet this world with its trials and troubles and to sing together, to pray together and to enjoy one another' company. If not for this then in isolation a person will soon wither and fret and become so solemn that God will fade away. It takes strength and that strength comes by means of our being together. 

     Authentic Christians have the inheritance promised by God, to be able to enter into His rest, to have peace with God and confidence in Him. Authentic Christians know His love and delight in service with Him to bring joy and hope as the Holy Spirit directs and aids, to share the Gospel of Salvation to others. This is our work now and when Jesus comes that work will be done and we will enter into His rest. We meet on Sunday, our Sabbath, our day of rest pointing to the rest to come. We never lose sight of our Redeemer who restores all things. This present day of rest points to that day of rest promised to all of those who believe and convert to Jesus Christ. 

     Do not make excuses for not meeting together as often as possible, especially on the first day of the week Sunday when together we glean strength to meet the next six days. Come to Church and be ready to listen, to sing, to laugh in enjoyment to be with like brothers and sisters. Do not make Sunday just a day to play, take time to speak about what was preached, to rest, to just take time to remember what God has done for you, this is hard when meeting those everyday problems to take this time, Sunday is a great day to do just that. Will you?

Now therefore arise, O LORD God,

     into thy resting place, thou 

and the ark of thy strength: let

    thy priests, O LORD God, be

clothed with salvation, and let

    thy saints rejoice in goodness.

                         II Chronicles 6:41

You are a priest of God

Richard L. Crumb