Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be
an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
(which He had promised afore by His prophets
in the holy scriptures,) concerning His Son Jesus
Christ our Lord, which was made of the
seed of David according to the flesh; and declared
to be the Son of God with power, according
to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from
the dead: by whom we have received grace
and apostleship, for obedience to the faith
among all nations, for His name: among whom
are ye also the called of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-6
This epistle by Paul and about his calling to be a servant of God must not be mistaken that this calling was not for all who claim Jesus Christ as Savior. Notice that from the singular about himself he goes on in the plural (we) and that we have also received apostleship. Apostleship means in the Greek, not just a person, but a person who is sent to do something and that something for Authentic Christians is to be obedient, and to take the Gospel (that is being obedient) into all the world (Acts 1:8).
What has occurred throughout Church history is a falling away from this fact that we are not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the Gospel of God. The Gosple is to be realized as the abiding reality, not human goodness, nor holiness, nor heaven, nor hell; but Redemption, that is the Gospel. It is redemption that is the true reality and the most vital need for Christian workers today. We, as Authentic Christians must get used to the fact of the revelation that Redemption is the only reality. Personal holiness is only and effect of Redemption, not the cause, and if we place or faith in human goodness, the the effect of Redemption will not stand the test. As long as we have our eyes on ourselves, our personal whiteness, we shall never get near the reality of Redemption. God cannot bless, cannot deliver you or me if there is no reckless abandon to God. If our interest is in ourselves, in your one character, you will not be recklessly abandon to God, to His Gospel. We will not be able to be used of God as God intends to use us.
Is history important? Well, Paul wrote: "but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Galatians 4:4-6). History has informed us, that is if we will allow it to do so, that the Greeks, the Romans, and all other nations before Christ contributed to the preparation for the appearance of Jesus Christ. Yes, some of the contributions were negative in their impact on the world but they did still contribute to the development in time, this historical development to the point whereby Jesus Christ could make the maximum impact upon history that was not available in history before or since His birth. Let us continue to read what Clement of Rome wrote for in history of the Church he was an early father of the Church, a friend and associate of the apostles of Jesus Christ.
"The heavens, revolving under His government,
are subject to Him in peace. Day and night run the course appointed by
Him, in no wise hindering each other. The sun and moon, with the
companies of the stars, roll on in harmony according to His command,
within their prescribed limits, and without any deviation. The fruitful
earth, according to His will, brings forth food in abundance, at the
proper seasons, for man and beast and all the living beings upon it,
never hesitating, nor changing any of the ordinances which He has fixed.
The unsearchable places of abysses, and the indescribable arrangements of
the lower world, are restrained by the same laws. The vast unmeasurable
sea, gathered together by His working into various basins, (Or,
“collections.”) never passes beyond the bounds
placed around it, but does as He has commanded. For He said, “Thus
far shalt thou come, and thy waves shall be broken within
thee.”
(Job xxxviii. 11.) The ocean, impassable
to man, and the worlds beyond it, are regulated by the same enactments of
the Lord. The seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, peacefully
give place to one another. The winds in their several quarters (Or, “stations.”) fulfill, at the proper time, their service without hindrance.
The ever-flowing fountains, formed both for enjoyment and health, furnish
without fail their breasts for the life of men. The very smallest of living beings meet together in peace and concord. All these
the great Creator and Lord of all has appointed to exist in peace and
harmony; while He does good to all, but most abundantly to us who have
fled for refuge to His compassions through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom
be glory and majesty for ever and ever. Amen.
Take heed, beloved, lest
His many kindnesses lead to the condemnation of us all. [For thus it must
be] unless we walk worthy of Him, and with one mind do those things which
are good and well-pleasing in His sight. For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place,
“The Spirit of the Lord is a candle searching the secret parts of
the belly.”
(Prov. xx. 27.) Let us reflect how near He
is, and that none of the thoughts or reasonings in which we engage are
hid from Him. It is right, therefore, that we should not leave the post
which His will has assigned us. Let us rather
offend those men who are foolish, and inconsiderate, and lifted up, and
who glory in the pride of their speech, than [offend] God. Let us
reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us; let us
esteem those who have the rule over us; (Comp. Heb. xiii. 17; 1
Thess. v. 12, 13.) let us honour the aged (Or, “the
presbyters.”) among us; let us train up the young men in
the fear of God; let us direct our wives to that which is good. Let them
exhibit the lovely habit of purity [in all their conduct]; let them show
forth the sincere disposition of meekness; let them make manifest the
command which they have of their tongue, by their manner (Some read, “by their
silence.”) of speaking; let them display their love, not
by preferring (Comp.
1 Tim. v. 21.) one to another, but by
showing equal affection to all that piously fear God. Let your children
be partakers of true Christian training; let them learn of how great
avail humility is with God—how much the spirit of pure affection
can prevail with Him—how excellent and great His fear is, and how
it saves all those who walk in (Some translate, “who turn to Him.”)
it with a pure mind. For He is a Searcher of the thoughts and
desires [of the heart]: His breath is in us; and when He pleases, He will
take it away."
Now the faith which is in Christ
confirms all these [admonitions]. For He Himself by the Holy Ghost thus
addresses us: “Come, ye children, hearken unto Me; I will teach you
the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth to
see good days? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking
guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes
of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are [open] unto their
prayers. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off
the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord
heard him, and delivered him out of all his troubles.” “Many are the stripes
[appointed for] the wicked; but mercy shall compass those about who hope
in the Lord.”
(Ps. xxxii. 10.)
These early Church fathers had to fight, and we also, heresy. What is heresy? It if first a religious opinion at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, the rejection of the true articles of Authentic Christian Faith that was taught by Jesus Christ, His disciples, and those who learned from those disciples the truth. Man has done much to become heretics by adding that which is not the Gospel.
Knowest thou not this of old,
since man was placed upon the earth,
that the triumphing of the wicked is short,
and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment.
Job 20:5
Jesus Christ came to redeem, that is Gospel
Richard L. Crumb
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