The Italian Memorandum

“…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”

(Isaiah 1:18)

The color red is the color of sin (Isaiah 1:18). It has the longest light rays, and is usually associated with warning, even in the modern world of our own 21st century. Stop signs are red. Bio-hazardous materials are coded red, as well as other human threats.

1. The word red in Hebrew is derived from the root, dam, signifying blood
(Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, 708).

2. The Old Testament tabernacle was covered with dyed animal skins
(Exodus 25:5).

3. The Bible speaks of the redness of one’s eyes as compared to wine: “his eyes are darker than wine” (Genesis 49:12).

4. Certain astronomical phenomena are depicted in terms of blood red
(Joel 2:31; Revelation 6:12).

5. Water is described in 2 Kings 3:22,23 as being red as blood.

6. The red-heifer of Numbers 19 has tremendous theological symbolism
(Hebrews 9:13,14).

7. Messiah himself (Christ Jesus, Jn. 1:41) is ultimately clad in red
(Revelation 5:6,9; John 19:34).

The greatest threat of all is sin; bloody-red, deadly sin. But, the greatest redemptive feat of the universe is God’s substitutionary atonement through Christ Jesus, the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:21; Jn. 3:16; Isaiah 1:18)!

-Robert M. Housby

“Blow a trumpet in Zion: sound an alarm on my holy mountain!”

(Joel 2:1)

NEW 2005 SUNDAY NIGHT SERIES!

EXPOSING MAJOR FALSE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES:

BY EXALTING THE WORD OF GOD OVER HUMAN CREEDS

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“WHY IS THIS SERIES NEEDED TODAY?”

1. False teachers and false doctrines are in the world today
(Matt. 7:15; 24:11; 2 Cor. 11:12-15, 26; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 4:1).

2. God’s people are to hate “every false way” that so-called religious leaders are advocating (Ps. 119:104, 128; Jer. 23:16, 28, 33-36).

3. The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth”
(1 Tim. 3:15).

To assume that, “One religion is as good as any other,” or that, “One church is as good as any other,” is to buy into religious pluralism (see Col. 1:23). Neither the gospel, nor the church, is doctrinally pluralistic (Gal. 1:6-9; Eph. 4:4-6).

– Robert M. Housby

“…according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us…”

(Ephesians 1:7,8)

The church sign read: “THOSE WHO FEAR HIM LACK NOTHING.” It is an exact quotation from Psalm 34:9 (NEB). The longer we view this quote the more curious it becomes. We are certain that “the riches,” of which the New Testament speaks, deserves clarification.

Professor of literature at the University of Warsaw, Jan Kott, said of wealth—“In the Middle Ages the clearest image of wealth was a bag full of golden pieces. Each of them could be weighed in hand. For many centuries wealth meant fields, meadows and woods, flocks of sheep, a castle and villages. Later a ship loaded with pepper, or cloves, or big granaries filled with sacks of wheat, cellars full of wines, stores along the Thames emitting a sour smell of leather and the choking dust of cotton. Riches could be seen, handled and smelt. It was only later that they dematerialized, became a symbol, something abstract. Wealth ceased to be a concrete thing and became a slip of paper with writing on it” (Shakespeare Our Contemporary, Doubleday & Company: garden City, New York, 1964) 5,6. Today, we know that wealth is represented on computers as mere numbers, but numbers nevertheless. So, if riches can be represented without concrete equivalence, why not realize that although the Christian faith is not about material acquisitions, they are still valuable spiritual possessions.

1. Theological “riches” (ploutos) are conditional (Romans 10:12).
2. Theological “riches” (ploutos) are ironical (Proverbs 13:7).
3. Theological “riches” (ploutos) are present and futuristic (Ephesians 1:7,8; 2:7).
4. Theological “riches” (ploutos) are practical and glorious (Ephesians 3:16).

The time has come to realize what we have.

-Robert M. Housby

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s

feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me. But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

(Luke 10:38-42)

The story of Mary and Martha offers many valuable insights. We use the term insight because an insight, in addition to being discernment, also means introspection. In other words, this story allows us to see ourselves. Consider some interesting observations about this event:

1. It was Martha, not Mary, who initiated the visit (Lk. 10:38).
2. Mary, by sitting at the Lord’s feet, chose close proximity (Lk. 10:39).
3. Martha makes two pointed statements, not one (Lk. 10:40).
4. Although, Martha is concerned about Mary’s behavior, a closer look reveals that she directs both of her statements to Jesus: “…do you not care…?” and “Tell her…” (question and command) (Lk. 10:40).
5. The doublet, “Martha, Martha” shows Jesus’ tender concern (Lk. 10:41).
6. Since this is a comparative study, “Mary has chosen…” infers that Martha has also chosen (Lk. 10:42).
7. Is Jesus’ last comment, “which will not be taken away from her,” in force today through Bible-Study?

Won’t you sit at the Master’s feet today, and learn while you may?

-Robert M. Housby

“…This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way as you have seen him go into heaven.”

(Acts 1:11)

The Second Coming of Jesus is meant in Acts 1:9-11. The late J. W. Roberts, a recognized Greek scholar within the churches of Christ, said of Acts 1:10,11— “This declaration that the Lord will return is a basic tenet of the Gospel proclamation (Acts 3:21; 17:31; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 1:10) (Acts of Apostles, Part 1: Austin, TX: Sweet Publishing, 1967), 15. The respected 19th century scholar, J.W. McGarvey, wrote concerning this passage: “It is a positive announcement of a literal and visible second coming” (Original Commentary On Acts of Apostles. 7th ed. Nashville, Tenn, Gospel Advocate Co 1978), 19.

Unlike many other religions, Christianity is based upon a linear approach to history. That is, we believe that the world had a beginning and shall have an ending (Genesis 1:1; Acts 1:11). We do not believe in superstition, nor circular world-views, such as are found in the Eastern religions (re-incarnation, etc). Furthermore, the second coming of Christ teaches world judgment (Acts 17:31). But, both, the Second Coming of Christ and the judgment of mankind are currently being challenged: Namely, “Thou shalt not be certain about the truth of any one religion; and, Thou shalt not be morally conservative. Sin is often viewed as nothing more than a neurosis caused by socio-economic and psychological factors. And so, some say, the hope of salvation is available only through counseling, psychiatry, and education. Christians know better (Prov. 1:7). May the Second Coming serve to heighten our awareness of his expectations for us.

We await his return (2 Pet. 3:4; Heb. 9:28).

-Robert M. Housby