The Italian Memorandum

“An athlete is not crowned
unless he competes according to the rules”

(2 Timothy 2:5)

Paul’s style of speaking and writing often reflected familiar things of the Greek world. One such area, in which Paul alluded on numerous occasions were the Greek games (1 Corinthians 9:24,25; 2 Timothy 2:5; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7). To Paul, these games served to illustrate discipline, rules, personal integrity, and joyous victory. Paul tried to communicate the gospel in terms of this very Greek mentality (1 Corinthians 9:22).
Although the Olympic games are usually associated with Athens, Greece, or the Corinthian Isthmian games, there was a gaming atmosphere fostered even in Palestine by Herod the Great. In a city of Samaria, Sebaste (Acts 6:5), Herod built a stadium out of personal devotion to the Greek games. The New Testament scholar, Merrill F. Unger states that: “Herod supported the Olympic games, and even offered rewards for the 192 Olympiad” (Archaeology and the New Testament, p. 150).
The popular Greek historian, Edith Hamilton, and others, have observed, “The Greeks played, but the Romans watched.” Perhaps, it is this spectator mood versus the participation mode that James had in mind when he wrote: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life…” (James 1:12).
The crown of the games was a simple garland of olive leaves, or pine needles. The crown (stephanos) of Christians is an imperishable wreath from the thorny brow of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:4). Herod did not compete by the rules; while the Romans merely watched. Watch the Summer Games of Athens. But, participate in the eternal gospel of heaven.

— Robert M. Housby

“For by it the people of old received their commendation.”

(Hebrews 11:2)

Years ago, while studying on the campus of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, I was walking down a hallowed hallway. There, on either side of the corridor, I was flanked by large portraits of past students who went on to become accomplished experts in their respective fields. There were hundreds of them. It was about this same time that I had been talking with an individual about what makes a school outstanding. I was expressing that it was the teachers who determined whether an academic institution would be great. To my surprise, my friend began shaking his head to the contrary. He said that it was not the teachers that made the institution great. I said, “Well, what is it then?” He replied, “the students.”
Whether commendation, then, is seen as coming through teachers’ techniques, or through students’ accomplishments, we cannot doubt but that both have a role to play. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Competence, biblically, comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5,6). And, finding our human completeness is a search that will lead us to the Christ (Colossians 2:10; Philippians 3:9).
There is a story of a village beggar reputed to have little mental capacity. Whenever he was offered a choice between a nickel and a dime he always chose the nickel. After this had gone on for some time, a chap pulled him aside and explained that a dime is worth twice as much as a nickel, and that he should always choose the dime. “Oh, I know the dime is worth more,” the beggar replied. “But if I ever chose the dime, people would stop offering.” (Wood’s Modern Handbook, p. 517). It seems that the beggar had his own hallowed hall of expertise. And what might yours’ be? If it is not a commendation through the competence which God gives; if it is not a completeness through the life and work which Christ gives— it is not a commendation of faith (Hebrews 11:2,3).

The teacher will teach when the student is ready.

–Robert M. Housby

“For by it the people of old received their commendation.”

(Hebrews 11:2)

Years ago, while studying on the campus of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, I was walking down a hallowed hallway. There, on either side of the corridor, I was flanked by large portraits of past students who went on to become accomplished experts in their respective fields. There were hundreds of them. It was about this same time that I had been talking with an individual about what makes a school outstanding. I was expressing that it was the teachers who determined whether an academic institution would be great. To my surprise, my friend began shaking his head to the contrary. He said that it was not the teachers that made the institution great. I said, “Well, what is it then?” He replied, “the students.”

Whether commendation, then, is seen as coming through teachers’ techniques, or through students’ accomplishments, we cannot doubt but that both have a role to play. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is
fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Competence, biblically, comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5,6). And, finding our human completeness is a search that will lead us to the Christ (Colossians 2:10; Philippians 3:9).

There is a story of a village beggar reputed to have little mental capacity. Whenever he was offered a choice between a nickel and a dime he always chosethe nickel. After this had gone on for some time, a chap pulled him aside and explained that a dime is worth twice as much as a nickel, and that he should always choose the dime. “Oh, I know the dime is worth more,” the beggar replied. “But if I ever chose the dime, people would stop offering.” (Wood’s Modern Handbook, p. 517). It seems that the beggar had his own hallowed hall of expertise. And what might yours’ be? If it is not a commendation through the
competence which God gives; if it is not a completeness through the life and work which Christ gives— it is not a commendation of faith (Hebrews 11:2,3).

The teacher will teach when the student is ready.

–Robert M. Housby

(Jeremiah 49:36; Ezekiel 37:9; Daniel 7:2; 8:8; 11:4;
Zechariah 2:6; 6:4,5; Mark 13:27; Revelation 7:1)

“Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these my lord? And the angel answered and
said unto me, These are the four winds of heaven, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.”

(Zechariah 6:4,5)

Sometimes the people of God need a reminder that their work really matters. The apostle Paul said, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The Bible communicates that God, himself, is very interested in what happens on earth. One such figure of speech expressing God’s interest and participation in what happens on earth is, “the four winds of heaven”. This is a universal expression of cosmological vastness.

“Wind” is from the biblical word, ruach. The wind is a creation of God (Amos 4:13). The Spirit of God uses physical breath and wind to fulfill his great purposes for mankind (Genesis 1:2; 2:7; Ezekiel 37:5,6, 14).
1. The north wind (ruach tsawphon) – is associated with cold conditions (Job 37:9)
2. The south wind (ruach darom) – is often destructive, sultry and withering (James 1:11; Job 37:9)
3. The east wind (ruach qadim) – is portrayed as strong, gusty and scorching (Jeremiah 18:17; Hosea 13:15).
4. The west wind (ruach yam) – associated with storm and rain (1 Ki. 18:44,45).

The churches of Christ are involved in a universal mission (Eph. 3:10,11). This universal sense may be seen in Acts 2:2,5,6,17. Although difficult to conceive (John 3:9), Jesus is reassuring about this kingdom (John 3:8). May the four
winds of heaven, which loom large in Scripture and in Space, find their place in us as well. The church must see herself as involved in the awesome and universal power of God

–Robert M. Housby

“And Peter said to them, Repent, and let each of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”

(Acts 2:38, NAS)

The following excerpt is taken from brother Walter Scott’s periodical, The Evangelist (Vol. VIII. Cincinnati, Ohio, December 1, 1840. No. 12) reprinted by College Press. We are including it in this week’s bulletin to assist in the teaching of persons currently under the influence of Calvinism, Baptist, or other denominational error regarding the role of Christian baptism. The article is impressive because it is written a learned Baptist scholar, Dr. John Gale:

“… .I would note to you that one use, and end, and design of baptism, was for the remission of sins; of this we are assured in the express words of scripture. Thus in 1 Corinthians 6:11, after the apostle has enumerated a great many abominable sins and vices, which exclude the unrighteous from the kingdom of God, he adds, “and such were some of you; but ye are washed, i.e. in your baptism you are purified and cleansed from all guilt and pollution of these sins… .Thus saint Peter says to those being pricked in their hearts, and convinced by his preaching, inquired what they must do, Acts 2:37,38… .And so again, chap. xxii.16, baptism is said to wash away sins… The scriptures shew us, that Christ instituted baptism for the remission of sins” (Sermons of John Gale, London, 1724)

We prefer, “a thus saith the Lord,” or a word from an apostle. However, there are many in the world, who, because of their allegiance to their particular denomination, will hear only one of their own speak, we offer the words of Dr. Gale. May all come to accept the words of scripture without human amendment (Rev. 22:18,19).

– Robert M. Housby

“And Peter said to them, Repent, and let each of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”

(Acts 2:38, NAS)

The following excerpt is taken from brother Walter Scott’s periodical, TheEvangelist (Vol. VIII.Cincinnati, Ohio, December 1, 1840. No. 12) reprinted by College Press. We are including it in this week’s bulletin to assist in the teaching of persons currently under the influence of Calvinism, Baptist, or other denominational error regarding the role of Christian baptism. The article is impressive because it is written a learned Baptist scholar, Dr. John Gale:

“…I would note to you that one use, and end, and design of baptism, was for the remission of sins; of this we are assured in the express words of scripture. Thus in 1 Corinthians 6:11, after the apostle has enumerated a great many abominable sins and vices, which exclude the unrighteous from the kingdom of God, he adds, “and such were some of you; but ye are washed, i.e. in your baptism you are purified and cleansed from all guilt and pollution of these sins… .Thus saint Peter says to those being pricked in their hearts, and convinced by his preaching, inquired what they must do, Acts 2:37,38… And so again, chap. xxii.16, baptism is said to wash away sins… The scriptures shew us, that Christ instituted baptism for the remission of sins”

(Sermons of John Gale, London, 1724)

We prefer, “a thus saith the Lord,” or a word from an apostle. However, there are many in the world, who, because of their allegiance to their particular denomination, will hear only one of their own speak, we offer the words of Dr. Gale.

May all come to accept the words of scripture without human amendment (Rev. 22:18,19).

– Robert M. Housby

(In conjunction with our October series on Hebrews, we would quote the final words from the Hebrew Letter which remind us of God’s extended grace)

“God’s grace be with you all!”

(Hebrews 13:25)

The following is a true story that occurred during my son’s first-grade experience. One of the children in the class came from a poor home situation. His clothes were not like the other children’s and his unkept appearance did not lend itself toward a positive self-image. Perhaps this was his mother’s motivation to throw a birthday party for him. So, one day this young man began passing out his birthday invitations. The day for the party finally arrived. However, this raggedly dressed boy with untamed hair would not see most of his classmates. In fact, he saw only one. Yes, only one other came to the party. I can almost see him waiting for the cars to pull up, though they never came. The one who did come, though, brought a gift. That unpopular youngster needed God’s grace that day. The Hebrew writer would end his letter with a reminder of the grace of God. Not only has he showed up, he comes bearing a gift; and he says: “I will never leave you or desert you” (Hebrews 13:6).

–Robert M. Housby