The Italian Memorandum

“Hold the pattern of sound words”

(2 Timothy 1:13, ASV)

When it comes to religion, many operate along the lines of truth as: (1) what works, pragmatism (2) one’s individual opinion, existentialism (3) what is culturally normative, relativism (4) what is scientifically verifiable, positivism (5) any combination of the above four options, eclecticism. A sixth option (despite its being invalid by reason of its self-refuting claim) is, that there are no absolutely true claims available to finite minds, agnosticism. No wonder Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).

Into this world, then, of religious options, is the gospel; not any gospel being touted on the boulevard, but the original gospel, as written in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This gospel is not strictly pragmatic; existential; relativistic; positivistic; eclectic; nor pluralistic—but, rather, absolute and exclusive (Jude 3).

Walter Scott wrote in The Gospel Restored (1836, reprinted by College Press Publishing Co.: Joplin, MO, 1986, vi): regarding the restoration of the gospel “(1) The Bible was adopted as our sole authority (2) The apostolic order contained in that Bible was proposed as the method of restoration, and (3) The true gospel arising from these, then, became the message.” Wherever men may find themselves today, a return to the original gospel is always desirable. Have you made it your message?

-Robert M. Housby

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil”

(2 Corinthians 5:10)

Paul’s universal statement of judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10)follows upon a former statement made to the Corinthians in an earlier epistle: “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). Here it is declared that judgment will be a disclosure of personal motives.

We are aware of the fact that even some Christians are scared to death about dying. We are also cognizant that not a few ungodly and atheistic have no fear of death (irony of ironies). If your emphasis of preaching through the years has been about the human response to the gospel—What have you done?—and, has had imbalance regarding What God has done (grace), it should not be strange that a Christian might therefore have a fear of dying. As for those who refuse to name the name of Christ, they may not have a fear of dying—but neither do they have a hope of living. See, a cow will stand in the field chewing and not have a care in the world; but, that same cow has no comprehension of hope beyond the grave either. The atheistic confidence is only confidence when he/she lowers the bar to the animal kingdom. Puny ploy it is then to take this kind of reasoning and call it academic and brilliant.

It is a solemn thing to die and appear before God (2 Corinthians 5:11-15).

Robert M. Housby

“Do not be surprised brothers, that the world hates you”

(1 John 3:13)

1 John is a relatively small letter, with an uncompromising platform. One of the planks of John’s platform is to remain (Greek, meno) true to the Lord. This concept of remaining true is sometimes translated “abide” (as in the English Standard Version). 1 John 2:27,28 shows that John uses the term abide with the preposition “in” (Greek, en)—“abide in the Son and in the Father,” and “abide in him.” In other words, the action called for here is in relationship to God through Christ.

Remaining true is not only affirming the positive things of the Christian faith, it is reacting against the negatives:

1. “darkness” (1:6)
2. “the evil one” ( 2:13,14; 5:19)
3. “the devil” (3:7-10)
4. “the spirit of the antichrist” (4:3)

To remain true is to have understanding of the Lord’s ways; and to be in relationship with the Lord ; and, it is to be weary of idols (divided allegiance) – See 1 John 5:20-21.

– Robert M. Housby

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth , for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth”

(John 4:23-24)

Most would agree that it matters how one worships (John 4:23-24). Still, the guidelines for New Testament worship are being challenged today by many would-be followers of the Lord.

Five prominent and seductive areas in which Christian worship is being displaced today include:

1. Non-verifiable worship (“Now, where’s that in the NT?”)
2. Talent -based worship (“Who gets to go to the mic?”)
3. Entertainment based worship (mechanical; clapping; etc.)
4. Validation object (God or Man?)
5. Feedback (Effectiveness is marked by 2,3,4 above)

What is the scriptural source of authority for worship? If it is older than the NT, it is too old (Heb. 8:8-13). If it is newer than the New Testament, it is too modern (Heb.12:28-29). Authority derives from Jesus (Matt. 28:18). So, if worship is not “in Jesus name”—that is, by his authority, it cannot be legitimate (see Col. 3:17).

In contrast, NT worship is scripturally verifiable; privileged not talent based; heart based rather than hearer based; directed to God not man; and feedback comes from the Lord—his word-based will.

– Robert M. Housby

It is not only permissible for Christians in America to participate in the political process (according to the New Testament) it is redemptive and God glorifying.

1. Christian doctrine endorses subjection to the American political process (see Romans 13:1-7). Fortunately, in the American system a citizen of the country may have a voice and a vote. But this voice and vote are to be for “good” (not evil) and as “servants of God”(not servants against God) (see 1 Peter 2:13-17).
2. Christian examples of Paul and his associates models for all time approved apostolic examples of participation in the political process. See Acts 16:35-40 and 26:1,32 for evidence of this both on the local and the imperial level.

3. Christian purpose was, perhaps, never clearer than when Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Notice, here, that privatization of one’s faith is the very opposite of what the Lord meant.

Political issues are often moral issues. When Jesus said, “Judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24) he endorsed for all time that Christians should use their voice and their vote for good not evil. Yes, we are aware that some in America are citing “separation of church and state” as grounds for Christians to hush their mouths. The fact is, however, that Thomas Jefferson uttered those words, January 1, 1802, to reassure the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut of their continued and uninterrupted expression of Christian faith. Current attempts to infer that this is a constitutional matter have another agenda in mind.

Secular humanists are not only anti-Bible and anti-Christ, they are against the very Founders of our own Nation. Will you participate in the political process as a Christian?

-Robert M. Housby

Does Observance of the Lord’s Supper
Every Lord’s Day Diminish Its Design?

“Do this in remembrance of me”

(1 Corinthians 11:24)

We recently encountered a view of the Lord’s Supper which essentially tries to justify the denominational practice of observing the emblems less often than weekly. The rationale for this view goes something like this—To take the communion every week is to defeat its purpose as being a special observance.

The above view fails to appreciate the following scriptural information:

(1) The Lord, himself, designed this communion memorial and the apostles by inspiration transmitted these directives to the church (Acts 2:42). It is, therefore, not a matter open to the discretion of a board of deacons or church bishops to negate what is already in place (see 1 Cor. 11:23; 14:37; 4:17).

(2) The frequency of the Lord’s Supper must include the apostolic traditions which have been set forth in the New Testament, not traditions which were super-added hundreds of years later (see 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 4:1-2).

(3) The Lord’s Supper coincides with the Lord’s Day; that is a weekly participation (see Rev. 1:10; 1 Cor. 11:17,18,20; 16:1-2; Acts 20:7).

(4) The Acts 20:7 reference is even stronger in Greek than in English, though the English is quite adequate to convey the truth that the reason why they came together was to partake of the communion.

The idea of observing the Lord’s Supper annually; quarterly; or, bi-monthly is a departure from the New Testament. This kind of arbitrary reasoning challenges the Lord’s revelation on the subject. One might as well try to argue that praying done weekly diminishes from its being special; or that singing, scripture reading; or preaching detract from the Lord’s design. So, “pray without ceasing” and remember the Lord as often as you come together.

– Robert M. Housby

Sometimes people in the hard sciences such as physics have said daring and even spiritually applicable things. Such is the case in the following observation-quote from the great German physicist, Albert Einstein.

Not everything that counts can be counted,
and not everything that can be counted counts.

We think that Einstein was making a statement here, not only about materially quantifiable data (including star-light), but also about a sociology of valuing people above things. As Christians, we trace our religion back to the patriarch Abraham (Romans 4:16). And, the promise of Genesis 22:17 inevitably comes to mind—“I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven…” (see Hebrews 11:12).

The French mathematician Blaise Pascal also said something about the counting of the stars. In his Pensees, he wrote, On Man’s Disproportion to the Universe…
marvel at the fact that Earth is merely a tiny point compared to the stars which roll through the firmament. But if our gaze stops there…it will grow tired…For
finally, what is man in nature? He is nothing in comparison with the infinite, and everything in comparison with nothingness, a middle term between all and nothing…we are something, and we are not everything. Listen to Pascal’s breathtaking conclusion—“Man is but a reed, the most feeble thing in nature; but he is a thinking reed…the universe knows nothing of this.”

Yes, man is immensely disproportionate to the stars! But, man can comprehend the stars; the stars will never reciprocally ponder man! May we learn to count again—to learn; to live; to love—the things which truly matter (John 17:3).

– Robert M. Housby

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

(2 Timothy 2:5)

The Associated Press reports, “Jones surrenders five medals from 2000 Olympics. Her reputation is gone now so are Marion Jones’ Olympic medals. Jones gave back five medals she won at Sydney Olympics…further punishment for her admission that she was a drug cheat…She will be sentenced on Jan. 11, and prosecutors had suggested to Jones the prison term would be a maximum of six months” (Southeast Missourian, Oct. 9, 2007, B).

We were saddened to learn of Marion Jones’ recent admission that she had used illegal steroids prior to the Sydney Olympics. We want to think the best of our heroes. Unfortunately, even the best among us take a fall. Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 2:5 appears as relevant as this week’s newspaper, despite a time lapse of several thousand years.

1. 2 Timothy 2:5 teaches that rules count.

2. 2 Timothy 2:5 teaches also that competing is necessary for a reward.

3. And, taken together, if there is going to be a crown received, then the competing must be according to the rules.

Marion Jones is not unique in her transgression (Rom. 3:23). But, when it comes to receiving the crown of the Christian reward, we want to be aware of the possibility of disqualification (2 Tim. 3:8). So, “let us run with endurance..”

-Robert M. Housby

“For we are the real circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God”

(Philippians 3:3)

Due to the vast amount of published bologna in the field of devotional literature about the Holy Spirit, not to mention all of the popular pastoral pulpit theatrics, we submit the following fundamentals to guide our thinking about the Holy Spirit.

1. The Holy Spirit is not a silent partner in the Godhead today (see Heb. 3:7; 4:12; 10:15,29 Eph. 6:17).

2. Neither emotionalism nor religious experiences are positive proofs of the Spirit’s presence (Matt. 7:21-23; Col. 2:18-19; 1 Ki. 18).

3. Speaking in tongues ( + miraculous) was a temporary and non-normative feature of the early church (Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:29-31).

4. Evidence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life should reflect the New Testament pattern of Acts 2:38-39; 5:32 (initially at conversion) and Galatians 5:16-25 (subsequent to conversion).

Anymore, the Holy Spirit has come to mean practically everything or virtually nothing. When the New Testament documents are superseded by the subjective experiences of men, the will of the Lord via the word of the Lord is certainly marginalized (1 John 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3).

– Robert M. Housby

“…I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourselves in the
house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of
the truth”

(1 Timothy 3:15)

Some popular slogans about church (2007)

“It doesn’t matter what church you attend—just as long as you attend some church.”

“Church isn’t the important thing;
having a relationship with the Lord is the important thing.”

“We’re non-denominational! [unity for unity’s sake]”

The New Testament Church –

A. Has the right builder (Matt. 16:18)
B. Was established at the right time (Dan. 2:44; Mic. 4:2; Acts 2:16)
C. Was established in the right place (Isa. 2:2-3; Acts 2:5)
D. Has the right standard of authority (2 Tim. 3;16-17; Acts 20:32)
E. Has the right organizational structure (Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:5)
F. Has the right plan of salvation (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
G. And, has the right worship and service (Jn. 4:24; Matt. 15:9; Heb. 12:28)

Next time that someone tries to tell you that the church doesn’t matter, ask them why they prefer the wrong—founder; time; place; standard; organization; plan; and worship. Of course, maybe these relativistic followers know something that the Lord does not know. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

-Robert M. Housby