The Italian Memorandum

“…the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”

(2 Timothy 3:15)

We believe that the Bible has an overarching message. While certainly kingdom is a major doctrine, along with covenant; promise; and salvation, perhaps it is the coming of Messiah which holds all of these together (John 5:39; Luke 24:44-47). The Messiah is Hebrew for “the Christ” (John 1:41). To make the message yours’, several biblical concepts become important.

Torah – The essential ideas behind torah are: teaching, law and direction. Torah, while often identified with the first five books, involves more than a quantity of scrolls, however. Guidance seems dominant.

Mitzvah – This Hebrew term is translated along the lines of commandment. We recognize the Jewish ceremony of Bar-Mitzvah, when a male becomes a son of the commandment in Judaism (Bat-Mitzvah for girls).

Torah and mitzvah enable the sons of God to live for Him—guided specifically by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14). Jesus, himself, seems to be using these two Jewish concepts in his final plea for his disciples in Matthew 28:20—“ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Make the message yours’ today. His presence is conditioned upon these two directives.

-Robert M. Housby

“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”

(James 2:24)

Neil Postman, in his book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, uses the expression—“Low Information to Action Ratio,” to denote questionable Christian commitment. In other words, L.I.A.R. occurs when our knowledge of Christianity is greater than our follow-through.

James puts this in perspective in James 2:14-26. Notice how James arranges his theological material into 5 questions:

2:14 “What good is it…?”

2:14 b “Can that faith save…?”

2:15-16 “What good is that [failure to respond to needs]…?”

2:20 “Do you want to be shown…that faith apart from works is useless?”

2:21 “Was not Abraham… justified by works?”

Abraham and James have played their part on the stage of the drama of the most holy faith. Now, it’s your chance. If not now, when?

-Robert M. Housby

“You will be enriched in every way…”

(2 Corinthians 9:11)

Someone has said, If your joy is waning, you’re not sharing your faith. In Philemon 6, Paul urges Philemon to live what he believes—“…and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective…” If Paul, the prisoner of the State, because of Christ, could speak of joy and rejoicing from a first-century prison cell, how is it that we, who are free and materially blessed, have trouble locating joy?

Three biblical directives to enrich your life:

1. Enrichment comes by being invested in other people’s lives (2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Philemon 6,7)

2. Enrichment comes to those who can see beyond themselves and live in grace (2 Corinthians 9:8,14).

3. Enrichment comes through the gift of God, through Christ, and your confessional living of this gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 9:13-15).

Isn’t it time for you to experience the joy of Christ? “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

– Robert M. Housby

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD”

(Psalm 100:1; compare Psalm 150)

“…but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart…”

(Ephesians 5:18-19)

The Old Testament placed emphasis on instrumental music in certain instances. The classic example of this is 1 Samuel 16:14-23, where King Saul would call for David’s lyre to soothe him from a recurrent evil spirit (depression?). The nature of the Old Testament, itself, was but a shadow of the better covenant to come under Christ (as predicted by Jeremiah, 31:31-34; Hebrews 9:1; 10:1; especially see 9:11).

But, New Testament worship would be different, as prophesied, and as implemented, under the doctrine of the apostles (Acts 2:42). In this regard, we may see a shift away from mere carnal sacrifices and offering to more spiritually based worship. For example, instead of incense—prayers; instead of animals—Jesus; instead of mechanical instruments—the heart (see Ephesians 5:19).

The kind of music that God desires today, that is, what he has ordered for church worship, is specified by Paul—“I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also” (1 Cor. 12:15).

– Robert M. Housby

“…repent and believe in the gospel”

(Mark 1:15)

John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4). The apostle Paul explained John’s ministry in Acts 19:4—“And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus”. In Mark 1:15, Jesus equates the nearness of the kingdom of God with the gospel, and then urges that men “…repent and believe in the gospel.” Notice, here, that repentance and belief stand together.

We may ask, what is repentance? Whatever it is, John and Jesus made it a requirement. If it is a requirement, and it certainly is (see Luke 13:1-5), how may we better understand and appreciate repentance for what it is?

1. It assumes that men have the capacity and ability to repent. This appears to stem from the continuity of Genesis 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6)—where man is declared to be made in the likeness of God. The Bible suggests that God has, himself, at various intervals of sacred history repented (see Genesis 6:6; 1 Samuel 15:35). Although, it must be remembered that a change of mind (or, reversal of a former decision) does not negate God’s unchangeable nature (see Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Malachi 3:6). Some modern philosophies of determinism do not accept the above proposition that man can repent. Rather, many today are being told that they are not responsible and therefore repentance is not necessary: Environmental Determinism; Genetic Determinism; Theological Determinism.
2. Repentance is more than sorrow and religious ritualism (2 Cor. 7:10; Matthew 3:1-12).
3. Repentance produces fruit (Matthew 3:8).
4. Repentance is rewarded in this life and the life to come (Acts 3:19-20).

-Robert M. Housby

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

(Matthew 7:19, 20)

New Testament Christians have definite characteristics. One such characteristic is that of doing the will of God the Father (Matthew 7:21). This important arrangement of wanting to please our heavenly Father raises a question about expectations. Are we being challenged enough, or possibly too much (Acts 15:24, 28)? Too much emphasis on expectations (works righteousness) becomes a legalistic perversion of the gospel of grace (Galatians 5:4). And, too little an emphasis on personal challenge tends to degenerate into a license to evade the will of God (see Revelation 2:19, etc.).

Do a personal inventory (1 Corinthians 13:5). Check up on yourself. Are you being challenged enough? Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)? Are you bearing fruit? Jesus said, “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love” (John 15:8-9). Realize that our response to God is “…faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).

If, after testing yourself, you decide that you are not being challenged enough—talk to one of our ministers. Let them know that you need to be challenged more toward personal development. Get involved in the service of God. Listen; Learn; Lend; Lead; and Love—for today is your chance.

– Robert M. Housby

“…but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”

(Luke 12:56)

In the story, “The Well of the Star,” by Elizabeth Goudge (Farmington, PA: The Plough Publishing House, 1996), we meet David, a young, ragamuffin shepherd boy whose father is ill. David’s mother is desperate as her entire family is plunged into wanton physical needs. It is recalled that a fabled well offers hope to those whose hearts are pure enough before God who is able to answer the prayers of the needy. The story goes on to suggest that David encounters three kings at the well. These royal travelers had temporarily lost sight of a star which they were following. After it is found again, David goes with them to a stable in Bethlehem. Taken by the moment, he gives his only possession to the baby boy—his treasured shepherd’s pipe. The way home was long, for he had not served the purpose for which he left. Reluctant to return to the family hut helpless, he falls at the well, broken and empty-handed.

“The utter deadness of the hour before dawn weighed on him. Like a pall and the cold of it numbed him from head to foot. He felt himself sinking lower and lower, dropping down to the bottom of some black sea of misery”

While we realize the revisionist nature of Goudge’s novel, based loosely upon the biblical narrative, are there not times in our own lives when we question the worth of our time spent in the kingdom of God? Church work at times brings heartaches and headaches. But, the kingdom of God is its own reward. A spiritual depth that quitters never know. To serve in the kingdom of God will mean sacrifice, brokenness, and selflessness. But, the godly among us will not give up. Time in the kingdom is its own reward. “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Will God widen his kingdom through you, with you, and in you?

– Robert M. Housby

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father sent me, even so I am sending you.”

(John 20:21)

“…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known…”

(Ephesians 3:10)

Comeback churches and breakout churches are not satisfied with merely doing church for an hour or two a week. Do you as a member of the church see yourself as a missionary? It is easy to be missions minded (in theory), but not missional (in practice) in one’s own hometown. It is easier to send others than to realize that God wants to prepare you for greater service in the kingdom. Consider the following theological points:

A. God is a Missionary God – The Lord is a sending God.

1. He sent Noah on a mission into the new world (Gen. 8:15-19).
2. He sent Moses and Aaron (Ex. 3:9,10, 14,15; 1 Sam. 12:8).
3. He sent the prophets (Jer. 25:4).
4. He sent John the Baptist (John 1:6).
5. He sent Jesus (John 17:3, 18-25; 20:21).

B. The Church is Meant to Be a Missionary Body (Ephesians 3:10)—

A people sent to serve in the name of her Lord Jesus (Gal. 6:7,8; Matt. 25:35ff.).

To reach more for Christ should be your prayer. Do you agree?

– Robert M. Housby

“Those whose god is religion will not have God in their religion”

– Erskine

“…having a form of godliness, but denying its power”

(2 Timothy 3:5, NKJV)

The English Standard Version translates 2 Timothy 3:5—“…having the appearance of godliness.” Things are not always as they appear. Paul condemns this kind of Christianity. It seems that some are quite religious in the sense of having the ritual down pat, but, in actuality, there is something very wrong. The relationship aspect is missing.

Today, it is of vital necessity that we worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23,24). Going to assembly should be a habit of the heart (Hebrews 10:23-25). Hearing the gospel preached; praying to the Father; eating the Lord’s Supper—these are all examples of having vital communion with God. While they do contain ritual, in the sense that they are repeatable, they also afford precious moments of relationship with the Lord. Form of worship is important (2 Tim. 1:13; Rom. 6:17; etc), but, so is function. Hebrews 8:10 reads: “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

One’s heart should not be made of stone (see Ezek. 11:19). Religious format and religious relationship are both valid Scripturally. May your religious habits (ritual) always be conjoined in heart (relationship).

– Robert M. Housby

“…the church which is his body”

(Ephesians 1:22-23)

A common mistake being made by many in the world today is the notion that no one church is any better than any other church. The yellow pages are full of Christian type organizations, usually represented as this church or that church. However, the Lord is not bound by any American marketing found in the yellow pages. And, the Lord certainly never intended for the pluralistic nonsense out there that is being touted under the banner of non-judgmental inter-faith/inter-denominationalism (Matt. 16:18).

If your church is in the Bible, it will bear the credentials of being the church that Jesus built; if not, it simply won’t. These credentials include:

1. A Scriptural approach toward establishing what is “truth” (John 17:17).
2. A Scriptural name which honors Christ as its only head (Eph. 1:22,23).
3. A Scriptural unity based upon the word of the original apostles’ (John 17:20).
4. A Scriptural church organization (Eph. 4:4-16).
5. A Scriptural plan of salvation that speaks where the Bible speaks and is silent where the Bible is silent (Acts 2:38-47).

If your church is so represented in the Scriptures, then by all means and at all times, commit yourself to this church. Don’t make excuses, don’t shirk responsibility; don’t dilly-dally, shilly-shally, or commit willy-nilly. Give the Lord your best—do what’s right, right now (1 Corinthians 15:58).

– Robert M. Housby