The Italian Memorandum

“You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

(Acts 2:28 ESV)

In our experience, the typical preaching emphasis of Acts 2 has been to use 2:28 to get to 2:38. Perhaps, it can be argued that the plan of salvation is so beautifully arranged in that one single verse of 2:38 that 2:28 is something of a stepping stone. However, we have found that Acts 2:28 holds real delight for those who have already been added to the church, according to Acts 2:41.

1. Acts 2:28 comes from Psalm 16, a Psalm of David. As such, Christians are reminded that Jesus is David’s ultimate Messianic subject (2:25). We are, therefore, a people of the Messiah: with a royalty behind us, and a majesty before us (2:30,37).

2. In Psalm 16:11, David speaks in the first person. The life of David was bound up in the coming of Messiah. Christians are people whose lives, also, are bonded to their Lord, inseparable with him—one with Christ, we say.

3. Acts 2:28 (because of the above observations) offers specific benefits:

a. Knowledge –         Cognitive (logos)
b. The paths of life – Moral (ethos)
c. Full of gladness –   Emotional (pathos)
d. Your presence –     Spiritual (theos)

– Robert M. Housby

(The following list has been adapted from the respected scholarship of G.R. Beasley-Murray, in his book, Baptism in the New Testament. “Baptism saves, not because water washes dirt from the body, but as the occasion when a man is met by the risen Christ” (pp. 264-265).

1. The forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
2. The cleansing from sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Cor. 6:11).
3. Union with Christ (Gal. 3:27).
4. Union in his death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:10-12).
5. Release from sins power and guilt (Romans 6:1-11, 17-18).
6. Participation in Christ’s Sonship (Gal. 3:26,27).
7. Consecration to God (1 Cor. 6:11).
8. Membership in the church, the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).
9. Possession of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
10. New life in the Spirit and regeneration (Jn. 3:5; Tit. 3:5).
11. Help to live according to the will of God (Rom. 6:6-7; 11-14).
12. The answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Pet. 3:21).

From time to time, we meet people who have been exposed to a denominational type of Christianity, who reject what the Bible says about baptism. They make up their own little creeds about baptism and recite the doctrines of men rather than what the Scriptures affirm about it. They contend that baptism is an outward expression of an inward grace, and so forth. But, as the above scripture references confirm, Calvinistic–saved at the altar type experiences–are but human substitutes for the Word of God—“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21).

Would you obey the command to be baptized and become a New Testament Christian today? The benefits are for those who are Scripturally baptized.

– Robert M. Housby

[The following points have been adapted/revised from Dr. Evertt W. Huffard (Vice President/Dean and Professor, Harding Graduate School Religion) 2006-2007 Catalog]

In his book Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Chambers observed that, “Courage of the highest order is demanded of spiritual leaders—always moral courage and frequently physical courage as well” (Page 86).

As our world continues to slide into self-serving relativism, as families lose their stability…the cry for courage to lead grows louder. As good men and women hesitate to lead at all levels because we are such terrible followers, the courage to lead continues…As leaders at all levels seem to lack the will or strength to do what is right…models of courageous leadership becomes more difficult to find. To be people of moral courage is Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 16:13 and 2 Timothy 1:7: “be men of courage” and “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”

1. The courage to lead starts within our own souls (Mark 10:43-44).
2. Leadership in the home requires courage (Deuteronomy6:7-9).
3. Leading a church takes more courage than managing one (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15).

One reason for the decline in churches is overmanagement and underleadership. Too many congregations lack members with courage to confront conflict or assume responsibility for fear of criticism.

Lead your family today as the leader that God knows you can be. Lead with moral courage.

– Robert M. Housby

“…they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one”

(Hebrews 11:16)

Growing up in northern Illinois, where fireworks were not legally sold, naturally I was overjoyed when my friend informed me that his family was traveling to Missouri and that he had plans to bring back boxes of fireworks. That summer was spent throwing firecrackers at passing cars from a concealed location across a canal, where the culprits could not be seen. The adrenaline flowed like soda that summer. Many years later (having repented of those deeds) and now living in Missouri, with Boomland so near, I could care less. Isn’t that the way it is with immaturity? We think that we know what we want out of life, and then when it comes our way we have lost interest. Still, the “precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1) is persistently and consistently precious. It does not wane with the years; sag with the tears; or feign with the rain. The Christian faith has a hope that begins in this life and reaches into the next.

Some Christian groups (individuals), in order to pursue their immature need for the pops and cracks of adolescence, must worship with the innovations of musical bands; religious garments; incense; statues of saints; holy water; ad infinitum. But, we did not so learn Christ (see Eph. 4:20). These sensual aspects of church worship are a better reflection of pagan culture, than the Acts of the Apostles (Eph. 4:17-24).

That happy place is neither Missouri nor Boomland, but heaven (Colossians 1:5). May your hope bring you to worship God daily, in the specific splendor of the simplicity which is in Christ (2 Cor. 11:3,4).

– Robert M. Housby

“…they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”

(2 Peter 1:8)

What is meant by Christian development? 2 Peter 1:8 suggests that Christian development may be (and should be) measured along the lines of being effective and fruitful. To lack the qualities that result in this development is a critical problem (see 2 Peter 1:8-11).

1. Christian development means, first, becoming a Christian (2 Peter 1:1,2).
2. Christian development involves aspiring to the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3,4).
3. Christian development necessitates pursuing certain qualities (2 Peter 1:5-15).

a. Faith – virtue (1:5)
b. virtue – knowledge (1:5b)
c. knowledge – self-control (1:6)
d. self-control – steadfastness (1:6b)
e. steadfastness – godliness (1:6c)
f. godliness – brotherly affection (1:7)
g. brotherly affection – love (1:7b)

The apostle’s list of qualities activates an effective and fruitful lifestyle (2 Peter 3:18). The word produces our thinking; our thinking produces our emotions; our emotions produce our decisions; our decisions produce our actions; our actions produce our habits; our habits produce our character; and, our character produces our destiny. Life in the overflow.

– Robert M. Housby

“…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

“Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

(Amos 4:12)

Now the bright morning star, Day’s harbinger,
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.
Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
Mirth and youth and warm desire,
Woods and groves are of thy dressing
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

(John Milton, On May Morning, 1629-30?)

Milton expressed of the month of May, “And [we] welcome thee and wish thee long.” Have you ever felt that way about something that you wished would never end?

But, isn’t it true that blessings can sometimes turn into complacency about the Lord and His church (see Amos 3:1,2)? “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1). So, Amos 4:12, “Prepare to meet your God,” is ultimately about the inevitable (see Eccl. 12:5,7,14). Yes, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).

So, on this May morning, “Seek the Lord and live” (Amos 5:6)!

-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