The Importance of Genesis
By Steven J. Wallace

The book of Genesis is foundational for our learning. Genesis means “beginning,” and it teaches us about the origin of important things. This is important because the meaning of anything is tied to its origin.

In this book we find the origin of the seven-day week. Man has tried in vain to interpret the days of Genesis 1 as long ages by proposing that each day represents millions of years or that there is a supposed gap of millions of years between the first two verses. He has created many compromising conjectures to contort the Genesis record into long ages, something it will never affirm. These attempts are fallacious for many reasons. For example, each day must be literal because it consists of “the evening and the morning.” If the day represents millions of years, then the evening and the day must also be millions of years of darkness and daylight! That Jesus places Adam and Eve’s origin at the “beginning of the creation” destroys all long-age conjectures (Mark 10:6). That it is certain this “male and female” were in fact “Adam and Eve” is due to Jesus quoting Genesis 2:24 in Mark 10:7, 8 - which was God’s response to Adam’s own words in Genesis 2:23! It stands to reason that if each day consisted of millions of years and if Adam and Eve were created on day six, then they were created at the end of the timeline of world history and not the beginning. Long ages make a liar out of the Jesus, the Creator of all things! Further, if days mean “ages,” then how could the expression “for days and years” be understood (Gen. 1:14)? What sense is one supposed to make of years? We ought to also observe that the only pattern which our seven-day week is based off of is a literal creation week. Only from a literal understanding of Genesis 1 could the Jews identify and keep the Sabbath Day (Ex. 20:7-11). Other reasons could be stated, but these are sufficient to abandon any belief that makes the days of Genesis anything other than solar days.

In Genesis we also find the beginning of life, that it is a gift from God. We find the beginning of marriage, that it is between one man and one woman. We find the beginning of sin, that it is rebellion against God’s word. We learn that both good and evil exist in our world. We also find the way Satan tempts man, by leading him to lust after what is wrong and question God’s word and character. We see how sin affects our relationship to God, to our environment, and to each other. Genesis teaches the origin of clothing, that such was designed to cover nakedness due to the effects of sin. Genesis shows that man’s choice of clothing fails what God prescribes (Gen. 3:7). Despite the fact that Adam and Eve made coverings, they were still too ashamed to stand before God. We find the beginning of sacrifice in animal blood in skin coverings (Gen. 3:21). Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22). Therefore, sin is not only rebellious, but it is costly. Ultimately this price was to be paid by the Son of God dying on the cross for our sins (1 Tim. 2:5, 6). Have you applied the Lord’s sin covering for your sin (Gal. 3:26, 27)? Genesis - it is important! – Knollwood church of Christ Bulletin, December 2014. 

“If Anyone Suffer As A Baptist?”
By Steven F. Deaton

Is there anywhere in the Bible it says, “If anyone suffers as a Baptist, let him not be ashamed...?" No. Does it say, “The disciples were first called Methodists at Antioch?” Nope. Or, have you ever read where it says, “You almost persuade me to become a Pentecostal?” Never.

The Bible does say, “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed...” (1 Pet. 4:16). “The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch” (Acts 11:26). “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28).

The word of God also says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God...” (1 Pet. 4:11). When men call themselves by denominational names, they do not speak as the oracles of God; they speak by the authority of man, not heaven (cf. Matt. 21:23-27). Doing this causes one’s religion to be vain, worthless (Matt. 15:7-9). So, why do it?

Denominational names bring about division. Dropping these names would be a good first step in bringing about unity among those who believe in Jesus (Jn. 17:20-23). Instead of one saying, “I am a Baptist,” another, “I am a Methodist,” and “I am a Pentecostal,” each could say, “I am a Christian” (cf. 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:1-4).

Denominations, their names, organizations and peculiar teachings, are totally foreign to the New Testament of Jesus Christ. If men seek to please God, then why do they adopt that which is not found in God’s will, His word (Jn. 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10-13)? Ask your preacher why your church

uses a name not found in the Bible. Ask him why it is necessary to call yourselves Baptists or Methodists or Pentecostals. Ask him if it would be acceptable to give up all such names and simply be called Christians? If not, why not?

If you would like to study further on this or any other Bible subject, contact us. 

Numerologist Claims Rapture Near
By Joe R. Price

Another false prophet is about to be exposed (Deut. 18:21-22). David Meade, a so-called Christian numerologist, predicts April 23, 2018 as the beginning of the Rapture and the second coming of Christ. His twisted interpretation of Revelation 12:1-2 is laced with the fiction of astrology and the alignment of planets and stars (“Biblical prophecy claims the Rapture is coming April 23, numerologist says,” foxnews.com). Will they ever learn?!

The Rapture doctrine is not in the Bible. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is used by those who believe the righteous will be invisibly snatched up (raptured) before seven years of earthly tribulation, followed by Armageddon and the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth. However, this verse describes how Christians will meet the Lord “in the air” and “thus” (in this manner) “always be with the Lord.” The Rapture doctrine says those raptured will come back to earth with Christ. (That will be difficult, since the world will be burned up when Christ returns, 2 Peter 3:10-13.) Christians are not going to be raptured, only to return to the earth seven years later. The kingdom will be delivered up to God on that great day of His return (1 Cor. 15:23-24).

No one on earth knows when Jesus will return. That includes David Meade. That information is reserved for the Father in heaven. “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matt. 24:42).

We must always be prepared for Christ’s return, because it could happen at any moment. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins teaches this (Matt. 25:1-13). We are not in the darkness of ignorance about His return. Instead, we are prepared by being watchful and sober (1 Thess. 5:1-6).

Astrology and numerology are instruments of idolatry and faithlessness (Deut. 4:19). Star-gazers and prognosticators are powerless to instruct and to save (Isa. 47:13). God does not communicate to us through the stars, but by His Son, through the inspired Scriptures (Heb. 1:2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Hear Christ; not David Meade. – The Spirit’s Sword, April 15, 2018.