IS THIS A NEW BEGINNING?
By Harold Steinbron
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-4
According to most of the commentaries now available on the book of Acts, something new and revolutionary be gan on the Day of Pentecost. Other writers draw a line at Matthew 1:1 and say the so-called New Testament marks the beginning of a new something in God's program. They seem to forget that events in the four Gospels and Acts are clearly predicted in the so-called Old Testament and are all in fulfillment of promises made to David in the matter of a kingdom and a King, Js well as the fulfillment of prophecies by many of the prophets. When our Lord began His public ministry, He said He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He cured a leper and commanded him to go to the temple and offer the gift prescribed by Moses. Jerualem remains to this day the center of Jewish religion and is still that in the book of Revelation.
Wouldn't it be more accurate to say the four Gospels complete the so-called Old Testament, and the Book of Acts records the start of that kingdom so long anticipated by God's People?
God was ready on the Day of Pentecost to bring in the kingdom; but His people said, "Nothing doing!" So, God set them and the kingdom in abeyance, raised up the one apostle- Paul--and with his name change we are told by the Holy Spirit that something new was beginning. Remember, Abram became Abraham, and Jacob became Israel? Let's let God, rather than men, tell us when something new is be-
ginning.
UNSCRIPTURAL OR UNDISPENSATIONAL
A Pastor friend of this writer has written the following: "There are professing Christians who religiously practice the washing offeet. Are they scriptural or unscriptural? There are some who anoint the sick with oil, while others use blessed handkerchiefs. Are they scriptural or unscriptural? StilI others tarry for the Holy Spirit after they have received Christ or salvation. Some professing Christians claim to have visitors and angelic visitations while hearing supernatural voices. Are they scriptural or unscriptural? Thousands of others break forth in some kind of speech which they call the gift of tongues. Is it scriptural or unscriptural to speak in tongues?"
TO WHICH WE ADD: Scriptures can be found to substantiate all of these actions. However, it seems to us that it is less than intellectual honesty, much less a spiritual practice, to arbitrarily select certain Bible commands for obedience while completely disregarding others. Why not obey the mandates in Numbers 15:32-36 and Deuteronomy 21:18-21 where infractions were to be punished by publicly stoning the offender to death? Why not build a tabernacle and offer sacrifices as God commanded in Exodus 25-31? Why not "sell that ye have and give alms" as Christ instructed in Luke 12:33? In short, why obey only certain Bible commands and ignore others? Why not obey them all?
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