BOOK, CHAPTER AND VERSE PREACHING

Preachers among churches of Christ during most of my life have constantly emphasized "book, chapter and verse." If those preachers wanted men to know the plan of salvation or how Christians must live or what we must do in worship to God almighty or when the Lord will return to claim his own, they almost always furnished their audiences the Bible verses that taught those great truths. It is certainly true that some of them may have taken a text out of context, but for the most part, they diligently sought to teach only what the text taught. Because of that kind of preaching, many members of the body of Christ were better than average students of the word. Incidentally, I do not want to hear any other kind of preaching. It really bothers me to hear preachers say: "I am re-thinking or re-imagining or re-visioning the gospel message." I know a young preacher in Arkansas who was asked his views on marriage, divorce and remarriage." He responded: "I am re-thinking that." When he was asked about the use of mechanical instruments of music in Christian worship, he also said: "I am re-thinking that." Should he not have said: "Please listen to what Jesus and the apostles taught." Would it not have been more appropriate for him to have given book, chapter and verse for his beliefs? What we think is of no consequence unless our thinking is in harmony with the word of God.

I seldom listen to Joel Osteen. Although he is a very articulate speaker and preaches for the largest congregation in the United States, he uses less scripture than anyone I have ever heard. In fact, his sermons seem to be based on the writings of popular psychologists rather than on the word of God. I occasionally listen to Wayne Dyer, a very popular television speaker. I have never heard him use any scripture, but he uses almost as many as Joel Osteen. A few months ago, I bought Joel Osteen's first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential (Nashville: Warner Faith, 2004). I have been blessed to have thousands and thousands of books in my study. I love reading and studying those books. But very few of those books are as useless as Joel Osteen's book. It is pure pablum. The famous human potential psychologist, Dr. Abraham Maslow, would be ashamed of a book so utterly weak. And yet it became a national bestseller-not because of any depth of reasoning-but because of Osteen's popularity on television. Joel Osteen has also bought into the so-called "health and wealth gospel (p. 32ff.).

Do you remember what James said about teachers, which would include preachers? "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation" (Jas. 3:1). The Greek word translated "masters" (didaskaloi) simply means teachers. James was not trying to discourage men from becoming teachers, but warning them of the enormous responsibilities of teaching. He says the teachers "shall receive the greater condemnation." Charles Williams renders the verse: "Many of you, my brothers, should avoid becoming teachers, because you know that we teachers are going to be judged with stricter judgment than other people." It really is an awesome task to preach or to teach. There is no doubt that God will hold us teachers to stricter standards than other people.

James provides the motivation for grounding our teaching in the word of God. He says, in effect, that teachers are going to be judged by stricter standards than others. Does that not give us good reasons for using book, chapter and verse for all we teach? I shall illustrate how that rule is violated in many popular preachers. John Hagee's latest book, In Defense of Israel (Lake Mary, FL: FrontLine, 2007), makes multiple assertions that have no basis in scripture. For example, he believes that May 1948-the day modem Israel became a nation-was "an unmistakable milestone on the prophetic timetable leading to the return of Christ." He said he could remember when a radio announcer spoke of "the new state of Israel." His father, a devout dispensationalist, said to his son: "Today is the most important day of the twentieth century" (pp. 10-11). Hagee appeals to the following verse to try to sustain his belief in the importance of May 1948. "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion has travailed, she brought forth her children" (Isa. 66:8). But there is not one word in this verse that relates to the formation of the nation of Israel in modem times. J. A. Alexander, a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary in the 1800s, wrote a very scholarly commentary on The Prophecies of Isaiah (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976, a Reprint). Alexander was one of the premier Hebrew scholars of his generation. Please listen to his comments on Isaiah 66:8. "This verse in the form of pointed interrogation, represents the event previously mentioned as without example. The terms of the sentence are exceedingly appropriate both to the return from Babylon and the future restoration of the Jews, but admit at the same time of a wider application to the change of economy, the birth of the church of the New Testament" (p. 466). The verse has absolutely nothing to do with the rebirth of the nation of Israel in May 1948.

It seems to me that Hagee seeks to find in the scriptures ideas that confirm his commitment to modem Israel. Hagee quotes these words from the prophet Malachi: "But unto you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings" (Mal. 4:2). Hagee says "the word 'wings' refers to the tassels on a tallit" (p. 37). A tallit is a "shawl with fringed corners traditionally worn over the head or shoulders by Jewish men during morning prayers." The Hebrew word means "wings" or "beams." If Hagee had consulted any reputable Hebrew scholar, he would not have made such a blunder.

A far more serious blunder in Hagee's book relates to the two covenants-the old covenant God made with Israel and the new covenant he established through Christ. Hagee asserts: "The covenants God makes with his people are everlasting, without end" (p. 54). Where are the book, chapter and verse that teach this view of God's covenants? I get the impression from reading John Hagee's books that he may not even know the book of Hebrews is in the Bible. What is the purpose of the book of Hebrews? The first two verses leave no doubt about the purpose of this great book. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (Heb. 1: 1-2). There was a time when the Mosaic covenant was binding on God's people. That time has long passed. He now speaks unto us by his Son.

The author of Hebrews constantly contrasts the old covenant and the new. The new covenant, that is, the gospel of Christ, is superior in every way to the Mosaic covenant. Chapter 8 mentions a prediction the prophet Jeremiah made concerning the coming of a new covenant. The author of Hebrews affirms: "In that he says, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away" (Heb. 8: 13). The New American Standard Bible translates that verse: "When He said, A new covenant, He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear." Even more powerful are these words from Jesus Christ: "Then he (Christ) said, Lo, I come to do thy will, 0 God. He takes away the first that he may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified through offering of the body of Christ once for all" (Heb. 10:9-10). Besides, there had to be new law since there was a change in the priesthood (Heb. 7:12).

Hagee correctly insists: "The God of the Bible does not break covenant" (p. 54). But what if the people with whom God made that first covenant were unfaithful to the regulations of that covenant? Jeremiah predicted that a new covenant be given because the Jews had broken that first covenant. Please listen to the seventh century B. C. prophet. "Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand and brought them of the land of Egypt: which my covenant they broke, although I was an husband unto them" (Jer. 31:31-32). It was Israel that broke the covenant-not God. The author of Hebrews says very plainly: "They continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, says the Lord" (Heb. 8:9). The old covenant has been annulled and the new covenant established. We are not judged by any of the precepts of the Jewish covenant.”(Col. 2:14-17).

Sometimes when a preacher gives book, chapter and verse, he perverts the meaning of the text. Dr. John MacArthur, Jr. is one of the most prolific evangelical writers in the world. I have profited enormously from reading a number of his books. He has published a book with the title, Forgiveness: The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1998). Dr. MacArthur does not believe that baptism is essential for salvation. He quotes the Jews as asking Peter and the other apostles: "Men, and brethren, what shall we do?" He quotes the apostle Peter as saying to the Jews on Pentecost: "Repent, and trust Christ" (p. 50). Even a child knows that is not what Peter told the Jews. Peter commanded: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Dr. MacArthur referred to book, chapter and verse, but twisted the verse. Does anyone have a right to insert into the scriptures what he thinks they ought to teach?

I could give you dozens and dozens of examples of how some preachers have perverted certain biblical passages and how some theologians make assertions that have no basis in scripture, but I must use the remainder of our time to give you book, chapter and verse for some of the views and practices of churches of Christ. We believe, as do many other churches, that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. I am fully aware that millions of people worldwide view such a belief as being intolerant, unreasonable and even destructive. If you believe we are wrong in maintaining that Jesus is our only Savior, that is certainly your prerogative, but what does the New Testament actually teach? Can I find book, chapter and verse for that belief? If we cannot find such passages, churches of Christ should stop teaching it. But if the Bible teaches it, all people who claim to be Christians must embrace that belief.

I shall furnish just one passage that teaches the truth I am emphasizing. Peter and John were going into the Jewish temple at the hour of prayer. They saw an impotent man lying at the Beautiful gate. He asked the apostles for money. They did not give him any money. They gave him something far more important than money. The apostle Peter said: "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Peter took the man by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple" (Acts 3:1-8). The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were upset because of the great miracle. They wanted to know by what power, or by what name, the apostles had performed the miracle. Peter's answer establishes beyond dispute that Jesus is the only way to God. Please listen carefully. The apostle Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to the Jewish rulers: "This is the stone that was set at nought by you builders, which has become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:7-12). You may disagree with the Apostle Peter's statements, but there is no way you can misunderstand it. You may not believe he had a right to say it, but you know what he said.

Churches of Christ teach because the Bible does that Christ is our only authority in religion. Just prior to his giving the Great Commission, Christ told his apostles: "All power has been given to me in heaven and in earth" (Mt. 28:18). The Greek word translated "power" (exousia) means authority. In addition, the apostle Paul calls Jesus Christ "head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who, fills all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). These verses make it abundantly clear that nothing can be done in the work and worship of the church without Christ's explicit authority. In the late 1800s, Dr. John L. Girardeau, a prominent Presbyterian scholar, wrote an excellent book with the title, Instrumental Music in the Public Worship (Fayetteville, TN: International Gospel Hour, n. d., a Reprint). He introduces his topic with this powerful observation: "Attention, at the outset, is invoked to the consideration which serves to establish the following controlling principle: A divine warrant is necessary for every element of doctrine, government and worship in the church; that is, whatsoever in these spheres is not commanded in the Scriptures, either expressly or by good and necessary consequence from their statements, is forbidden" (p. 15). Dr. Girardeau did not use the expression, "book, chapter and verse," but is there any doubt he believed it is necessary to have book, chapter and verse for all we preach and practice?

One of the most controversial issues of our generation is the Lord's second coming. I am not saying that most denominations doubt the Lord's second coming. But many of them muddy the waters by attempting to fix the date of the Lord's return. The apostle Peter responded to the skeptics of his day by declaring: "But the day of the Lord will come." As every serious Bible student knows, there are many biblical passages that teach the second coming of the Lord. I have given you book, chapter and verse that teach the that the Lord will come again. But I read only a portion of that verse. Please listen to the entire verse. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10). Do you have any problem understanding the expression, "as a thief in the night?" The truth is: The time of the Lord's coming is of no concern to us. Peter tells us what is important: "Wherefore, my beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found in him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2 Pet. 3:14). In fact, I can find book, chapter and verse that says only God the Father knows when Christ will return. "But of that day and hour, no man knows, no, not the angels in heaven, but my Father only" (Mt. 24:36). Do you have any difficulty understanding the word "only?" It means that neither John Hagee, nor Hal Lindsey, nor Jack Van Impe, nor William Miller, nor anyone else knows within a million years when the Lord is coming back to claim his own. But what about the signs of the times? If there were any signs, we could pinpoint the time of Christ's coming. There are no signs-not even one-that tell us when the Lord will come back.

Faithful gospel preachers provide for their audiences the gospel plan of salvation. We give book, chapter and verse so that no one will be ignorant of what men and women must do to be saved. I preach that honest men and women must hear the word (Rom. 10: 17). I also preach that they must believe in Christ to be saved (Acts 16:31). I emphasize the necessity of confessing Christ before men and repenting of alien sins (Mt. 10:32-33; Lk. 13:3). When we confess our faith in Christ, we must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). After men and women have confessed their faith in Christ, repented of their sins and been baptized, they are to continue to walk in the light to continue to have the forgiveness of their sins (l John 1:7).

I have given you book, chapter and verse for the gospel plan of salvation. Are there examples in the great book of conversions that illustrate that plan? One of the simplest stories of conversion is that of the Ethiopian eunuch. The Ethiopian had been to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia. The Lord commissioned Philip the evangelist to go to the eunuch and teach him about Christ. The eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53:7-8. Philip began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus. As the two of them went on their way, they came to a certain water. The eunuch asked Philip if he could be baptized. Philip told him he could be baptized if he believed the message he had heard. They stopped the chariot. They both went down into the water and Philip baptized the eunuch (Acts 8:26-38). Is it significant that Luke says nothing about the eunuch's repentance, but how could he have been baptized scripturally if he did not repent? The eunuch heard the word, believed it with all his heart, confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized in accordance with divine instructions. Are book, chapter and verse sufficient to lead you to obey the gospel, if you are not already a Christian?

Winford Claiborne

The International Gospel Hour

P.O. Box 118

Fayetteville, TN 37334

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