The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
June 11, 2006
In
This Issue:
Slander
by
Greg Gwin
A
Real Live Bible Miracle
by
Dwight Mcgee
Slander
Do you know the definition of "slander''? Have you heard slanderous remarks? Have you ever been guilty of slandering anyone? These are important questions when we remember that slander is a sin that can damn our souls. Notice: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice'' (Ephesians 4:31 - NASV). "But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth'' (Colossians 3:8 - NASV).
The King James Version uses the words "evil speaking'' and "blasphemy'' in these texts, but the meaning is the same. We most often think of "blasphemy'' against God, but in its most literal sense the word means "to vilify, or to speak against''; and it can be done against God or man. A modern English dictionary offers this definition: "a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report.''
Slander typically happens when brethren get "out of sorts'' or angry. Often it involves someone trying to justify his position or excuse his bad behavior. Its goal is to make someone else look bad. The easiest way to do this is to issue a false report. It usually goes like this:
"Did you know that brother 'So-and-so' believes _________.''
"You don't mean it!''
"Oh, yes, that's his position.''
"I just can't believe it! Have you actually heard him say that?''
"Well, he's never come right out and said it, but that's what he believes alright.''
"Have you gone to him to discuss this matter?"
"No, it wouldn't do any good. He's real stubborn and closed-minded you know.''
Brethren, this is the sin of slander -- DON'T DO IT!
-- Greg Gwin
After seeing so many fakes selling trickery and emotional displays as miracles, it is refreshing to see a true-to-life Bible miracle. As we observe this miracle, consider with me the elements that make it what it is -- a direct display of the power of God.
It was the hour of prayer as Peter and John went to the temple in Jerusalem. There sat a man who was lame and begging for money. Peter healed him by the power of Jesus Christ. He was able then to walk and praise God. The people were moved by this display. All of this takes place in Acts chapter three. Let us consider some of the major elements of this Bible miracle.
The physical evidence that God had acted contrary to the laws of nature was overwhelming. The man was first of all utterly lame. We see this in verse 2, "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple" (Acts 3:2). For a man to have to be carried and placed would show how helpless he was to move himself. His condition was permanent. He was over forty years old (Acts 4:22) and had been lame since he was born (Acts3:2). His situation was publicly known. When the people saw him healed they, "Knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him" (Acts 3:10). He was unmistakably healed. He was not as some who are "healed" and manage to limp a few steps without a cane; he was instantly and dramatically changed by the power of God. "And immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength, and he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God" (Acts 3:7-8).
The public impact was overwhelming. "And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering" (Acts 3:11). Later Peter's enemies said of this miracle, "For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by this is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it" (Acts 4:16). It would be comparable to a known lame man that sat at the court house downtown being immediately healed and running through the city. It would make local and national news; everyone would hear about it. This was an event that shook the town, not a "flyby-night healer" that comes to town and "heals" headaches on strangers and takes his money on-the-run.
The purpose of apostolic miracles was fulfilled in this event. The apostles were special witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus. "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon then all" (Acts 4:33). This miracle was used to prove and preach the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. This was a part of God's plan to confirm His New Testament to mankind today. As the Hebrew writer says, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him: "God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" (Heb. 2:3, 4). The age of miracles performed by the living testimony of the confirmed word of God remains. The next time you hear of "miracles", compare what is being done with the Bible miracles in the New Testament age.
Dwight Mcgee
Via Great Plainness of Speech, Riverbend church of Christ, Vol. 3, No. 1, February 1996