TRUTH

“Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding!" (Prov. 23:23 NKJV).

Instead of buying truth, many folks in our society today are questioning the value of truth. We therefore want to note four reasons for their questioning: price, popularity, practicality, and the personification of truth.

Price - Many do not buy the truth because the price is too high. Truth is not found in discount centers. There are no periodic sales to greatly reduce its price. It is always a costly item. Truth has cost some folks their friends, others their jobs, and has even cost some their lives. But the price is worth it. Truth is extremely valuable.

Popularity - Many do not buy truth because truth is not very popular. Truth is not exciting enough to some, and seems dull and drab when compared to lie. The garment of truth has seldom been the popular style of the day. Wear truth and you will be an odd number. But wise men will dress according to truth, not according to what is popular.

Practicality - Some do not buy truth because they do not think truth a necessity. It is not thought of as practical. And to many, truth seems to be a handicap. It has been said that to be successful, we must sell the truth. However, such arguments is only plausible to the naïve; the policy of false witness will never gain the approval or blessing of God. Nothing is more practical than truth.

Personification – A further reason only few buy the truth is that the personification of truth is Jesus Christ. Today, only a few folks are interested in Him. Yet He is the One who said “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life” (John 14:6). To get ahead in the world, and to secure eternity in heaven, a person need to “buy” the statement made by the Lord Jesus Christ. And there is no need to worry if the price is high, and it is not popular, and the world says it is not practical. Buy the truth anyway; it will be worth it.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Drove

In Acts 8:16 we read, “And he drove them from the judgment seat” (NKJV).

Drove is the Greek word apelaunō (ἀπελαύνω = ap-el-ow'-no). It is made up of two words: “apo” which means from, and “elauno” which means to drive. Thus the word means causing to move away from a point of reference by threat or force, drive off or away, send away, expel.

In classical Greek apelaunō means drive away, expel, exclude, keep at a distance, ward off or avert. In the Septuagint apelaunō means drive away a flock, to drive away from danger. In the New Testament apelaunō is used only once, here in Acts 18:16. It refers to Gallio harshly driving the Jews away from the civil judgment seat at Corinth. Today, we would say he ‘threw the case out of court.’ And not only did he ‘throw’ out their case, he threw them out of his court!

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would have divine insight, seeing into the minds and hearts of people (Isa. 11:3)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 2:25

Did You Know…

In Genesis 9:22-24, Ham saw his father’s (Noah’s) nakedness. Noah awoke and was very upset at Ham, and placed a curse on Canaan, Ham’s son. In Lev. 20:11, the Bible says that to uncover your father’ nakedness means that you have slept with your father’s wife.

Bible Quiz

How many times hotter than usual did Nebuchadnezzar order the furnace for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: What was God’s instruction regarding the fire on the altar in the tabernacle? “It shall never go out” (Lev. 6:13)

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil”

“For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit” (1 Peter 3:10 NKJV).

“Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” - The expression “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” carries the idea of not getting involved. In context, Peter is saying that to enjoy the full and satisfying Christian life, the believer in the Lord Jesus should cease from harmful talk, and let no words of deceit escape his lips. Christians whose hearts are attuned to God and his Word participate now in the fullness of life here on earth and afterward with Christ in eternity.

Did You Know – Christian History

Johann Gerhard Oncken was born January 26, 1800 in Varel, Germany. He was a pioneer German Baptist preacher, variously referred to as the “Father of Continental Baptists,” the “Father of German Baptists,” and the “Apostle of European Baptists.” Oncken helped direct and guide the growth of Baptists throughout Germany and across much of Europe for half a century.

Oncken was truly an international man: as a child, he was baptized a Lutheran, and confirmed in 1814. However, he was converted in England at a Baptist meeting, baptized by an American in Germany, and possessed a relationship with the Mennonites. He traveled across the European continent preaching the gospel and giving out Bibles. He conducted ‘reaching tours’ in the Balkans, France, Hungary, Prussia, Russia, and Switzerland, as well as visiting Britain and the United States.

During his ministry as a Baptist preacher, Oncken established over 280 Baptist churches and 1222 preaching stations. He founded over 170 churches in Scandinavia and the Slavic states. He also formed 771 Sunday Schools in Germany. His ministry even extended indirectly to places such as Australia. Several of the German Baptist settlers in Australia, influenced by Oncken and following in his footsteps, were active in sharing the Gospel with their fellow countrymen, thereby establishing the Baptist work among German immigrants.

Oncken’s theology can be described as conservative, Calvinistic, and evangelistic. He favored ministerial education, but not at the expense of spiritual preparation. He held spiritual gifts as a priority over academic preparation. His zealous methods of preaching and evangelism laid the foundation and set the example for many years to come. His work continues to leave a mark on the Baptists of Germany and Europe.

By 1878, Oncken was growing physically weaker daily. In physical weakness and suffering, he drew comfort from knowing “hat Christ, having loved him, loved him to the end.” He resigned as agent for the various tract and Bible societies that he was serving, but continued to pastor. The Scottish Bible Society gave him a pension. Late in 1879, Oncken suffered a stroke. His physical condition compelled him to retire in 1881. He moved to Zürich where he died peacefully on 2 January 1884.

A Little Humor

The baby was coming way too fast so the paramedics were called. To make it worse, when they arrived, there was a power outage. The paramedics asked the four year old sister to hold the flashlight for them. Despite the difficulties, all went well and the mother delivered a baby boy. The paramedic smacked him on the behind and he began to cry. Looking over at the wide eyed little girl, the paramedic asked her what she thought about what she had just witnessed. She said, “That naughty boy should have never crawled in there. Spank him again!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“To deny one’s guilt and reject Christ is the worst kind of insanity!”