Setting the record Straight - A Further reply to Aleck Crawford I thank Aleck Crawford for his further comments. There are continuing issues which I must address - some vital to salvation. My main objective is to identify the gospel. I trust and pray, through what I have written, some will experience the wonderful life and salvation found in the living Lord Jesus Christ. To know Jesus personally was the reason for our creation and redemption. ‘That which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write unto you, that your joy may be full.’ 1 John 1:3-4 The subjects appear in the following order: John Thomas - a Plagiarist John Thomas – Inspired C.P. Wauchope Division Critical Issue Myth Angels and Creation The gospel of grace The kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ The judgment Wrested Scriptures Once Saved always saved John Thomas – a Plagiarist Anatolia was the publication to which I previously referred, printed in 1854. In the preface John Thomas wrote: ‘Unlike “The Coming Struggle,” “The Supplement To The Coming Struggle,” and “The coming Rest,” all inaccurate unacknowledged plagiarisms from Elpis Israel, a work published by the author in London in 1850, and republished in New York in 1851 –– Anatolia is original throughout.’ In Anatolia, Thomas copied - not a few sentences, but whole pages of another author. He provided no quotation marks, footnotes, or breaks in writing, not even a vague reference – and then asserted in italics ‘Anatolia is original throughout’? It’s one thing to steal - another to lie. God’s view of liars is found in Rev 21:8 Aleck Crawford’s Response is irrelevant, evasive - and completely misses the point. However, I will nonetheless demonstrate the weakness of his comments. Crawford says: ‘Just because Granville Penn is not mentioned by name did not amount to plagiarism especially in the 1850's.’ Does he think plagiarism was OK in 1850?? The evils and deception of plagiarism were recognised even before 1800. Consider the following: ‘When an author sells the thoughts of another man for his own, the larcency is called ‘Plagiarism.’ From the French Philosopher Voltaire, who died in 1778. His book was reprinted in 1824 by John J. Gorton. ‘In this and other countries, an author has a legal property in his work for a specific number of years. This which is transferable is called his COPYRIGHT, and one who presumes to print and publish the same, during that period, without the owner’s consent, is termed a pirate and his conduct is a piracy, subjecting him to pecuniary penalties. Plagium among the Romans (from a Greek word signifying decoy) was the crime of kidnapping; and as the literary productions of an author are metaphorically his children, a person who appropriates any portion of them is called a Plagiarist, or a Plagiary, and the theft is Plagiarism; always dishonorable, and when, to a certain extent) punishable by the laws against literary piracy.’ By David Booth Published by Simpkin, 1835 Thomas, himself, was well aware of the unethical nature of plagiarism – see the quote above from Anatolia – ‘…all inaccurate unacknowledged plagiarisms from Elpis Israel…’ A later publication Crawford’s reference to the note in ‘Exposition of Daniel’ sinks before it can float. ‘Exposition of Daniel,’ a modification of Anatolia, didn’t appear until 1868!! – a decade after the detected theft! His evidence is vain and void. Even his quotes from Exp. of Daniel fail to identify the true author. Aleck Crawford quotes, ‘All the author bespeaks for this Exposition is a patient and candid perusal. It is original throughout. He does not mean to say, that it contains no quotations; but that as an exposition it is not a mere rehash of the theories of others.’ How can Crawford quote, ‘It is original throughout,’ when it copied pages from another author – not a single quotation mark or acknowledgement? He highlights in red, ‘He does not mean to say, that it contains no quotations.’ But, where are the quotation marks? Writers of repute acknowledge their source!! In Elpis Israel page 423 John Thomas said, ‘It will, therefore be my endeavour in the following pages to identify this adversary of Israel and their king...’ Pages of plagiarism follow. It was an author 25 years previous who made the identification. Thomas copied it and stole the credit. Granville Penn, whom Thomas plagiarised, carefully acknowledged his sources. Thomas even used Penn’s acknowledgments as if they were his! Aleck quotes Thomas: ‘This evidence has been extracted from the historical and geographical gleanings of a writer on the Prophecy of Ezekiel, published over fifty years ago.’ But, who was the writer on the Prophecy of Ezekiel? Where is his rightful credit?? In reference to the fourth edition of Elpis Israel (1866), Aleck writes, ‘Because he did not agree with Granville Penn's application of Gogue to Napoleon as we see stated below, he merely refers to the source as "a writer some thirty-five years ago" and then goes on to say "I will give the substance of what he says concerning it.’ How utterly pathetic – after the exposure of fraud!! – ‘Because he did not agree with Granville Penn's application of Gogue to Napoleon’!! Why copy page after page of another man’s work with whom you disagree? Copying from a disputed writer does not lessen the obligation to cite the source! Why didn’t Aleck refer to Thomas’s words in Elpis Israel, ‘It will, therefore, be my endeavour in the following pages to identify this adversary of Israel and their king..."? It was written in such a way as to communicate that he wrote the section!! Thomas’s theft from Granville Penn occurred even years earlier than Anatolia. ‘Elpis Israel’ was published in 1850. Thomas also took material from a Charles Rollin's. Thoughtful readers will surely ask, ‘Where does it end?’ Aleck Crawford must face facts - not simply accuse of ad hominem! The reader is referred to the website: A GLANCE AT THE HISTORY AND MYSTERY OF CHRISTADELPHIANISM  John Thomas – inspired? Of John Thomas, Robert Roberts writes: ‘…but for John Thomas, those who now rejoice in the truth, would still have been sitting, like the rest of the world, in “darkness and the shadow of death”. Dr. Thomas: His life and Work. I quote again: ‘If such works as "Elpis Israel" and "Eureka" are neglected an essential foundation for individual research and investigation is lacking', Christadelphian Standards, p. 104. 'Let us also treat with scorn any suggestion to hide or shelve the works of Bro.Thomas and Bro. Roberts', Christadelphian Standards, p. 52. ‘We are not still searching for the truth. God has provided it, and its first written presentation was in the book Elpis Israel.’ P. 11 The Believer, July 1971. Similar claims were made of Herbert W. Armstrong and Joseph Smith. If, as Aleck says, John Thomas didn’t claim to be inspired - he came close to it. After denouncing all others, he wrote in Eureka: ‘Hence there can be no correct exposition of the Apocalypse unless CHRIST THE TRUTH gives it. No writer on the Apocalypse can do anything aright apart from this inspiration.’ (page 4, Eureka vol 2a – and note his vile castigation of others) On page 83 he gives the dates of the millennium – from A.D.1905 to A.D. 2905. He didn’t get those dates from CHRIST THE TRUTH!! According to his predictions, we are now 104 years into the millennium! In Anatolia he gave 1911 AD as the commencement of the millennium and to conclude in 2911! Christadelphianism was instigated by a very clever and deceitful man. His writings rankle with hatred and scorn. C.P. Wauchope I return to Aleck Crawford’s statement: ‘C. P. Wauchope made predictions of his own that did not agree with general Christadelphian understanding. In fact I don't know anyone who shared his views.’ I wrote: ‘Facts for Aleck: C.P. Wauchope was a world recognized Christadelphian lecturer. (absolutely correct) He lived in Adelaide and belonged to the 'Shield' Christadelphians (absolutely correct) - the main body of the sect.’ (The Christadelphian temple in the heart of Adelaide belongs to this faction even if the Shield group are not so prominent elsewhere). Wauchope may not have been accepted by all the fragments of the sect, but he lectured widely in many capital cities - and travelled worldwide. Hundreds flocked to his meetings Aleck Crawford says, ‘I don't know anyone who shared his views.’ What about Mansfield’s statement of Wauchope: The matter of teaching and instilling upon the minds of the Brotherhood the correct biblical meaning of fellowship was an extremely hard task to follow...’ Aleck’s attempt to discredit Wauchope completely misses the issue. My booklet documents failed predictions of Christadelphians. Wauchope’s failure was no different to the sect founders - Robert Roberts and John Thomas – and surely they’re in agreement with ‘general Christadelphian understanding.’ Wauchope’s boast about the certainty of his words and asking people to put his words to the strictest test – and ‘to seek a wiser way’ compares well with the boast of Robert Roberts who said, ‘No devout mind, receiving the word of God in all sincerity – will be content to accept the fooleries of the past as a disproof of what God has made known; but under the conviction that underneath the misunderstood enigmas of his word, there lie important facts which he would have us understand, will anxiously endeavour to obscurity which has baffled others, and get at the mind of God in a matter so important in its bearings on our mental relation to the purposes of God.’ Christendom Astray p.245 (1940) Roberts, unfortunately, didn’t live to witness his own ‘fooleries.’ He laid down 1910 AD as the year for Christ’s return - Wauchope - 1934. Division Aleck Crawford’s castigations of C.P.Wauchope highlight the appalling divisions in Christadelphia - a pressure cooker of antipathy and disagreement!! How many times have we read public Christadelphian denunciations like, ‘A divided Christendom cannot save’? What about their own division and hostility!! The editorial of ‘The Christadelphian’ September 1983 is entitled, “First Pure, Then Peaceable.” And then begins, ‘At times of difficulty and crisis within the Brotherhood, when its very unity is threatened ….” P.321 ‘A less positive demonstration is the uninterrupted long dissertation on Sunday evenings as a “Dear Friends” lecture when the attendance of the “dear friends” is the exception rather than the rule.’ P. 331 Some quotes from the ‘Believer’ (July-August 1971) highlight the seriousness of the situation: “We have a great deal of sympathy with those who have not known of these ills, and those who are reluctant to acknowledge them as facts; because such evils should exist in the body of Christ, and all of us are loath to admit that they do.’ P.1 ‘In such circumstances those who have professed to be brethren have torn and rent one another. In the fierceness of their strife … And have flattered themselves that their wrath against those who differed from them was but a righteous anger against the perverters of the Truth. It has never been our lot to know a meeting which could consider the various aspects of the subject (the atonement) without quarrelling, and many a one torn asunder by the strife.’ P.4 ‘I am appalled that brethren in both groups can be so bitter towards one another.’ P.10 ‘As you state in your magazine “now is the time for plain speaking” if we are to salvage anything from a fast sinking Brotherhood.’ P. 10 ‘How can we sink so low as to argue over the name of the One we claim to serve?’ ‘I have heard that already ecclesias in both South Australia and NSW are disfellowshipping whole ecclesias.’ P.11 Writing of experiences in the ‘Logos’ group one writes, ‘I remember responding to the idea that it was our duty to build up little cells of strength in every ecclesia and to establish a spiritual fifth column in the apostate camp of Christadelphia.’ P.12 “We see a household divided into six parts, and several of the parts claiming that they are the only ones standing for the purity of the truth.’ P.14 ‘Again, are ecclesias, say in London doing Christ’s work when they divide and subdivide themselves and other meetings by reason of something individuals in Birmingham or California (quite unknown to themselves) may have said or done.’ P.17 Critical Issue Before leaving C.P. Wauchope, I pick up a critical point raised by Aleck: ‘Brother Wauchope errs in saying that we declared that brother Bell "did not hold error." We declared the contrary. He printed and published the statement that Jesus in the days of his flesh was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners in every sense of the term." This was and is error.’ Absolutely incredible!! – Bell condemned because he believed the Bible!!! The Bible says: ‘Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.’ The Bible says that Jesus was ‘holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.’ Those who can’t believe the Bible on such an important issue are in – deep darkness! But why is Bell condemned for believing the Bible? Is it not because of subservience to John Thomas who described Jesus as ‘filthy in the flesh’? The issue of Christ’s purity of nature is imperative for salvation. Consider further: The angel pronounced Christ sinless in conception: ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.’ Luke 1:35 The reason for the virgin birth was the absolute purity of Christ. He was true man – the perfect man. In conception, the Bible declares him ‘that holy thing.’ John Thomas would declare him that ‘filthy’ thing. Compare Luke 1:35 with Psalm 51:5: ‘Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.’ That is how we’re conceived – ‘shapen in iniquity.’ Jesus was conceived in purity and holiness. Peter referred to ‘the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.’ 1 Peter 1:19 Paul wrote, ‘For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.’ Rom 8:3 God sent His Son in the ‘likeness’ of sinful flesh – not ‘in sinful flesh.’ Where ever Paul used the term ‘likeness’ in the book of Romans it wasn’t identity. See 1:23, 6:5 A ‘sin natured’ Christ could never condemn ‘sin in the flesh.’ It would condemn him! One ‘filthy in the flesh’ could save no one – not even himself. The Bible record of Christ’s is: ‘…and in him is no sin.’ 1 John 3:5. ‘Who knew no sin.’ 2 Cor 5:21. ‘Who did no sin.’ 1 Pet 2:22 Jesus was declared ‘The holy one of God’ Mark 1:24, John 6:69 (RSV), Acts 2:27, 13:35, 1 John 2:20, Rev 16:5. When Robert Roberts says of the body of Christ on the cross, ‘This is how condemned human nature should be treated according to the righteousness of God; it is fit only for destruction,’ has he not read Acts 2:27? Did it not occur to him that the body crucified was the body raised! Hope Jesus said, ‘And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.’ Matt 12:31-32 ‘Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven.’ If you have believed the iniquitous doctrine of Jesus being ‘filthy in the flesh’ – get on your knees and repent – and ask His forgiveness. I refer the interested reader to the document on this website, ‘Discover the Real Jesus.’ It identifies errors about the nature of Jesus and highlights Bible truth. ’MYTH Does Aleck Crawford think he has a monopoly on the words ‘pagan mythology’? I said, ‘Was ever a greater myth imagined than animal like beings from other spheres becoming 'Gods' and creators?’ The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines ‘myth’ as ‘Purely fictitious narrative – involving supernatural persons etc. And embodying popular ideas on natural phenomenon etc. ; allegory as Platonic ~ ficticious person or thing.’ On page 187 of Elpis Israel, In reference to ‘these “Morning Stars and Sons of God,” John Thomas says: ‘It is credible, rather, that they were once animal men of other spheres; that in a former state they were “made subject to vanity not willingly…’ This is pure myth – ‘fictitious narrative’ – vaporous speculation – utter nonsense!! Later Aleck says, “Neither the word 'Gods' nor the word 'creators' appear on page 187 of Elpis Israel so JH in JHCC is deliberately trying to mislead his readers about Christadelphians. Who is Aleck misleading? Whilst the word ‘gods’ doesn’t appear on page 187 it does on page 38. What about the later publication of John Thomas, (Phanerosis) of whom Aleck says, ‘We generally agree with his later writings where those clarify what he had said earlier.' In Phanerosis page 63 Thomas writes: ‘…we find Moses teaching the contemporary existence of a plurality of Gods before the creation of man…Paul affirms the plurality of Gods, and Moses shows they existed before the creation of man.’ Thomas, in Phanerosis, has this to say about Christ, ‘He (the Eternal Power) turned the body into Spirit, and made it one in nature” with Himself – the Spirit-Son of the Eternal Spirit, equal in power and glory –– GOD. p.93 A few paragraphs later Thomas postulates the same for others – “like him” in body, as they have been in and practice – Spirit because born of the Spirit, and therefore God, because “Spirit is God.” p.94 In Eureka vol 2a, writing of Christ after his resurrection, John Thomas says ‘…by which he has become consubstantial spirit-flesh with Him …by which he is omnipotent and omniscient…’ p.17 This is too close to Mormonism. Christadelphian writer and researcher, Peter Hemingray, wrote a book entitled, 'John Thomas His Friends and His Faith.’ There was a section on Dr Thomas and the Mormons which castigated the Mormons, but incredibly under the title: 'Doctor Thomas and the Mormons – Conclusions, Hemingray said:  ‘There are some obvious similarities between the beliefs of the Mormons and the beliefs of Doctor Thomas. They both had originally somewhat similar beliefs on the nature of God...' Page 108 In 1981 Christadelphians published a booklet entitled ‘Mormonism’ and, in it, a summary of discrepancies between “Mormon” doctrine and ‘Bible Truth.’ They identified nine discrepancies. But the major one of man becoming God isn’t cited. Is it because Christadelphians believe the same thing? Herbert W Armstrong in his 18 Restored Truths said, ‘The purpose of God, that we are to be born of God and become God.’ (3) In my previous reply to Alec Crawford I referred to Mormonism. He bypassed it in his so called ‘rebuttal.’ I once showed Mormon visitors page 187 of Elpis Israel. In utter astonishment they said, ‘But, this is what we believe!’ Christadelphianism is more subtle than Herbert W Armstrong and the Mormons. Its latent Mormon like teaching is veiled behind biblical expressions, ‘equal to the angels,’ ‘Immortals,’ etc. One has to research to find what they mean by the terminology. Robert Roberts wrote of Christ: ‘When raised from the dead and glorified, he was exalted to “all power in heaven and earth;” his human nature was swallowed up in the divine; the flesh changed to spirit. Hence, as he now exists, “In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” – He is now the corporealisation of life-spirit as it exists in the deity.’ CA 107 ‘Christ having died, God raised him from the dead to a glorious existence, even to equality with Himself.’ CA 114 Nowhere does the Bible teach that men become God. It teaches the opposite: ‘And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.’ Rev 21:3 Where does the Bible teach that Jesus became God? The Bible teaches that Jesus became man – that he was God – eternally existing with the Father and coming into the world to save mankind. John 1:1-14, 16:25-31 When John Thomas says, ‘Paul affirms the plurality of Gods,’ he misses the import of the words : ‘For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.’ 1 Cor 8:5-6 True Christians believe in one God and one Lord Jesus Christ --- not the god myriad of John Thomas! From whence came such blasphemy – men becoming God! We find it in the third chapter of Genesis. It was the serpent who said, ‘Ye shall not die – but ye shall be as gods.’ Such teaching is serpentine! Concerning page 187 of Elpis Israel, Aleck refers to ‘water tight evidence by Jesus.’ Indeed, Jesus spoke of those resurrected being equal to the angels. But, what evidence did Jesus give about angels, in prior existence, being animal like men of other spheres?   ‘Animal men.’ Indeed, there are references to the animal like nature of men in the Bible. But, the speculations of John Thomas, so desperately followed by Aleck Crawford, of animal men, of other spheres, becoming ‘gods’ and creators, is pure mythical fable. Angels and Creation If ever there’s a place where the record needs to be put straight, it‘s at Genesis 1. Aleck Crawford takes a verse from Psalm 8 and its quote in Hebrews 2:7 which applies the word Elohim to angels and imposes it on the creation texts of Genesis 1. We must, indeed, allow the New Testament to interpret the Old Testament – and particularly Jesus Himself! See Luke 24. Aleck’s quote from Hebrews 2:7 interprets Psalm 8:5. But, why didn’t he consult the same interpretive book of Hebrews for its comment on Genesis 1. What does it say? ‘For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.’ Heb 4:4 Let the unbiased observe: The text does not say the angels rested from all their works. It says, ‘And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.’ Further proof: ‘For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’ 2 Cor 4:6 Note again: It wasn’t the angels who commanded the light to shine out of darkness. It was Elohim – the Omnipotent Almighty God! Psalm 8 refutes the Platonic theories of sub creators. Let’s bring it into the open: ‘O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! What could be more plain and precise! ‘For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels…’ Did the text say ‘the angels made him a little lower than themselves’? Absolutely not!! Even the babes mentioned in the psalm would recognize it. For the seeker of truth – hear the clear testimony of the Creator Himself: ‘Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.’ Isa 44:24 If Yahweh states that He made all things and stretched forth the heavens alone – and spread abroad the earth by ‘myself,’ what further proof is needed!!! ‘I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.’ Isa 45:12 ‘Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.’ Rom 1:25 Further proof that angels had no part in creation ‘And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?’ Heb 1:10-14 Speaking of Christ, the writer to the Hebrews identifies the creator of the earth (solid earth – soil - see Greek) and defines the ministry of angels – ‘sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.’ Aleck Crawford quotes a favourite text of the Christadelphians and uses red print:"The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word." (Psa. 103:19-20) Has it ever occurred to Aleck (and others) that the verse says nothing about creation!! To say ‘Excelling in strength’ and doing ‘his commandments’ means creating the universe is monstrous distortion. Angels are ‘sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.’ Let Aleck Crawford (and others) read the next Psalm: ‘Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.’ Ps 104:1-5 Read the whole Psalm and be abundantly clear that the Creator of all things created angels (spirits) and made them ‘ministers’ – not creators!! Doing ‘his commandments,’ could include Hebrews 1:6 where all angels were commanded to worship the Son when he was brought into the world at Bethlehem. Aleck frantically cites a number of texts about angels obeying the voice of Yahweh. He vainly assumes that ‘obeying’ means creating. Absolutely not!! It is Elohim who gives the command to create! Genesis 1 refers to omnipotence. Elohim spoke and it was so. ‘By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.’ Heb 11:3 9 NIV ‘The blessed and only Potentate.’ 1 Tim 6:13-16’ How incredible that Aleck Crawford, in his subservience to John Thomas, can appeal to such a text to deny the immediate creation of God. The ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’ can, by mere fiat of His Word, call a universe into being. By isolating the text Christadelphians have postulated a remote and distant deity. The Bible is explicit: ‘By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.’ Indeed God dwells in unapproachable light – whom no man has seen or can see. Elsewhere Paul refers to him as ‘The invisible God.’ ‘God is Spirit,’ said Jesus. God is both transcendent and imminent. Revelation 5:11-14 describes something of his transcendent majesty. While Acts 17:24-27 speaks of his nearness: ‘God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.’ Isaiah blends both: ‘For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ 57:15 How can Aleck Crawford say, ‘God does not personally visit the earth to talk and interact with mortal men’? Who spoke to Jesus at his baptism and transfiguration? The LORD is near to all who call upon him.’ Ps 145:18 RSV The Deity who dwells ‘in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see,’ can approach man and reveal himself to man. What an awesome vision of the Deity was granted to Isaiah! See chapter 6 Jesus said: ‘No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.’ John 1:18 Jesus also said, ‘He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?’ John 14:9 He also said, ‘I and the Father are one.’ John 10:30. Jesus didn’t mean merely one in association or purpose. It was one in identity as the context shows. Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd.’ In the Old Testament the Psalmist said, ‘Yahweh is my shepherd.’ John Thomas portrays the Deity as distant and remote – hence his insistence on angelic creation and intermediary gods. It was the Greek philosopher Plato who promoted the idea of a demiurge. It was taken up by second century Gnostics and embraced today by those ignorant of the scriptures. Hear again the sure word of scripture: ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.’ Rev 4:11 ‘And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.’ Acts 4:24 ‘Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.’ Isa 40:28 ‘For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.’ Rom 1:20 ‘Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.’ Rom 1:20 ‘All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.’ John 1:3 The Gospel of Grace Aleck Crawford’s opening remarks of his original critique quoted from Galations 1 with reference to teaching ‘another gospel.’ ‘But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.’ Gal 1:8-9 I’m amazed how liberally Christadelphians quote Gal 1:8-9 out of context!! It should be clear from the scriptures that, they, themselves, preach ‘another’ gospel!! From the context I cited, Paul’s definition of the true gospel. Let me quote again, in context!: ‘Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach another gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.’ Gal 1:3-9 The ‘good news’ is defined in the context: ‘Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.’ Cf 1 Cor 15:3 The Lord Jesus Christ ‘gave himself for our sins.’ That is good new – wonderful news!! – the gospel!! Compare 1 Timothy 1:15 ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ In the scripture index of Elpis Israel 1 Timothy 1:15 isn’t listed. Why, out of seven pages of indexed scripture citations in a book of nearly 500 pages, is the verse that defines the mission of Jesus absent? Paul said the saying was ‘worthy of all acceptation.’ We note that the Lord Jesus Christ ‘gave himself’ for ‘our sins.’ In the next Chapter Paul elaborates: ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.’ Gal 2:20 (also absent from the Elpis Israel index!) Paul’s exultation: ‘But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.’ Gal 6:14 (also absent from the EI index!) To the reader: What is your glory? Are you, like the apostle, glorying in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ? I note in the Christadelphian publication ‘The Atonement,’ Galation 6: 14 is quoted once – but only the second part! Why, in a document on the atonement, omit the words, ‘But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ’?? Why in a book of 360 pages on the atonement are such climactic words omitted – even from the very the text itself?? Paul says: ‘I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.’ There it is in context – the ‘other gospel’ in deviation from the ‘the grace of Christ,’ - removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ’!! In Elpis Israel, John Thomas freely cites Gal 1:8-9 but never the context which defines the gospel. It’s deceptive and dangerous to quote out of context – and especially Gal 1:8-9 which curses those who preach the other gospel. What Aleck Crawford suggests as gospel is Christadelphian doctrine. Beyond Galations chapter one. Now to deal with Crawford’s question: Why does JH restrict his definition to the first chapter of Galatians and also ignore other definitive, clear, and relevant Scriptures? Please note: It was Aleck Crawford who quoted Galations 1:8-9 out of context. I referred to the context which defined the gospel and the perversion. Hear what the scriptures say: The book of Galations opens with grace: ‘Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Paul was called by grace ‘But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace.’ Gal 1:15 He linked the grace of God to the death of Christ: ‘I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness came by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.’ Gal 2:21 Galations concludes with grace: ‘Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.’ Gal 6:18 What does the Bible say about grace? ‘For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.’ 2 Cor 8:9 ‘But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.’ 1 Cor 15:10 ‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.’ Rom 5:1-2 ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:4-9 ‘But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.’ Acts 15:11 is the outcome of the meeting of the apostles and elders and endorsed by the church. Acts 20:24 refers explicitly to ‘the gospel of the grace of God.’ There it is Aleck – in black and white!! ‘But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.’ How fallacious is Aleck’s statement: ‘the gospel is not only about grace or Christ or the grace of Christ.’ Paul’s ministry was to ‘to testify the gospel of the grace of God.’ My ministry is to testify to ‘the gospel of the grace of God.’ It is the gospel that saves from sin, justifies by faith and ushers us into relationship with God. I quote again a significant verse: Ephesians 2:7 ‘That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.’ Eternity will not be long enough for the redeemed to comprehend ‘the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.’ ‘But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.’ 2 Peter 3:18 Crawford scathingly attacks Philip Yancey. He says: ‘Yancey --- has no idea what the Biblical meaning is.’ Whatever the flaws of Yancey, he knows the gospel better than Aleck Crawford who denies it. Aleck Crawford, of all people, needs to heed the warning of Gal 1:8-9. Incredibly, Aleck cites Rom 1:1 ‘Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,’ What is Aleck Crawford trying to prove? What did Paul say at the conclusion of his letter to the Romans? ‘…from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation.’ Rom 15:19-20 ‘And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.’ Rom 15:29 A child should surely see ‘the gospel of God’ is ‘the gospel of Christ’! Why can’t Aleck Crawford?? Perhaps the next quotation explains: ‘ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.’ 2 Cor 4:4-5 One can say upon all the authority of God’s holy Word that the gospel of God is the gospel of Christ – it’s all about Christ – it’s all about grace. The ‘god of this world’ has blinded minds to it. The content of the gospel: As already proved - it is the gospel of grace, the gospel of God, the gospel of Christ. Let Paul speak decisively about its core content. ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.’ 1 Cor 15:3-4 RSV Now hear Jesus himself: ‘He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ NIV Luke 24:44-49 Aleck, needs his mind opened to understand the scriptures! Peter writes: ‘Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.’ 1 Peter 1:10-12 ‘And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.’ Acts 17:2-3 The great theme song of heaven is all about the Lamb who was slain. ‘And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.’ Rev 5:11-12 Be ever reminded of the great mission statement: ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ 1 Tim 1:15 ‘For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Mark 10:45 Christ’s mission was about saving people: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ John 3:17 I agree with Aleck when he says, ‘The gospel of justification by faith was preached unto Abraham and was concerned with how all nations would be blessed.’ But note Romans 4:16 and read all of Romans 4. Justification is by faith - through grace: ‘Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all.’ Rom 4:16 ‘Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.’ Gal 3:6-9 What blessings did Abraham receive by his faith? ‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.’ Gal 3:13-14 Paul elaborates further in Galations 4:4-7 ‘But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.’ Gal 4:4-7 Regarding blessings: Paul’s next letter (Ephesians) which follows so appropriately from Galations begins with these words: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.’ 1:3 Read the whole chapter and note every specified blessing. Here are one or two: ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ v7 ‘In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.’ 11-14 ‘So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.’ Gal 3:9 Please note the tenses , ‘In thee shall all nations be blessed (future). So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.’ (Present) Interestingly, Jesus said of Abraham: ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.’ John 8:56 Blessings abundant came through Abraham’s seed, Jesus Christ. To the repentant Zachaeus, Jesus said, ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ Luke 19:9-10 ‘The things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ.’ Acts 8:12 Indeed, the apostles preached ‘the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.’ The kingdom of God The kingdom of God was central to the apostle’s message. Jesus had taught them about the kingdom. The kingdom of God is dynamic, multi-faceted and concerned with Jesus Christ Himself who is ‘The Great King.’ Matt 5:31 The closing verse of Acts refers to Paul, ‘Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.’ Acts 28:31 ‘…he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.’ Acts 28:23 Notice how Luke, connects Acts 28:23 with his gospel in 24:44-47: These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.’ What was the message Jesus said should be preached? ‘… repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations…’ Paul’s definition of the kingdom of God is found in Rom 14:17: ‘For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.’ Jesus said, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ John 3:3 There’s a stark difference between the Bible’s testimony of the kingdom of God and that of Robert Roberts who says: ‘It only lasts for a thousand years.’ (CA p.175) and refers to it ‘as another stage in the accomplishment of His purpose.’ Daniel the prophet said, ‘How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.’ Dan 4:3 Psalm 145 says: ‘All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.’ Ps 145:10-13 Robert Roberts, in explaining the nature of the kingdom of God, reasons in these terms: ‘A kingdom is not an abstraction. It is not any single thing; it is an aggregation of certain elements which go to make it up. A king in himself is not a kingdom; neither is a country, or people, or laws, separately; it requires them all combined to constitute a kingdom. This must commend itself to every man’s judgment. A kingdom consists of, first a king: second, an aristocracy; third, a people; fourth a territory; and fifth, laws. To set up a kingdom is obviously to arrange and combine these elements.’ Christendom Astray. P 136 Indeed, Roberts’ idea of a kingdom may well commend itself to ‘every man’s judgment’ – that is, to every man who reasons from a human level of understanding. The kingdom of God is not subject to human reasoning. ‘Jesus said: ‘My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.’ John 18:36 Jesus said: ‘…the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.’ Matt 13:44-46 Jesus, Himself, is the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price. Have you, the reader, found the treasure in the field? Do you know Jesus Christ personally? ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’ Matt 13:47-50 At the end of this age the kingdom of God will be magnificently revealed when the King of Kings returns in all His glory and power. ‘The name of Jesus Christ’ ‘The name of Jesus Christ’ is the only saving name: ‘Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ Acts 4:12 It is the name that releases believers from condemnation. ‘He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ John 3:18 It is the name that enables believers to become sons of God: ‘But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.’ John 3:18 Life is in the name of Jesus: ‘But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.’ John 20:31 Believers were baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins and reception of the Holy Spirit: ‘Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.’ 1 Cor 6:11 There is no higher name - ‘Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.’ Eph 1:21 Worship the name of Jesus: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ Phil 2:9-11 All of God’s angels are to worship Jesus. Heb 1:6 The Judgment In my ‘critique and credibility’ I wrote and will quote again: Heb 9:27: ‘And as it is appointed unto men (all men) once to die, but after this the judgment.’ But Aleck says, ‘Hutchinson’s insertion of (all men) into the quote from Hebrews 9:27 assumes that everyone is responsible. But if you read your Bible you will find that this is just not so.’ Has Aleck read his Bible? He only needs to go to Hebrews 12:23 to read ‘…God the Judge of all…’ In no way does Heb 9:27 support Aleck’s theory of a restrictive judgment! Heb 9:27 says two things about man’s destiny – ‘once to die’ – surely Aleck isn’t suggesting that only a few die (see Romans 5) – after this the judgement. Those who die will be judged. I quote again: Heb 9:27: ‘And as it is appointed unto men (all men) once to die, but after this the judgment.’ This is how Aeck reponds JH again quotes Heb. 9:27 (JHCC p. 15) even though in my critique [96] I defeated JH's insertion of "all men" into the divine record. See especially endnote 61 of that critique. As for JH's statement that "those who die will be judged" he has some strange notion that those who are alive at his appearing must die first. 1 Cor. 15:51 says "... we shall not all sleep..." (NASB). So clearly not all men will die because Christ will come before they do. The divine appointed is for men to die. ‘As in Adam all die.’ Aleck says he defeated the insertion of “all men.” The only person Aleck defeated was himself! Believers, however, who are alive at Christ’s return will, instantly, be changed. They will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air to be ‘forever with the Lord.’ ‘Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.’ 1 Cor 15:51-52 ‘For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.’ 1 Thess 4:16-17 This does not abrogate the appointment with death. ‘And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.’ Heb 9:27-28 Christ died the believer’s death. He ‘was once offered to bear the sins of many.’ Believers are, indeed, appointed unto death – but Christ died their death in that he was once offered to bear their sins. ‘Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.’ 1 Peter 2:24 This is the ‘glorious gospel of Christ.’ ‘Christ died for us.’ Consider the wonderful verses from Romas 5: ‘For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.’ Rom 5:6-9 ‘Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.’ Rom 8:33-34 ‘It is Christ that died.’ The appointment is for all to die and after that the judgment. I provided proof directly from the book of Hebrews – ‘…God the Judge of all…’ 12:23. Aleck seems to have missed it. Regarding Aleck Crawford’s theory of a restricted judgment: what a precarious position for the followers of John Thomas! I recall asking a Christadelphian about his future. He said, ‘One day you may find me missing. That will be when I’m taken to a deep valley near Jeruslaem for judgment. If found worthy I will be made immortal etc.’ I said, ‘But what if you’re not found worthy?’ He said, ‘I would be returned to the grave.’ What kind of hope is that? If he must return to the grave why bring him out of the grave? One Christadelphian writer said, ‘It is possible that a full review of our lives will be made in the presence of the angels and that we will then appear before Christ for his final judgment which by then the discerning will have anticipated.’ ‘It is certain that the period of judgment will be relatively short, for to extend it over a period of many years would be an intolerable burden upon those waiting for Christ’s verdict. There have been a number of suggestions as to how the Lord will remove the anxiety of his servants as they await their call to stand before him. We mention two that are worthy of consideration. 1. The angels will gather the responsible to Mt Sinai and will undertake a review of each individual’s life, by the end of which it will be obvious which way Christ’s verdict will go. They will then await their call to stand before him, probably in groups, and will receive his decision. 2. The angels will convey the responsible to the judgment seat and usher them immediately into Christ’s presence. The judge will separate the just from the unjust and the two groups will then await their time to give a personal account and receive their reward or punishment. We prefer the first suggestion because it will remove the anxiety of waiting for an indication of our destiny while still allowing time for the true character of the just and unjust to be revealed in the presence of Christ.’ The above quotations are taken from the publication, ‘Events Subsequent To the Return of Christ.’ Who would want to be a Christadelphian!! What a distortion! What a denial of the gospel!! Is Aleck Crawford, in his denial of the general judgment, suggesting those summoned will fit in Mt Sinai????? If many (or most) are rejected what a trauma! No wonder the writer above talks about removing the anxiety of waiting for an indication ‘of our destiny’! Hear the good news of scripture: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.’ 2 Tim 1:7-12 ‘Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.’ 1 Peter 1:1-9 ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.’ John 5:24 ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ John 3:17-18 ‘Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.’ Rom 5:9-11 ‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.’ Rom 8:31-34 ‘That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.’ Col 1:10-14 Good for despots Aleck Crawford’s theory of judgment for the few is good news for tyrants and despots - those who murder little children and the innocents en-masse – are they to rest peacefully in sleep and never give an account?? Where is justice? Aleck continues: ‘The next verse JH quotes is: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matt. 12:36) We ask the question, 'Who was Jesus speaking to?' The word highlighted in red gives us the big clue. He was speaking to a multitude (v. 23), which included the Pharisees who were a "brood of vipers" (v. 34) meaning they were the seed of the serpent and who had just blasphemed the Holy Spirit power which Jesus had used to cure the person who was blind and dumb. Were these Pharisees responsible in that they had heard the gospel but rejected it? To ask is to answer. They knew by his miracles that Jesus was the "Son of Man". See Matt. 11:20. ‘But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.’ Matt 12:36 Aleck, please look again at the text. Indeed, it says, ‘But I say unto you…’ But, the next line says, ‘That every idle word that ‘men’ shall speak…’ Jesus didn’t say, ‘Every idle word that you shall speak…’ He said, ‘That every idle word that ‘men’ shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.’ It certainly includes the ‘you’ - but is inclusive of all. ‘And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.’ Evil (Gr. ‘Phaulos’) ‘Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.’ John 5:28-29 John had previously used this word in 3:20 – ‘For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.’ The light is Jesus who said, ‘I am the light of the world ….’ John 8:12 ‘Men loved darkness rather than light.’ All men have done evil! Wrested Scriptures We need to revisit some of Aleck Crawford’s ‘wrested scriptures.’ Mortal resurrection The Bible says nothing and implies nothing about a ‘mortal emergence’ of the saints. The reason why Christadelphians postulate a restrictive judgment and a mortal resurrection is to accommodate the teachings of John Thomas and Robert Roberts who frequently employed the non scriptural term, ‘Probation.’ The Bible teaches salvation not probation! Aleck Crawford follows the false reasoning of R.Abel who, in his attempts to validate a mortal resurrection says, ‘This passage is used (Phil 4:3) to support the idea that the faithful sheep are known by the good shepherd…’ p.139 This is too incredible for words!! Let the Good Shepherd Himself answer: ‘I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.’ John 10:14 ‘Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.’ 2 Tim 2:19 We need to know more about ‘The Good Shepherd.’ John 10:14 Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ John 10:11 How truly wonderful that the Lord Jesus Christ voluntarily laid down his life for the sheep! He said, ‘I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.’ John 10:9 ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.’ John 10:27-30 The Good Shepherd was aware of dangers. He warned of the thief: ‘The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: John 10:10 There are religious thieves - those who would steal from the good shepherd – rob us of the joy of salvation. Praise God, Jesus came to restore the ravages of thieves. He said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly’ Jesus also warned of the wolf. Elsewhere he warned of false prophets who appeared as sheep but underneath were like ravenous wolves. Matthew 5:17 Paul feared for the flock after his departure at Ephesis: ‘For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.’ Acts 20:29-31 Jesus also warned of the stranger who would lead sheep away – also those who would attempt to enter another way than by the gate. There are many religious strangers today - preaching a false message and another Christ. To the reader: Do you know the Good Shepherd personally? Have you entered by him and experienced salvation – going in and out and finding pasture? John 10:9 Jesus, the omnipotent, omniscient shepherd knows each individual and knows them by name. How dare robbers and wolves like Abel and Crawford suggest otherwise. ‘Immortal re-emergence’ We need to set the record straight on what Aleck Crawford and R Abel refer to as ‘immortal re-emergence.’ Abel refers to Lazarus being raised and says he did not come forth immortal. The Bible says nothing about Lazarus being raised ‘incorruptible’!! He was raised physically. At Christ’s second coming the dead in Christ will be raised ‘incorruptible,’ and the living shall be instantaneously changed to incorruptibility. Abel argues that the word ‘incorruptible’ doesn’t mean ‘immortal.’ ‘Incorruptible’ means simply that which cannot corrupt. If something cannot corrupt then it is permanent and unchangeable. Absolute proof of this meaning is found in Romans 1:23 where we read of the ‘glory of the incorruptible God.’ The same Greek word describes those raised from death at the return of Christ: ‘…and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.’ 1 Cor 15:52 In 1 Tim 1:17 The ‘incorruptible’ God is described in these terms: ‘Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ ‘Incorruptibility,’ implies immortality – everlasting. See 1 Peter 1:23 1 Cor 15:52 refers to an instantaneous resurrection and dynamic change to incorruptibility – ‘In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.’ 1 Cor 15:52 Abel's argument of the 'process' of growing wheat is not worthy of comment. In scripture we take metaphors as far as scripture allows. The resurrection is not a process – it is a dynamic instantaneous change. Even the sprouting wheat plant is a dynamic miracle in itself – completely contrasting to the seed rotting in the soil! ‘It is raised a spiritual body’! If Aleck’s theory was right, men would be raised ‘corruptible’ – subject to death and decay. Not so, says the scripture! ‘Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 1 Cor 15:50-57 If the dead are raised to mortal existence why are the living changed – they already have ‘mortal’ existence - which is what Abel insists is necessary for his kind of judgment? There is no need for change!! The change to ‘incorruptibility’ occurs in a moment. Proof of the change to immortality is found in Phil 3:21: ‘For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.’ Phil 3:20-21 The Bible leaves no room for doubt about the meaning of ‘corruptible’ and ‘incorruptible.’ Abel postulates a developing style of resurrection to accommodate the false teaching of Thomas and Roberts - ‘probation.’ In the glorious chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 there is no mention of judgment. It refers to the resurrection of believers. The chapter begins with a statement of the gospel: ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.’ 1 Cor 15:3-4 It refers to the last enemy (death). 1 Cor 15:3-4 ‘For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.’ 1 Cor 15:25-26 Death is destroyed at Christ’s second coming. Note the climaxing words: ‘For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 1 Cor 15:53-57 In the context of 1 Cor 15 the resurrection of the dead at the coming of Christ defeats the last enemy. Jesus said: ‘All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.’ John 6:37-40 Note Christ’s words: ‘I will raise him up at the last day.’ ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.’ John 6:47 Aleck makes a big issue about some being raised physically when Jesus was on earth. It is invalid. Jesus made blind to see, deaf to hear, lame to walk and even raised some from the dead – to die again - to demonstrate his messiahship. This has nothing to do with the resurrection at his coming when the ‘dead in Christ’ will rise with living believers instantly changed to immortality and incorruptibility. One Christadelphian got it right .He said, ‘The word “first fruits” – needs to be underlined. It indicates very pointedly that there was no resurrection before the coming of Christ – Christ was the first to be raised from the dead.’ Ernest Kendal. Hear what the text says: For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.’ 1 Cor 15:21-23 Aleck freely quotes Mark 12:24-25 in other contexts. Has he noticed its relevance in relation to the resurrection? ‘And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.’ Aleck needs to note the proof: ‘afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.’ Aleck also says: ‘He implies that verse 54 refers to the same event as verse 26. However, the discerning reader can see that they are 1,000 years apart. Death is "destroyed" at the end of the Millennium whereas those in whom "death is swallowed up in victory" refers to those immortalized at the beginning of this period.’ To Aleck I say: ‘The truly discerning reader can surely see 1 Cor 15 doesn’t say or imply anything about ‘1,000 years apart’!!! This is pure assumption!’ ‘He must reign.’ Is Aleck suggesting that Christ isn’t reigning? Has he not read 1 Peter 3:22, Ephesians 1:19-22, Col 2:10, Rev 1:5 (Dan 4:17), Matthew 28:18 Has Aleck considered Ps 110:1? ‘The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ Or 1 Peter 3:22 ‘Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.’ ‘But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.’ For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. ‘The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.’ In the context of 1 Cor 15, the last enemy is destroyed at Christ’s second coming. Scripture doesn’t tolerate the Christadelphian theory that mortals will live on the earth after Christ’s coming and be subject to death and future judgment. ‘As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man. They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was in the days of Lot - they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all - so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed.’ Luke 17:26-30 RSV What does Revelation 20 says about the dead? ‘But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.’ Phil 2:16-20 I need to refer again to this passage which Aleck ruthlessly wrests. It begins: ‘Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.’ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Aleck seizes on the words: ‘…that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.’ Paul rejoices in the way they live and hold forth the word of life. See the next verses. The whole meaning of the passage is that believers are to ‘work out’ in daily life their own salvation. Note: it is of salvation the apostle speaks – not ‘probation.’ Romans 1:18-20 ‘For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse’ This clearly speaks of the wonders of creation. See Psalm Ps 19:1-3 ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.’ Rom 1 refers to pagans – who ‘changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.’ Rom 1:23-25 Will the reader refer to Romans 2 and note the words: ‘But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds’ Rom 2:5-6 ‘Who will render to every man according to his deeds.’ That is what the Word of God says. It’s not what Aleck Crawford believes or likes. Compare now with Heb 9:27 See also Romans 3:5-6, 12:19, 5:9-10, Eph 2:1-3, 1 Thess 2:10, 5:9-10, Rev 6:12-17 Matthew 11: 28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ One cannot let these beautiful words be subject to ‘wresting.’ Aleck is correct about the future tense of the words but wrong in his deferment of them. The words have an immediate future. If one came to our door and we said, ‘Come in, and we’ll give you a cup of tea.’ Providing a cup of tea is future – but only as long it takes to make it! When Jesus said, ‘Come unto me - and I will give you rest,’ It’s future tense – but realized when the heavy laden come to Jesus. Compare Rom 5:1-2 ‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.’ Mark 16:16 ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.’ Again, Aleck is right about the future tense but wrong in his deferment of its realization – and even more wrong in his explaining away its certainty. He would have us believe that we have to wait anxiously in a valley in Mt Sinai to find out if we’re ‘worthy.’ The text doesn’t say, ‘He that believeth might be saved.’ It says: ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.’ Consider the case of the Philippian jailor in Acts 16:30-31 ‘…And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.’ The words, ‘…and thou shalt be saved,’ are in future tense. But, it was in the same night that the jailor believed, was baptized and rejoiced. In scripture, the sinner is saved when he accepts Christ. To the repentant Zachaeus Jesus said, ‘This day is salvation come to this house.’ Luke 19:9 ‘…behold, now is the day of salvation.’ 2 Cor 6:2 The Bible says, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. ’Eph 2:8 Salvation is not merely future. It’s past, present - and future. The sinner is saved in the moment he repents and trusts Christ. He then has peace with God Rom 5:1. ‘And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.’ Rom 5:11 The believer is being saved daily as a new creation in Christ. Indeed there will be failures and slip ups but our wonderful Saviour lifts us up and helps us on. Believers will be saved. Hear and imbibe the words of Peter: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.’ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.’ 1 Peter 1:3-10 Hebrews 3:14-4:11 We need to define ‘rest.’ Jesus said: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Believers find rest in Christ and His finished work of salvation achieved on the cross on our behalf. See Romans 5:1 ‘Rest’ is for believers. ‘So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.’ Heb 3:19 Belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and his saving work on our behalf ushers one into ‘rest.’ He said, ‘Ye shall find rest unto your souls.’ This is not a nebulous distant thing. It’s present reality. See comments above about the future tense. ‘For we which have believed do enter into rest.’ Heb 4:3 Hebrews refers, to those of Moses’ day who hadn’t entered rest. They needed to ‘Believe.’ ‘Today, if you will hear His voice.’ Five times the word ‘Today’ emphatically occurs with the conjunction, ‘Harden not your hearts.’ Paul wrote: ‘We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)’ 2 Cor 6:1-2 ‘…behold, now is the day of salvation.’ Did not Jesus say to the repentant Zachaeus, ‘Today, salvation has come to this house’? In Heb 3-4 we read that none of those led by Moses even entered rest. They didn’t enter because of unbelief. The writer is warning against the sin of unbelief and encouraging a full response to the gospel. ‘Today, if you will hear His voice.’ God is speaking in the present. He says, ‘Harden not your hearts.’ Hence he says: ‘See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.’ ‘Harden not your hearts.’ Our response to the ‘glorious gospel of Christ’ must be from the heart. ‘But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’ Rom 10:6-9 To those who confess that Jesus is Lord (Lord of all) and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead, they will be saved. Response to the gospel is not merely intellectual. It is response from the heart which assures one of salvation. How serious then, is the sin of unbelief - the hardening of spiritual arteries! This is what is stressed in the book of Hebrews. The key verse to Hebrews is 2:2: ‘For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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.’ Heb 2:2-3 The recipients of Hebrews were obviously trying to connect Christ with the superceded elements of the old Jeswish order. ‘Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest…’ Heb 4:1-3 How relevant then are the words of Heb 4:1-3 ‘Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.’ The confronting question is, ‘have you entered rest?’ Have you believed in your heart all that Christ is and all that he has done to save us? Aleck tosses in verses from 2 Thessalonians – but, again, wrested out of context. I quote in context and the observant reader will surely see how the passage teaches the opposite to the probation theory of John Thomas. ‘And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.’ 2 Thess 2:10-17 ‘Once saved – always saved.’ - Some comments I personally believe that true salvation, wrought by Jesus Christ in his sufferings and death, places the saved sinner in an eternal relationship with God. Jesus not only said that His sheep were in his hand from which none could snatch them, they were also in his Father’s hand and added, ‘I and my father are one.’ See John 10:27-30 The Good Shepherd will not easily let His blood bought sheep go! They are precious. He knows them and they know Him! He leads them – they know his voice and follow Him. They will not follow the voice of a stranger! To the reader: Do you know the Good Shepherd personally? Are you safe in His hand? Salvation includes justification, forgiveness and freedom and also regeneration – being born again – becoming a new creation in Christ. 2 Cor 5:17 ‘But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.’ Gal 4:4-7 I became a son of my earthly father through birth. By virtue of that birth I am ever his son. I may have disobeyed and disappointed him, but his son I remain. We become God’s sons through birth – a second birth. John 3. This is a dynamic, instantaneous spiritual birth wrought by the Holy Spirit. Believers become sons and heirs through Christ – ever related to him! ‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.’ Ps 37:23-24 ‘The LORD upholds all those who fall..’ Ps 145:14 However, many Bible believing evangelical Christians do not believe in ‘eternal security.’ I grew up in the Methodist church which generally didn’t accept it. But, the evangelists of Methodism believed in ‘Salvation’ – not ‘probation.’ They’d anathmetise any thought of having to wait anxiously in a ravine in Mt Sinai to see if they be found ‘worthy.’ Hear the lines of one of Charles Wesley’s great hymns: ‘No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine! Alive in Him, my living head, And clothed in righteousness divine. Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown through Christ my own.’ (From the hymn ‘And can it be’ No 371 in Methodist Hymnbook) Abel’s parable. I comment again on the serious distortion of the parable by R Abel. ‘The following illustration shows the differing ways in which ‘saved’ can be used: Imagine a downed bush pilot in the Canadian Arctic desperately attempting to maintain body heat in - 60ºF weather. Weakened by loss of blood and broken bones, the cold of the icy blasts drives like nails through the parka’s folds. At night the circle of half starved wolves becomes increasingly brazen. But suddenly in the few hours of daylight, a noise is heard out of the skies and overhead a rescue plane is seen coming in the direction of the downed craft. “Thank God, I’m saved cries the bush pilot. But he is not completely out of danger. The rescue craft may be unable to land on the rough icy surface and by the time a rescue team travels several miles the pilot may perish from loss of blood or fall victim to the wakeless sleep of the Arctic cold. Even when rescued by the team and placed in a rescue aircraft he is not “saved” in the strict sense of the term. The rescue craft may lose a ski on a protruding chunk of ice or may itself be ruined from carburetor-icing or a down draft. Not until the bush pilot is safely back at the base and fully recovered from his ordeal, can he be said in the fullest sense to be saved.’ P.154 In the pre comments to his misleading parable Abel suggests that Christadelphians ask questioners what they mean by ‘saved.’ This what I mean by saved. I’ve acknowledged my sin and unworthiness before God. I’ve accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I acknowledge that he died for me – Romans 5:5-8 Christ bore my sin in his body upon the tree. He died in my place. His blood was shed for me. My salvation is all of grace. I’ve been born again by the Holy Spirit. I’m a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17) I’m a partaker in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) In believing I rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pet 1:8). I have passed from death into life John 5:24. I am ‘in Christ.’ In death I will be ‘with Christ’ and in the resurrection, ‘like Christ.’ I walk in fellowship with the living Christ and am growing in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever (2 Pet 3:18). My faith is in Him who is able to keep me from falling and present me faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24 A better parable ‘What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.’ Luke 15:3-8 Unlike Abel’s flimsy rescue plane which may not even be able to land, the shepherd finds the lost sheep – and ‘layeth it upon his shoulders.’ Be assured, when the Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, ‘That Great Shepherd of the sheep,’ finds a lost lamb it is eternally secure.’…he layeth it on his shoulders.’ An illustration Some years ago three men, fishing from a boat at night in Backstairs Passage were thrown into the murky shark infested waters by a freak wave. Two were strong swimmers, the other couldn’t swim. The two struggled toward a distant light on the shore. But, all three made it. Those who swam were exhausted and badly cut from abrasions as they washed onto rocks in high surf. The other man was perfectly safe. Others fishing nearby heard him and, when they found him, lifted him into their boat. To the reader: Are you swimming in dark and dangerous water – or, secure in the life boat? Rom 14:10-12 – another scripture wrested by Aleck Crawford. Consider the wider context from verse 7 ‘For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.’ Paul was addressing the issue of what we eat or do in the presence of those weak in the faith. If something we eat should cause another to stumble then don’t eat it and don’t condemn others for what they do. Let’s pick up the assurance of the passage: ‘For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.’ Heb 6:4-6 ‘For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.’ These are strong words, indeed. We need to note the distinction between the ‘us’ of verse one and ‘those’ of verse 4. It appears that the reference is to a group who have ‘tasted’ but rejected the good things of the gospel. Notice how the writer turns again to the recipients of his letter: ‘But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.’ Heb 6:9 In the same chapter the writer assures his believing readers of a ‘sure hope.’ Heb 6:9 ‘Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.’ 1 Cor 9:24-10:1 ‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.’ Paul wants the Corinthians to be the best Christians they can be. In a race all runners run but only one wins the prize. Paul urges us to run as to win – and to fight like those in the boxing ring. He is not setting them apart from himself in any self righteous admonition as he says, ‘… but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.’ (RSV) But, disqualified from what? Certainly not from eternal life as his great chapter (15) on the certainty of resurrection makes clear. In Philippians Paul writes: ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.’ Phil 3:13-15 Assurances We need to consider the exciting assurances of salvation in contrast to the teachings of an uncertain and distant reward. Christadelphian author, H. Whittaker, writing to Christadelphians, said, ‘Ask any one you know – “Will you be in the kingdom of God?” Ask that question point blank, and require a point blank answer and you will not get it. There will be swithering, hesitation, an expression of pious hope maybe, or more likely of doubt with even a flavour of despair, but not from anyone, a straight “Yea, Yea,” or “Nay, Nay.” (Reformation, p. 132) See 2 Cor 1:20 Religious groups which keep you in suspense are robbing you of God’s joy and peace. How can we endure such uncertainty! Our security is God’s priority. He wants His blood bought sheep to share eternity with Him. Hear the Word of God: ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.’ 1 Tim 1:15-16 Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He, Himself said, ‘For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Mark 10:45 ‘Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.’ Heb 7:25 Everything necessary to save sinners was accomplished on the cross. Unwittingly, the words of those who taunted the Lord as he hung there were profoundly true – ‘He saved others, Himself he could not save.’ By his ‘all sufficient’ atoning death ‘he saved others’ – every repentant believer. ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved .He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ John 3:17-18 Jesus said: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He who hears my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.’ John 5:24 What wonderful words of assurance – from the Lord Himself! Have you passed from death to life? Jesus said: ‘For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.’ John 6:38-40 Jesus came from heaven to do the will of him who sent him which is, that of all which he has given him, he should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. To all who believe he grants eternal life, with the assurance that he will raise them up at the last day. Please note: they have eternal life before being raised. Note verse 47: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.’ What greater assurance is needed! - accompanied by the doubled ‘verily.’ Many more assurances could be cited – all we need to have a believing heart. See Hebrews 3:18-19 To the readers: Thank you for your time. Have you experienced salvation in Christ - being found in Him, not having your own righteousness but the righteousness of faith, ‘…which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.’ Phil 3:9 Jesus said, ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ John 15:11 Indeed, there will be trials and tests, but, in them we can rejoice ‘with joy unspeakable and full of glory.’ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9 Let me leave you with a great verse: ‘Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.’ Jude 24-25 If you would like to know more about the sure way of salvation or have further questions feel free to make contact – John Hutchinson johnhutc@bigpond.com Notes on Aleck’s ‘ad hominems.’ H.P. Mansfield Aleck Crawford made a totally false statement about me attending lessons by HP Mansfield. I once went with my father to a Christadelphian meeting, not knowing who the speaker would be. It was this meeting and the conduct of it which led me to search out Christadelphian teachings and origins. I came across a book by HP Mansfield entitled the Apocalypse Epitomised. In it I read things I had never heard of e.g. ‘The multitudinous Christ.’ I searched the Bible and nowhere did it mention the multitudinous Christ or even the concept. The Bible said, ‘But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.’ 1 Cor 8:6 Diploma of Divinity and pre-conceived ideas. Such diplomas are designed to make one think and read more widely. On any particular subject, whether given or elective, one is directed to a variety of authors and not bound to accept any particular idea - so different to subservience to books like Elpis Israel. In such diplomas one assesses the authors by the Bible. Diplomas in divinity are not a requisite for preaching in the Baptist church – or the Methodist church from which I received accreditation as a lay preacher. Our preachers must be born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept the Bible as the divinely inspired Word of God. We have no imposing books like Elpis Israel. Our authority is the Bible. Indeed, many people with open minds have joined Christadelphia – like the many who joined the Watchtower Society and the Mormons. However, these groups quickly close the mind to outside influence. Cultic literature poisons the mind to open inquiry. Churches are scathed and ridiculed. A Baptist defector. I don’t know why Aleck Crawford is so liberal with his own ‘ad hominem trade.’ It’s almost like a super market! There are many millions of Baptists in the world. I am not responsible for one in America who defects to Catholicism. For all I know, he may have been a charlatan in the first place – a little like John Thomas who infiltrated the Cambellites in England after his abjuration in America. Sign of the cross: Aleck states that crosses are the sign of the anti-Christ. That would then make John Thomas the anti-Christ. Central to his lithograth is the sign of the cross!! Can Aleck show from the Bible where crosses are the sign of the anti-Christ? I personally don’t like crosses. Until after WW2, Methodist churches, like many others, never displayed crosses either inside or outside their chapels. The apostle Paul said, ‘But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.’ ‘For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.’ Rather than display crosses we should preach the cross – it’s the essential message. True Christians glory in the cross. It was on the cross that the greatest victory for mankind was achieved – the Son of God died for our sins and purchased our salvation. The preaching of the cross is the sign of true religion. Paul said, ‘For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.’ 1 Cor 2:2 If you want to know whether a group is truly Christian check to see if their dominant theme is Christ crucified. Acknowledgement: I wish to thank the person who kindly allowed me access to his copy of Anatolia..