The
SUSQUEHANNA SENTINEL
March 7, 1999
Vol. I, No. 45

In This Issue

SAFE SEX

Our society is becoming increasingly hedonistic. Men and women are searching for ways to enjoy this life without any regard to eternity. One of the ways they have found to enjoy this life is by committing sexual immorality, such as homosexuality, fornication, and adultery. The wearing of immodest apparel, dancing, and viewing movies which portray all of the forms of sexual immorality are forms of lasciviousness which create lust in the minds of the viewer and if left unchecked will eventually bring death, James 1:14-15.

Many have found that along with the uncontrolled fulfillment of their lusts comes some unpleasant and unwanted side effects. Various diseases (the most feared of which is AIDS), unwanted pregnancies, and divorces are some of the consequences which follow the fulfilling of these desires. Man's answer to all of these diseases is to educate everyone, especially children, as to how they can commit these acts of immorality in a SAFE way. They have coined the phrase "safe sex" and promoted this all over the country as the answer to all of the problems and consequences that come from the uncontrolled fulfillment of the lusts of the flesh.

God has provided for the lawful fulfillment of the desires that exist in men and women. Heb. 13:4 states, "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." 1 Cor. 7:2-3 says, "But because of immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband." This is the only form of safe sex because it is the only form with God's approval. Any sex outside the marriage relationship is NOT SAFE BECAUSE IT IS SIN and sin will keep one out of the kingdom of heaven, Gal. 5:19-21.

Children as well as most adults need teaching from God's word on the subject of safe sex. Parents need to sit with their children and open God's word and teach them the sanctity of marriage and the need for them to wait until they are married before engaging in the sexual relationship. Instead of feeding upon God's word, most children are feeding from the trough of Hollywood via the TV set and movies which openly advocate sexual immorality of every kind.

Following God's law will end the problems that come from sexual immorality. Unwanted pregnancies, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, divorce, and all the other ills that accompany these sins will cease if all will just simply obey God.

--Andy Alexander

To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.

--William Walton

THREE ANSWERS TO ONE QUESTION

Could one question be given three differing answers, and all answers be correct? Seems unlikely doesn't it? Yet this is the case in the N.T. book of Acts when the question, "What must I do?" (to be saved) is asked.

The expressed answer given to the Philippian jailer was "Believe!" (See Acts 16:25-34 for full account.) Some insist that this expressed reply is complete, and hence salvation is by faith only. However, a consideration of the expressed replies given this question on other occasions will show the fallacy of such reasoning.

When some of the Pentecost multitude asked, "What shall we do?" they were told, "Repent, and be baptized." (See Acts 2:6-38-f. for details.) And when Saul asked what to do he was directed to Ananias, who told him to "Arise, and be, baptized." (See Acts 9:1-18 22:6-16 for the record.)

If only the expressed reply is to be considered we would have to conclude that the jailer was saved by faith alone, and that those on Pentecost were saved by repentance and baptism (i.e., without any faith) and that Saul was saved by baptism alone--without either faith or repentance. Of course none of these conclusions are valid.

Why Did The Answers Differ?

Because the questions were asked by people in different circumstances. A man in Burnet may ask "how far is it to San Antonio?" and be told, "100 miles." In Marble Falls this question would get a different answer. And in Blanco, the same question would get a third, and different answer. Yet all would be part of one great truth.

There is no indication that the Philippian jailer had either knowledge or faith in the Christian system; so he was told to believe, and then "they spake unto him the word of the Lord." He repented, as indicated by washing their stripes; and he was baptized, as stated in Acts 16:38. Thus he truly believed (vs. 34).

But those on Pentecost heard the preaching of Christ before they asked their question. The preaching "pricked" their hearts; i.e., they believed. Then they were told "repent and be baptized."

And Saul (later called Paul) had already believed, and had spent three days penitently praying, when he was told, "Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins."

Where Are You??

Your status or condition before God must be considered in answering your question, "What must I do?" The Lord will save "all who will obey" (Heb. 5:9) and has given one gospel to all (Gal. 1:8 Rom. 2:11). Have you proven your faith by full and complete obedience to His will? 

--Robert F. Turner via Plain Talk

FASTING

In Matt. 9:14-15, "The disciples of John came to [Jesus], saying, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?' And Jesus said to them, 'Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and they will fast.'"

Note a few facts with regard to the subject of fasting, that is, refraining from the eating of common meals for a prolonged period of time, usually associated with religious activity.

1. John's disciples followed the tradition of the Pharisees in frequent fasting. Jesus gives us some insight into their practice in Luke 18:12, where He quotes the prayer of a certain Pharisee, "I fast twice in a week."

2. We note that the Lord, in our text, connected fasting with grieving: "Can the friends of the bridegroom fast as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast."

3. The only fast commanded by the Law of Moses was the one which came once a year on the Day of Atonement, the day on which every Israelite was to mourn for his sins as the high priest offered the sin-offering in the Holy of Holies of the temple. See Lev. 23:27-29 and related passages.

4. Other periods of fasting were not wrong. They were allowed, but not necessarily commanded.

5. Since Jesus connects fasting with grieving, He insists it would be improper for His disciples to practice the frequent fasting of the Pharisees while He was with them. To be with Him was a thing of joy, not of grieving.

6. Soon He would be taken away from them by His death on the cross. Then they would mourn, not by commandment, but by the natural circumstances. Thus they grieved for three days as His body lay in the tomb.

7. Then, after three days, their weeping was turned into joy by His resurrection. After remaining among them for another forty days (Acts 1:3), He ascended to heaven. Though He was no longer with them physically, He sent another Comforter, the Holy Spirit as promised in John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27 and 16:7. Thus, even though some Christians may occasionally fast on various occasions, such as the appointment of overseers in a local church, etc., [Acts 14:23], fasting has never been an integral part of New Testament Christianity.

--CRJ