In tribute to the profound writings of Mike Benson and Curtis Cates, this episode explores the essence of worthiness in God’s sight. We question what it means to be worthy in a spiritual context and how we can walk worthy of the gospel. Additionally, discover our special free publication for children — ‘Discovery’, that marries scripture with science, addressing contemporary teachings like evolution and creation. Don’t miss this session for deep insights into faith and spirituality.
Today from the International Gospel Hour, it’s a two-for-one study as we reach back for some awesome writings of days gone by. So stay with us.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour.
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For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
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I am bound for the promised land.
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Well, greetings everyone. Great having you with us today for our broadcast from International Gospel Hour. And a special thank you always to our J-Web, who will have some good information for you coming up concerning our studies of the Word of God. Very quickly, our mailing address is P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334 as we serve under the oversight of the West Fayetteville, Tennessee Church of Christ. That’s P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. Our toll-free number, 24-7 available all time, 855-444-6988. As a matter of fact, give us a call and tell us where you’re listening to our broadcast from. and as always, our website, internationalgospelhour.com. Today, friends, this is a two-for-one broadcast, and from the very outset, thou allow me to welcome the writings of Mike Benson and the late Curtis Cates. But first, and speaking of writings, this is a good time to mention our free publication offer of this program, and here is our J-Web.
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Our special free publication today is called Discovery, Scripture and Science for Kids. For over 20 years, our friends at ApologeticsPress.org have made this great resource possible to help our children in dealing with such teachings as evolution, dinosaurs, creation, and a variety of biblical subjects written on a child’s level. We at International Gospel Hour have been blessed with a very limited number of these, and you can get your free copy today by calling toll-free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Discovery. That’s it. Again, that’s 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Discovery. You can also send your request through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave us your name and address and put reason in the message box. We will send you a copy. Again, we only have a very limited number, so reach out to us now.
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We turn back the clock to power of January 1999. The question, what’s the difference? Answered by Mike Benson. The question brought forth, what is the difference between Holy Spirit baptism, water baptism, and the baptism of fire? Please explain. Here we go. This is an in-depth question. Briefly, let’s notice the following distinctions. Holy Spirit baptism was a promise to representatives of all flesh. We note this to the Jews in Acts 2, the Gentiles in Acts 10 and 11. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions, and also on my menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days. prophesied in Joel 2, verses 28 and 29, taught by Jesus in Matthew 3, 11, and John 1, 33, and in Acts 1, verses 2 through 5. However, friends, let’s notice the following characteristics of holy baptism. According to John 14, 17, it was not for all men, but it was an act of the Lord. administered by the Lord, Matthew 3.11 and John 1.33, and given for the purpose of revealing and confirming the word, John 16.13 and Hebrews 2.4. And it was not promised after Ephesians 4.4 and 5. Water baptism is a command to all mankind. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28, 19. Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16, 15 and 16 and Acts 10, 48. Accordingly, this baptism possesses the following characteristics. It is for all men. It is an act of man’s obedience. It is to be administered by men. Matthew 28, 19 and with Philip and the eunuch in Acts 8, 38. It is to be administered in the name of or by the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is to be administered as a condition of salvation, 1 Peter 3, 20 and 21 and Acts 2, 38. And it is to continue until the end of the world, Matthew 28, 20. Now the baptism of fire is a threat to all who are disobedient. John answered, saying to them all, I indeed baptize you with water, but one mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn, but the shaft he will burn with unquenchable fire. Luke 3, 16 and 17 and Matthew 3, 11. Therefore, friends, in summary, the following is true of the baptism of fire. It will be for all rebellious men, Revelation 21.8 and Matthew 13.41 and 42. It will be an act of the Lord’s vengeance, 2 Thessalonians 1.7-10. And it will commence at the end of the world, 2 Peter 3.7. And it will continue throughout all eternity, Matthew 18.8, Matthew 25.41 and Mark 9.45. Realizing that is a loaded question of the difference between Holy Spirit baptism, water baptism, and the baptism of fire, but the Mike Benson does a good job in breaking those down to help us to understand God’s teaching on these matters. Friends, we want to continue to encourage your study of the things that be of God, we will find this a great time to pause and allow our J-Web to tell you about our Bible study course available by mail. Here is our J-Web.
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Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
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And now, from the Yolk Fellow of the Memphis School of Preaching, Memphis, Tennessee, we turn the clock back to November 18, 1996. Awesome article, worthy in God’s sight by the late Curtis Gates. Our Lord said, But you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. Revelation 3, 4. Of what were they counted worthy, and how did they become worthy? The Scriptures tell us of what we should become worthy. that we should walk worthily of God, who has called you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2 and verse 2. Second, to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing. Colossians 1.10. In 2 Thessalonians 1 verse 11, that our God may count you worthy of your calling. And in Philippians 1.27, only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. We offer you, number five, that they are accounted worthy to attain to that world and are sons of God, Luke 20, 35 and 36. Six, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, 2 Thessalonians 1, 5. Seventh, they shall walk with me in white garments, for they are worthy, Revelation 3, 4. Number eight, they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, heaven, and the resurrection from the dead, Luke 20, 35. So, friends, without question, one is accounted worthy through God’s grace, redemption, through the precious blood of Christ. But, is that all that is involved? It is true that we do not, or rather, is it true that we do not contribute one whit to our salvation? Does a person do anything to become worthy? Well, a good question is, can we contribute one whit to our destruction? The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not ready. Matthew 22, 8. And he that does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10, 38. Can one do things worthy of stripes? Luke 12, 47 and 48. And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said it was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken to you, seeing you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life. Well, lo, we turn to the Gentiles, Acts 13, 46. Did they contribute one whit to their destruction, dear reader? And if so, well, the opposite has to be true. How can one become worthy? Well, one, a person must love Christ supremely and bear His cross, Matthew 10, 37 and 38. He must walk worthily, increasing in the knowledge of God, Colossians 1, 10, thereby being strengthened, Colossians 1, 11. One must walk worthy, bearing fruit of the Lord unto all pleasing, Colossians 1, 10. God’s child must grow in faith and brotherly love to be counted worthy, 2 Thessalonians 1, 3 and 5. Walk worthily, forbearing one another in love, Ephesians 4 and verse 2. The Christian must walk worthily, giving thanks unto the Father, Colossians 1.12. Saints must refuse to defile their garments, Revelation 3.4. And one must labor for the crown, Luke 10.7 and Matthew 20.1-16. The child of God must not depart into the far country of sin, Luke 15.21. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 1, 11 and 12, To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling and fulfill every desire of goodness and every work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus be glorified in you and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, we do contribute to our salvation. We can be worthy in God’s sight with all God provides for us. Wow, what a great article. In depth, but thorough and biblical. And I appreciate Curtis Cates. He was a dear friend. Thankful to share the things that he has brought forth. Friends, we appreciate you joining us today for our article segment. We love to bring that from time to time. Again, if we can be of any help to you with your studies, reach out to us at 855-444-6988. Request a free home Bible study. All we need is your name and address, and we will help you. But for now, we’re going to continue our studies together. And thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
