The Bible Standard - Re-Discover the Truth.

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**The Bible Standard – Re-Discover the Truth.**

Christadelphians Talk about various subjects concerning True Bible Teaching.

Latest Episodes:

'Fellowship' 2/2 with Harry Tennant Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

'Fellowship' 2/2 with Harry Tennant

“THE PEACE OF GOD” Phil 4:4-7 Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

“The peace of God” is of a totally different character to human concepts of peace. Paul tells the Philippians, “do not be anxious about anything.” Feeling anxious gets in the way of the kind of “peace” God alone can give. Instead, Paul tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always … by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God … and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [4 v.4-7]

Let us be particularly conscious of the need for “thanksgiving” for all our blessings. Moses’ challenge to the nation of Israel was to remember the blessings of the LORD and how he had “led” them through the wilderness. [Deut. 8 v.2] We are travelling through the wilderness of this world. Does it seem like a wilderness? It does if we are really spiritually minded.

Paul’s wonderful words should be absorbed into our minds – and then we will have the essential strength to do, as Paul told the Philippians, to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” [2 v,12] But how can that give us the kind of peace Paul is writing about?

We take special note of his next words, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” [v.13] We gain an ever greater sense of “peace” the more we sense “we are God’s fellow workers” and have become part of “God’s building,” [1 Cor. 3 v.9]

The wonderful experience then will be, as Paul told the Ephesians and we read 3 days ago, we will have ” the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” [6 v.13]

Returning to our chapter in Philippians, let us read and memorise verses 8,9, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

“COME AND HEAR WHAT THE WORD IS …” Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

We have a conscience challenging chapter (33) in Ezekiel today. We learn that the prophet has been in captivity among the other Jews for 12 years and 10 months when the hopes of those there are finally extinguished, by news coming from “a fugitive from Jerusalem (who) came “and said, ‘The city has been struck down.’” [v.21]

The LORD then makes Ezekiel aware of the reaction of the people to the messages he has been giving them, “… your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.”[v.30-32]

Clearly the LORD knew all their hearts, as he does now – and we can see strong comparisons – and warnings for ourselves. Are our “hearts set” more on this world and the “gain” we can get? It does not necessarily mean money! But we must each ask ourselves – examine our hearts – what are the things that fill our time – what things mainly occupy our minds. How much do we have in mind the words of our Lord, “do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” [Matt 6 v.31-33] What wondrous things will then be added in the kingdom!

Is there any point in witnessing today? Ezekiel may have thought that! After being told by the Lord, “I will make … her proud might … come to an end” the Lord then makes a significant point to him, “Then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” [v.28,33] What will they “know” of you and I? A significant point for us to bear in mind are the powerful words of Paul we read today as he brought his letter to the Ephesians to a climax, “… take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm … praying at all times” [6 v.13] Let us read and hear what God’s word reveals – with our hearts absorbing its message so that we gain essential strength and so “stand firm” in these final godless days.

“SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE” Ephesians 4:14-15 Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

How wonderful to know what is true – the Truth that the Bible alone reveals. Yet how often do we see examples in history of such knowledge causing people to be “puffed up” and pleased with themselves – an attitude which undermines their privilege in understanding the real truth in a world full of burgeoning human knowledge and self-centredness. Paul counselled Timothy (whom he left in Ephesus) to be on his guard against believers who were “puffed up with conceit.” [1 Tim 3 v.6 and 6 v.4]

All believers have to be on their guard against this danger, created by the nature of the human mind, “until” writes Paul, as we read today, “we … attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” [Eph.4 v.13] “Fullness” is not a word we use these days. Paul used it in ch. 3 when he challenged the Ephesians (and us!) “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” [v.19]

When this “fullness” is achieved, says Paul, in ch. 4, we will “no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning … Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”[v.14,15]

Then, and only then, are we able to “grow up in every way … into Christ.” Let us each make sure that our part is “working properly.” The foundation for doing that is to be “speaking the truth in love.” May we all have that “foundation” in place – and daily make at least a little progress in growing – realizing that our meditative daily readings are an essential ingredient in doing that.

“BUT GOD WAS DISPLEASED.” 1 Chronicles 21:7 Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Our Chronicles reading today highlights David’s folly in getting Joab, the commander of the army, to total the number of men in Israel’s armies. “But God”, we read, “was displeased with this thing and he struck Israel” [1 Chron.21:7] Why was God displeased? What motivated David to number the strength of his army? The text does not specifically say, but does the strength of an army, from God’s point of view, depend on its size?

Had David forgotten the lessons of the past, such as how God restricted Gideon to only 300 fighting men to defeat the Midianites. The close friend of his youth, Saul’s son Jonathan had, with his armour bearer set out to fight a large band of Philistines, saying, “It maybe the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.” [1 Samuel 14:6]

David’s conscience later smote him as he realized he had done wrong. After all his faith strengthening experiences his vision of the ways of God momentarily lapsed. He was getting older and it is a lesson for us, whatever our age, not to let slip our vision of Godly ways as we plot the way ahead in our lives. We must never forget that – we do not walk alone – if we have committed our lives to God through baptism into Christ.

The other lesson is that we are not fighting with literal swords! When we are committed to the service of Christ, we have spiritual battles to fight. Let us never think that the “enemy” – whatever form that enemy may take, is too strong for us, for we do not fight alone.

Another point we to note [2 Sam.24:1] is that God was angry with Israel, so he used the occasion of David’s pride getting the better of him, to teach David a lesson as well as to bring judgement on Israel who may well have become too humanly elated and proud because of their battle successes in conquering their enemies.

As we read God’s word we will, again and again, see situations where God uses human mistakes and follies. He weaves these situations into his overall plan and purpose. We will see that more clearly if we try to step back and see “the big picture.”

“… ONLY FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE” Galatians 5:6 Oct 04, 2026

Show notes

The word “faith” is special to the New Testament. Where it occurs in the Old Testament, it is most often about breaches of trust. The contrast between the Old and the New, is the need, under the Mosaic Law to observe the rules of the Law in the right spirit, and this they largely failed to do except when they had a righteous king, especially under David and Solomon.

In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees had turned the precepts of the Law into rituals to be observed. When Paul, after his conversion went out preaching he started his message in the local synagogue when there was one which there usually was. Most of the converted Jews, although accepting Christ as the Messiah were putting a lot of emphasis on still keeping the Law and observing circumcision. In counteracting this, as we read today in Galatians Paul challenges them, “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness” [5 v.4,5].

The Law keepers, and they included the observance of circumcision, knew nothing about “grace” – they ‘earned’ salvation through their observances. The next verse (6] is, in a sense, Paul’s ‘punch line.’ – “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” This reminds us of the words in Isaiah, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.'” [Isa 7 v.9] That is, about anything in life, you will be driven here and there by the winds of opinion, which is what is happening in our world today – and there is a kind of parallel in a lot of Christianity.

Christ’s followers are ‘free’ from the need to observe the ritual of the Law. Paul tells them, “for you were called to freedom brothers” and then makes a vital point, “do not use that freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” [v.13] Let us all do that today. Our Lord set the example in doing that, may our lives constantly demonstrate our “faith working through love.”

“WHO AM I LORD?” 1 Chron 17:16 Oct 03, 2026

Show notes

We have 3 thought challenging readings today. Our thoughts primarily dwelt on David’s reaction to being told of a special son and that “the throne of his kingdom … I will establish forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son … his throne shall be established forever” [1 Chron. 17 v.12-14 ] David is overwhelmed by God’s reaction to his desire to build a Temple, especially his reference to a “son” for God!

The message Nathan the prophet conveyed to him – that God would “build a house” for David – meaning a royal line of descent – like those on the throne of England are of ‘the house of Windsor’- and this house “shall be established forever” – completely humbles David. How many times Jesus is called, by those seeing his miracles, “Son of David” [Matt. 21 v.9,15; 22 v.42, &c] This in particular upset the religious leaders.

It is the reaction of David that particularly attracts, nay, more than that, demands our attention! “King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O LORD God! And what more can David say to you for honouring your servant? For you know your servant.” [v.16-18]

We specially notice that final observation, “for you know your servant” That is a special sense of “know” – of having an intimate relationship – and this is wonderfully illustrated in some of David’s Psalms, Psalm 139 being a heart-moving example. We parallel this with the primary point Paul is striving to make in writing to the Galatians. He tells them, “in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” [3 v.26] and “heirs according to the promise” [v.29]

Is our reaction to “the promise” in any way like Davids’ ? Do we “sit” or even kneel or lay down “before the Lord”? If our faith is genuine there surely can be at least one or two special occasions when we will. Paul tells them, they “have come to know God, or rather to be known by God …” [4 v.9] What sense of wonder and resultant commitment this should cause us! Does it? Is it in any way parallel to David’s reaction, “Who am I LORD?”

Signs of Christ's Return, Part 2 with Harry Tennant Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Signs of Christ's Return, Part 2 with Harry Tennant

'Fellowship' 1/2 Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

The Christadelphians: #24 'Fellowship' 1/2

“WHEN I GATHER … ISRAEL” Ezekiel 28-25 Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

The final two verses of our reading of ch. 28 in Ezekiel today fit the scene in and around Israel fairly accurately so that we are inclined to dogmatically apply it to the circumstances we have witnessed in the Middle East in recent years. Yet such is the nature of many parts of the prophecies that appear to relate to the latter days, some specifically stating they do, that we hesitate to be too dogmatic here.

We read, “And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbours who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD. Thus says the Lord GOD: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbours who have treated them with contempt.”

And then the chapter ends with, “ Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.” How close are we to that happening? It surely needs the return of Christ! How soon? “No one knows the hour or the day” [Mark 13 v.32] Jesus did not even know – at least – did not know during his first coming.

Looking back at that v. 25, we see today how all the neighbouring countries, for nearly 70 years, have tried to treat regathered Israel with contempt – and have failed.

In a sense judgments have been executed upon their neighbours, all, except Jordan have experienced civil wars, and to some extent, still do, within their borders. Even Jordan is perplexed by the avalanche of refugees from Syria and the endless existence of Palestinian Camps.

The song/prayer of Psalm 83 seems so appropriate. May the day soon come when God acts to “fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name O LORD … that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth” [v.16,18]

But what of ourselves, we are not just spectators of the behaviour of today’s godless nations! May we all make v.20 of our reading today in Galatians ch. 2 the focus of thought for the rest of our lives, for truly, we can say with Paul, if we are committed to Christ, “It is no longer I who live …”

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