Vol. 04, No. 12

Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

Steven J. Wallace
03/30/25 - Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

“THE MUST LIST”
John Isaac Edwards

“Must” is the strongest word in the English language.

The New Birth. Jesus told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). The new birth is a spiritual birth - “of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:4-6). This spiritual birth is accomplished by the word of God as one obeys the truth. Peter described it this way: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit...Being born again...by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). The second birth is necessary for kingdom entrance as the Lord said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Worship God in Spirit and in Truth. The Lord informed a woman of Samaria, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). This statement knocks the props out from under the notion that it doesn’t make a difference how one worships. There are two vital elements of acceptable worship: spirit and truth. To worship in spirit is to worship from the heart, in sincerity. To worship in truth is to worship according to the word of God as God’s word is truth (John 17:17).

Baptism. Many think being baptized is optional, not really necessary to being saved. The Lord told Saul, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). In the city Saul was told to “arise, and be baptized...” (Acts 22:16). That makes Bible baptism a spiritual must!

The Judgment. Paul wrote the Corinthians, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Are we ready for that day?

Qualifications of Elders and Deacons. All of the abilities and qualities revealed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are imperative, or the word “must” has no meaning! Don’t overlook these statements in your study: “A bishop then must be...” (1 Timothy 3:2). “Moreover he must have...” (1 Timothy 3:7). “Likewise must the deacons be...” (1 Timothy 3:8). “Even so must their wives be...” (1 Timothy 3:11). “For a bishop must be...” (Titus 1:7). When a thing is a must, there are no exceptions or options.

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A TREASURER’S TRIP TO REDEMPTION
By Steven J. Wallace

1. Treasuring Truth (Acts 8:26-28)
The Ethiopian eunuch took a long trip to Jerusalem to worship. This was not a quick trip but was estimated to take 50-75 days! The redemption of the soul is not a quick or painless pursuit. Yet Jesus promised: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6, NKJV).

2. Treasuring Humility (Acts 8:29-33)
Although the eunuch was a man of great authority, he valued understanding the Scriptures correctly. He admitted there were things he could not understand and wanted help in understanding them. Rather than seeing guidance as beneath him, he welcomed it. David wrote, “The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way” (Psa. 25:9).

3. Treasuring Answers (Acts 8:34-35)
The eunuch was confused over who Isaiah had in mind when writing about the suffering Messiah. This text should have been central to many discussions in the first century when people inquired about the Messiah. Beginning at this Scripture, Philip preached Jesus to Him. When confusion exists, preaching Jesus brings clarity—Jesus is the answer! Do we treasure God’s answers today as the eunuch did (Prov. 2:1-5)?

4. Treasuring Salvation (Acts 8:36-38)
After hearing the explanation, the eunuch did not wait for a later opportunity but quickly surrendered himself to Christ in baptism. Why is it that after many claim to preach Jesus today, sinners are not asking, “Here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?” Is it the lack of water or the lack of preaching Jesus? Baptism is the proper response to the preaching of Jesus (Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16).

5. Treasuring Obedience (Acts 8:39)
After baptism, the eunuch “went on his way rejoicing.” True joy comes from knowing one is saved and in fellowship with God. Where is your journey leading you?

Psalm 119:130-132, “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.”

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR HUSBANDS
(Compiled by Steve Rudd)

Thou shalt not take thy wife for granted but will honor and respect her as thy equal (1 Peter 3:7).
Thy highest allegiance, except God, shall be to thy wife, not thy relatives or friends (Genesis 2:24).
Thou shalt frequently tell thy wife how important and valuable she is to thee (Proverbs 31:10-11; Philippians 2:3).
Thou shalt hold thy wife's love by the same means that thou won it (Song of Solomon 5:10-16).
Thou shalt actively establish family discipline with thy wife's help (Ephesians 6:4).
Remember to do all the little things for thy wife when you say you will (Matthew 5:37).
Keep thine eyes on thy own wife, not thy neighbors (Job 31:1; Proverbs 5:15-20; Jeremiah 5:8).
Thou shalt make every effort to see things from thy wife's point of view (Genesis 21:12).
Thou shalt not fail to kiss thy wife every morning (Song of Solomon 8:1).
Thou shalt not be stingy with thy wife when it comes to money (Esther 5:3).

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR WIVES

(Compiled by Steve Rudd)

Expect not thy husband to give thee as many luxuries as thy father hath given thee after many years of hard labor (Amos 4:1; Philippians 4:11).
Thou shalt work hard to build thy house with the husband that you have, not fantasizing about "the one that could have been" (Proverbs 14:1).
Thou shalt not nag … hit him with thine frying pan, it is kindlier (Proverbs 21:19; 27:15).
Thou shalt coddle thy husband and be a warm wife (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).
Remember that the frank approval of thy husband is more to thee than the side glances of many strangers (Ezekiel 16:32; 2 Peter 2:14).
Thou shalt not yell at thy husband but will be a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:1-4).
Permit no one to assure thee that thou art having a hard time (1 Peter 5:9).
Thou shall not fail to dress up for thy husband with an eye to please him, as thou didst before marriage (Song of Solomon 4:9-11).
Thou shalt submit to thy husband from thy heart and allow him to be head of the household (Ephesians 5:33; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:6).
Thou shalt assure thy husband and others that he is the greatest man alive (Song of Solomon 5:9-16; Philippians 2:3).