OceanSide church of Christ

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ACCOUNTABILITY IS BASED UPON “KNOWLEDGE-ABILITY”

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.               Bible teaches that God will hold all men accountable for their actions.

1.               Romans 14:12

 

So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.

 

2.               Matthew 25:19

 

After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

 

3.               Revelation 20:12

 

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:  and another book was opened, which is the book of life:  and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 

B.               Again, the question of accountability has never been disputed.  The age-old question is:  “When do men reach the age of accountability?”

1.               Most will respond:  “When one knows the difference between right and wrong.”

2.               This is a fairly subjective response.  Individuals have been baptized between the ages of 8 and 16 years old.

 

C.              We will not be able to answer this question to everyone’s satisfaction. 

 

D.              Our premise is that accountability and “knowledge-ability” are tied closely together.

 

I.          TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, ONE MUST HAVE “KNOWLEDGE-ABILITY”

 

A.               “Knowledge-ability” refers to an individual’s ability to obtain knowledge.

 

B.               Salvation definitely involves knowledge.

1.               John 8:32

 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

2.               Hebrews 11:6

 

But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

C.              A person must have the mental capacities to ingest information that leads to knowledge.  If one does not have such abilities, God will not hold him accountable.

1.               Infants and toddlers

2.               Those mentally incapacitated from an early age

 

D.              This group has been referred to as being “safe” in the arms of Jesus.

1.               They do not possess sin, so they do not need to be redeemed.

2.               Jesus said that the kingdom of God is made up of those who possess child-like qualities (Matt. 19:14).

 

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:  for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 

E.               Herein lies the problem in the area of accountability.  At what age does one become accountable?

1.               Accountability is based upon one’s knowledge.

2.               This speaker sincerely believes that we have baptized some with far too little knowledge.  Being able to say the words, hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized, is not enough!

3.               There are many things that must be understood.

a.         A concept of sin, the transgression of God’s law

b.         The need for blood to cleanse

c.         Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

d.         The authority of Christ

e.         Repentance

f.          Baptism

g.         The kingdom of God

 

F.               More time and more teaching will produce real faith, less doubts in the future, and fewer baptisms that are “in order to be safe,” a phrase and practice nowhere found in the NT.

 

II.         ACCOUNTABILITY IS BASED UPON “KNOWLEDGE-AVAILABILITY”

 

A.               There are some who have the ability to know, but who do not have knowledge available to them (i.e., those who live in the deep recesses of the dark rain forests).

 

B.               These individuals will be held accountable.  Because they have not heard the truth will not render them guiltless.  Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

 

C.              Argument:  How could God do this?  These people have not even heard the truth.

1.               The Bible plainly teaches that these individuals can know that God exists (Rom. 1:18-20).  Too, if they had desired to know His will, this would have been provided (John 17:17).

 

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

 

2.               The disciples were commissioned to go into “all the world” and preach the gospel to “every creature” (Mark 16:15).  Paul said that he had fulfilled his part in that commission (Col. 1:23).

 

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.

 

If the other apostles completed their responsibilities, then all men at one point had opportunity to hear and obey the gospel.  Thus, people in the world today have forefathers to blame for their ignorance.

 

D.              God is a merciful God, however.  These individuals will not be under as severe judgment as those who had His will readily available to them (Luke 12:47-48).

 

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.  For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

 

 

 

III.        “KNOWLEDGE-ADAPTABILITY” IS INVOLVED IN ACCOUNTABILITY

 

A.               There are those who have both the ability to obtain knowledge and have knowledge available to them.

 

B.               These individuals are responsible for adapting the knowledge of truth to their lives.  The Bible term for this is “obedience” (Matt. 24:45-47).

 

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hat made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

 

C.              Those who know, but do not adapt truth to their lives shall suffer greater punishment.

1.               Luke 12:47

 

And that servant, which new his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

 

2.               Matthew 11:20-24

 

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.  Woe unto you Chorazin!  Woe unto thee, Bethsaida!  For If the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.  And thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell:  for if the might works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.  But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

 

D.              Most who come to our assemblies fall into this category.  They have the ability to acquire knowledge.  Knowledge is presented unto them.  Now, they must adapt the message of truth to their lives.  If they do not, they will suffer punishment greater than the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

 

IV.        ACCOUNTABILITY ALSO INVOLVES “KNOWLEDGE-ANIMOSITY”

 

            A.         John 8:31

 

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

 

B.               Some have the ability to obtain knowledge.  Knowledge has been made available to them.  They have also adapted their lives to that knowledge.  However, they have turned from the truth they once possessed, loved, and lived by.  These will be held accountable in a more severe fashion than anyone (II Pet. 2:20-22).

 

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have know it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.               Again, we must emphasize the accountability and knowledge go hand-in-hand.

 

B.               Once we have come in contact with truth, we better embrace it for the rest of our lives and with every fibre of our being (Prov. 23:23).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCOUNTABILITY IS BASED UPON “KNOWLEDGE-ABILITY”

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.               Bible teaches that God will hold all men accountable for their actions (Rom. 14:12; Matt. 25:19; Rev. 20:12).

B.                Again, the question of accountability has never been disputed.  The age-old question is:  “When do men reach the age of accountability?”

1.                Most will respond:  “When one knows the difference between right and wrong.”

2.                This is a fairly subjective response.  Individuals have been baptized between the ages of 8 and 16.

C.           We will not be able to answer this question to everyone’s satisfaction. 

D.           Our premise is that accountability and “knowledge-ability” are tied closely together.

I.             TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, ONE MUST HAVE “KNOWLEDGE-ABILITY”

A.           “Knowledge-ability” refers to an individual’s ability to obtain knowledge.

B.            Salvation definitely involves knowledge (John 8:32; Heb. 11:6).

C.           A person must have the mental capacities to ingest information that leads to knowledge.  If one does not have such abilities, God will not hold him accountable.

1.            Infants and toddlers

2.            Those mentally incapacitated from an early age

D.           This group has been referred to as being “safe” in the arms of Jesus.

1.            They do not possess sin, so they do not need to be redeemed.

2.            Jesus said that the kingdom of God is made up of those who possess child-like qualities (Matt. 19:14).

E.            Herein lays the problem in the area of accountability.  At what age does one become accountable?

1.            Accountability is based upon one’s knowledge.

2.            This speaker sincerely believes that we have baptized some with far too little knowledge.  Being able to say the words, hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized, is not enough!

3.                There are many things that must be understood:  sin, the blood of Christ, Jesus is the Son of God, the authority of Christ, repentance, baptism, and the kingdom.

F.            More time and more teaching will produce real faith, less doubts in the future, and fewer baptisms that are “in order to be safe,” a phrase and practice nowhere found in the NT.

II.           ACCOUNTABILITY IS BASED UPON “KNOWLEDGE-AVAILABILITY”

A.           There are some who have the ability to know, but who do not have knowledge available to them (i.e., those who live in the deep recesses of the dark rain forests).

B.            These individuals will be held accountable.  Because they have not heard the truth will not render them guiltless.  Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

C.           Argument:  How could God do this?  These people have not even heard the truth.

               1.            The Bible plainly teaches that these individuals can know that God exists (Rom. 1:18-20).  Too, if

they had desired to know His will, this would have been provided (John 17:17).

2.            The disciples were commissioned to go into “all the world” and preach the gospel to “every

creature” (Mark 16:15).  Paul said that he had fulfilled his part in that commission (Col. 1:23).

If the other apostles completed their responsibilities, then all men at one point had opportunity to hear and obey the gospel.  Thus, people in the world today have forefathers to blame for their ignorance.

D.           God is a merciful God, however.  These individuals will not be under as severe judgment as those who had His will readily available to them (Luke 12:47-48).

III.          “KNOWLEDGE-ADAPTABILITY” IS INVOLVED IN ACCOUNTABILITY

A.               here are those who have both the ability to obtain knowledge and have knowledge available to them.

B.                These individuals are responsible for adapting the knowledge of truth to their lives.  The Bible term for this is “obedience” (Matt. 24:45-47).

C.               Those who know, but do not adapt truth to their lives shall suffer greater punishment (Luke 12:47; Matthew 11:20-24).

D.               Most who come to our assemblies fall into this category.  They have the ability to acquire knowledge.  Knowledge is presented unto them.  Now, they must adapt the message of truth to their lives.  If they do not, they will suffer punishment greater than the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

IV.          ACCOUNTABILITY ALSO INVOLVES “KNOWLEDGE-ANIMOSITY”

               A.           John 8:31

B.            Some have the ability to obtain knowledge.  Knowledge has been made available to them.  They have also adapted their lives to that knowledge.  However, they have turned from the truth they once possessed, loved, and lived by.  These will be held accountable in a more severe fashion than anyone (II Pet. 2:20-22).

CONCLUSION

A.           Again, we must emphasize the accountability and knowledge go hand-in-hand.

B.            Once we have come in contact with truth, we better embrace it for the rest of our lives and with every fiber of our being (Prov. 23:23).

 

ACCOUNTABILITY IS BASED UPON “KNOWLEDGE-ABILITY”

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.               Bible teaches that God will hold ____ men accountable for their actions (Rom. 14:12; Matt. 25:19; Rev. 20:12).

B.                Again, the question of accountability has never been disputed.  The age-old question is:  “_________ do men reach the age of accountability?”

1.            Most will respond:  “When one knows the difference between ___________ and ___________.”

2.            This is a subjective response.  Youth have been baptized between the ages of 8 and 16 years old.

C.           We will not be able to answer this question to everyone’s satisfaction. 

D.           premise is that accountability and “____________________-ability” are tied closely together.

I.             TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, ONE MUST HAVE “KNOWLEDGE-ABILITY”

               A.           Knowledge-ability” refers to an individual’s ability to ______________ knowledge.

B.            _______________ definitely involves knowledge (John 8:32; Heb. 11:6).

C.           erson must have the mental _______________ to ingest information that leads to knowledge.  If one does not have such abilities, God will not hold him accountable.

1.            Infants and toddlers

                              2.            The mentally incapacitated from an early age

D.           This group has been referred to as being “_____________” in the arms of Jesus.

1.            They do not possess sin, so they do not need to be redeemed.

2.            Jesus said that the kingdom of God is made up of those who possess ____________-like qualities (Matt. 19:14).

E.            Herein lies the problem in the area of accountability.  At what age does one become accountable?

1.            Accountability is based upon one’s knowledge.

2.            This speaker sincerely believes that we have baptized some with far too __________ knowledge.  Being able to say the words, hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized, is ________ enough!

3.            There are many things that must be understood:  sin, the blood of Christ, Jesus is the Son of God, the authority of Christ, repentance, baptism, and the kingdom.

F.            More time and more teaching will produce real __________, less ____________ in the future, and fewer baptisms that are “in order to be safe,” a phrase and practice nowhere found in the NT.

II.           ACCOUNTABILITY IS BASED UPON “KNOWLEDGE-_________________________”

A.           There are some who have the ability to know, but who do not have knowledge available to them (i.e., those who live in the deep recesses of the dark rain forests).

B.            These individuals _________ be held accountable.  Because they have not heard the truth will not render them guiltless.  _____________________ of the law is no excuse.

C.           Argument:  How could God do this?  These people have not even heard the truth.

1.            The Bible plainly teaches that these individuals can know that God ________ (Rom. 1:18-20).  Too, if they had desired to know His will, this would have been provided (John 17:17).

2.            The disciples were commissioned to go into “all the world” and preach the gospel to “every creature” (Mark 16:15).  Paul said that he had fulfilled his part in that commission (Col. 1:23).  If the other apostles completed their responsibilities, then all men at one point had opportunity to hear and obey the gospel.  Thus, people in the world today have _____________ to blame for their ignorance.

D.           God is a merciful God, however.  These individuals will not be under as ____________ judgment as those who had His will readily available to them (Luke 12:47-48).

III.          “KNOWLEDGE-______________________” IS INVOLVED IN ACCOUNTABILITY

A.               There are those who have both the ability to obtain knowledge and have knowledge available to them.

B.                These individuals are responsible for adapting the knowledge of truth to their lives.  The Bible term for this is “____________________” (Matt. 24:45-47).

C.               Those who know, but do not adapt truth to their lives shall suffer _______________ punishment (Luke 12:47; Matthew 11:20-24).

D.               Most who come to our assemblies fall into this category.  They have the ability to acquire knowledge.  Knowledge is presented unto them.  Now, they must adapt the message of truth to their lives.  If they do not, they will suffer punishment greater than the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

IV.          ACCOUNTABILITY ALSO INVOLVES “KNOWLEDGE-_______________________”

A.               John 8:31

B.                Some have the ability to obtain knowledge.  Knowledge has been made available to them.  They have also adapted their lives to that knowledge.  However, they have __________ from the truth they once possessed, loved, and lived by.  These will be held accountable in a more severe fashion than anyone (II Pet. 2:20-22).

CONCLUSION

A.               Again, we must emphasize the accountability and _____________________ go hand-in-hand.

B.                Once we have come in contact with truth, we better embrace it for the rest of our lives and with every fiber of our being (Prov. 23:23).