The Elders of Omaha Bible Church gathered for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 17, 2023. We began our discussion by reviewing the financial reports for the month of September.

September averaged 377 in attendance for the month. We praise the Lord that so many were able to hear the teaching of God’s Word concerning the goodness of God’s salvation offered in Christ as well as be encouraged and edified through the ministry of the body.

Total general fund giving for September was $63,760 towards our expenses of $68,450. We are very grateful that we were financially able to complete the ductwork in the auditorium as well as host the Fall Pactum conference.

With the aid of our savings, we are thankful that we will be able to meet our budget for fall ministries. We are filled with gratitude for the Lord’s continued provision both spiritually and physically within His local body. We are reminded that “from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36).

The elders discussed the ministry opportunities that the Lord has graciously entrusted to OBC. We were greatly encouraged by the fruit of the Pactum Conference.

We discussed the benefits of using the Pactum as the focus of the conference as it enabled OBC to encourage and strengthen ministry leaders representing various denominations and churches throughout the United States as well as provide a global influence.

At the same time, the Pactum conference allowed the members of OBC to partner together in the service of the ministry of the gospel to encourage conference attendees. Pat Abendroth, Mike Abendroth, D.G. Hart, and Michael Beck each contributed to the theme “All Things New.”  

Beginning the conference, Pastor Pat focused on the theme of the new creation in the book of Revelation, specifically that the New Creation is an already-not yet gift of God's grace that comes down from heaven through the work of Christ.

The already aspect involves the salvation and spiritual benefits of Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension provided by the Spirit through faith in the heart of His people (Colossians 3:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17). The not yet aspect looks forward to the consummation of Christ's work in the New Creation, the Heavenly City that comes down from above as a gift (Revelation 21:1). Both aspects are grace-gifts from heaven grounded in Christ's work. Neither the already nor the not-yet aspect of the New Creation are built from the resources of this Old Creation world.   

D.G. Hart opened his lecture series giving an example for the present church by drawing life-lessons from the ministry of theologian J. Gresham Machen. Machen lived in light of the already-not yet impact of the gospel of the New Creation in his battle with religious liberalism, a religion characterized by collapsing the not yet into the already and thereby denying the supernatural-grace of Christ's person and work. 

Hart followed with a second lecture tracing the errors of collapsing the not-yet aspect into the already through the effort of trying to build the New Creation transformatively and politically from human efforts. 

Pastor Mike Abendroth provided a resounding warning with regard to the heretical teaching of a final justification grounded in the believer's works. This is the re-packaged teaching of Rome that Protestants rejected. Rather, the believer's final justification is grounded in the work of the finished wrath-bearing judgment of Christ for sinners at the cross and the declaration of Christ's resurrection (Romans 4:25).

Works pertaining to the believer belong to the category of the fruit of faith-union with Christ, operate out of the principle of gratitude and thanksgiving, and evidence the fruit of salvation-life of Christ. Unbelievers at the Great Throne Judgment will be judged by the book of works (Revelation 20:11-14), while in stark contrast, believers will appear already glorified, with their names written in the Lamb's book of life (Revelation 20:15), because of the already-final justification accomplished by Christ's cross and resurrection. 

Finally, Michael Beck highlighted the New Creation themes in Scripture by observing the patterns of redemption and glorification that run through the Old Testament, progressing and growing in a heightened movement to the cross and resurrection of Jesus and the coming of Christ in the New Creation to judge the world and deliver His people.

What a blessing that 400 registered people were encouraged at the Pactum conference including pastors, leaders, and members of the body of Christ. Charles Spurgeon noted over a century and a half ago that a theologian is one who understands the law (what God requires) and gospel (what God provided through Jesus). Likewise, we are immensely thankful for pastors and teachers who not only understand the law and gospel distinction but are adept at applying law and gospel to the complex issues of life and ministry. Praise God for blessing the body with gifted leaders who love Christ, His Word, and His people.

Indeed, these are exciting days for Omaha Bible Church. We rejoice that we can be in partnership together with each of you in the advancement of the gospel in Omaha and around the globe.

Our hearts echo Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:4-5, “always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.”

On behalf of the elders, Chris Peterson