Truth Magazine

By Robert C. Welch

“I have traveled over the nation and somewhat over the world and have visited many churches, but I want to know whether or not you are ecumenical.”

That is a hard question to answer with just a yes or no. Too many things are involved and too many ideas exist as to what the word means. Perhaps you need to explain just what you mean.

“First, then, let me ask if you belong to a world wide organization or denomination.”

There are churches of Christ like this congregation scattered over the nation and over the world. But they are not part of denomination or organization. Each congregation is complete and autonomous. No function of worship, work or government, depends upon, or is connected with, another congregation. If you ask about my personal relationship, I belong to Christ, as do all others who have been born again; thus all of us are subjects of his kingdom, or members of his body, making up his ecclesid or church. In this last sense I am ecumenical or universal. But if you refer to the congregation or church wherein I worship and work, it is not ecumenical; that is, it is not a part of a denominational organization.

“Do you not think that all the churches and all those who believe in Christ are in the one church universal?”

That is the thinking of most of those who belong to Protestant denominations. But it is not a biblical concept. Roman Catholics have traditionally held that they are the universal or ecumenical church. In recent years they are not so strongly stressing that, but are yielding to the usual denominational idea. The fact is the Bible teaches that not all who say they believe in Christ are actually acceptable to him. In that great sermon on the mount he said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23). So the field of your ecumenism. is narrowed. Only those who are staying within the word (versus iniquity) in what they do make up the Lord’s people.

“But you did not deal with my question about all denominations making up the whole of the church. Is not each denomination a part of the world wide or ecumenical church?”

That is not the way it is presented in the Bible. Jesus gave a parable of the vine and its branches for the disciples, and our, benefit. In its application he says, “I am the vine” (John 15:5). Then he says to those disciples, “Ye are the branches” (v. 5). Lest they and people today think that because the plural is used this includes the denominations he goes on to specify what the branch is: “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6). The branches are not denominations. The branches are disciples. They are to abide in Christ; not to be in a denomination which in turn is in him. The Bible says nothing about denominations. They are the product of man’s doctrine, one of those works which the Lord condemns in Matthew 7:21-23, the passage we cited earlier.

“I have been reading where some churches of Christ and some Christian Churches have been getting together to study about having unity; are you not even that ecumenical?”

There is nothing in the Bible that indicates that two or more churches are to have unity unless they are to become one congregation. As has already been said, one congregation has no organic or organizational connection with any other. This notion of ecumenicity is the denominational concept of a federation of churches, and has no basis in Bible teaching.

As a Christian, I may go about among other Christians and churches of Christ, having fellowship or partnership with them in worship and work. There is nothing said in the Bible, however, which gives me the right to make any arrangements for some connection between the congregation of which I am a member and some other congregation, because no such organic connection is provided.

– Reprinted from the Northern Kentucky Light

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 13, p. 389
July 7, 1988

By J.F. Dancer, Jr.

During the week of March 7 1 heard a debate in West Point, Mississippi, where Darrell Holt defended churches making donations to institutions such as Magnolia Bible College. Brother Holt made the following arguments in the defense of his position: (1) The Bible teaches in four ways: (a) example, (b) implication, (c) direct command, and (d) expediency. He further said that “expediencies” were not spelled out in the Bible, that they were left up to the judgment of men. Since Jesus commanded teaching (Matt. 28:18,19) and we have an example of early Christians teaching (Acts 8:4) and since Magnolia Bible College teaches the Bible it is expedient for churches to make donations to it. And, (2) Paul taught daily in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9,10). Churches supported Paul while he was teaching in this school. Therefore, it is scriptural for churches to send donations to Magnolia Bible College for the support of men who are teaching the Bible daily in that school.

Roosevelt Johnson pointed out that while it is true that Paul taught in the school of Tyrannus for two years, it is an assumption that he was supported by the church while he did so. And, even if churches did support him while he taught in the school of Tyrannus, it is an assumption that they sent donations to the school for this to be done. He said that he (Roosevelt Johnson) taught a Bible class in the Mississippi University for Women at Columbus and that the church supported him as he did that but that did not mean they made a donation to the University for his support. His point was well made in that they sent the support to him!

It was also pointed out that in order for something to be expedient in the first place it has to be lawful and that brother Holt had not shown a church donation to a human institution was lawful. Brother Johnson pointed out that an expedient is simply an aid or method and that the Bible authorizes us to use aids and/or methods in carrying out the commands of God. But the command authorizes the aid and/or method! Thus, an expediency can be authorized by either an approved example, a necessary inference or a direct statement or command, but an expediency does not authorize anything!

In order to show it is expedient for churches to send donations to Magnolia Bible College, one must show it lawful for churches to make donations to human institutions. The church is to teach the Bible (1 Tim. 3:15). Individuals must go forth to do that teaching (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 8:4). They have the right to be supported by a church or churches as they teach or preach the Bible (1 Cor. 9:14; 2 Cor. 11:8). So far as I know few folks deny this. This authorizes churches to use an expedient method or aid to get the money to the preacher. But it does not authorize them to make a donation to a human institution so it (the institution) can pick a man to support, decide upon his salary, and then support him. This is not a matter of a church using an expediency but simply of a church making a donation to an institution that uses expediencies to support a man to teach the Bible in one of their classrooms.

To give a preacher a check for his support would be an expediency. To send this check to him via the United States Post Office would also be an expediency. It would also be expedient for the church to arrange an “electronic transfer of funds” from their bank to the bank of the man they are supporting. This is simply a church using means and/or methods (aids) in getting the support to the preacher. All such is authorized by the authority of the church to support a man as he teaches or preaches. But to make a donation to a human institution and then allow that human institution to choose the man, decide upon his support and then use some means and/or methods to get that support to him is another matter and is not authorized by the Scriptures. Brother Holt affirmed Magnolia to be a human institution but failed to show authority for church donations.

Maybe one of those in authority at Magnolia Bible College could do a better job showing where the Bible authorizes churches to send donations to them in order for them to do their work. If their work is based upon “assumptions” (assuming Paul was supported churches when he taught in the school of Tyrannus and assuming the. churches sent the support to the school instead of to Paul) and upon the idea that “the Bible teaches by expediency,” they need to take another good look at it! And if this is what they are teaching the men they are “training to preach” churches would do well to examine them well before giving them support or providing them a pulpit from which to preach. If brother Holt didn’t fairly represent Magnolia Bible College, will they do it themselves?

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 13, pp. 387-388
July 7, 1988

By Larry Ray Hafley

Whether man acknowledges it or not, God possesses three relationships to him. These are: (1) Creator and Sustainer, (2) Redeemer and Savior, (3) Judge and Executioner. The Bible’s fabric is woven on the loom of this sacred trio. Nearly all major themes of Scripture have these facts as their foundation, if not their substance. Try your hands at disputing and disproving it if you doubt or deny it.

I. Creator and Sustainer

When God reproved his people, when he warned and admonished them, he often appealed to his office as Creator and Sustainer to justify his majesty and mastery and to humble the defiant (Isa. 40; Psa. 73; 90; 139). Paul’s awesome and fearful condemnation of the alien mind is justified “because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful. . . . Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more (rather) than the Creator” (Rom. 1:21,25).

We live in a world of unbelief. Men, like animals, go about their pursuits with no thought of their origin, let alone their destiny. Men and societies generally conduct themselves in accord with the concept they have of their nature. Again, in Romans 1, the degradation of body and soul did not commence until men cast God out of their thinking “and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man” (Rom. 1: 18-32). It should not, therefore, be surprising to us today when we see, hear and read of the ungodliness, unrighteousness and gross, blatant immorality that surrounds us. Our society is merely reaping the harvest of its philosophies. Entertainment mediums and worldly life styles simply reflect the road and route men will travel when they have no respect or regard for their Creator and Sustainer. If we are the offspring, not of God, but of blind, random, aimless, mindless evolutionary processes, then our behavior will have no base, nor root, no anchor.

The only way to lead men from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, is to cause them to know that God is their Father, their Support, and that in him “we live, move and have our very being. ” The man or nation that does not admit it cannot be led to repentance.

II. Redeemer and Savior

Closely linked to the view of Creator and Sustainer is that of Redeemer and Savior. Man recognizes his need for salvation. His level of consciousness concerning deliverance, however, is inextricably welded to this ideas of himself. Liberal theology seeks for redemption from human miseries, i.e., ignorance, poverty and disease. The religion that will not begin with God rather than man, with the spirit rather than the flesh, with the mind rather than matter will always strive for man’s needs, the flesh’s desires and matter’s preeminence.

Consequently, Paul’s appeal to humanistic, heathen pagans often began with “God that made the world and all things therein” (Acts 17:24). Scripture reveals that man cannot aspire to the gospel’s “eternal life” until he is cognizant of his position before his Creator and Sustainer (cf. Acts 14:15-17). The summons to repentance falls on uncircumcised hearts and ears when the audience does not know God as its author, father and provider. Preaching to Epicurean and Stoic philosophers avails nothing until, or unless, their minds comprehend the true nature of “The Unknown Go (Acts 17:18ff.). So, in a world where man is the consequence of accidental evolution, the preaching of the cross is foolishness. Those “whose God is their belly” can only respond to a gospel that is of the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life. Spiritual socialism breeds and feeds in the warm climate of atheism and humanism. To see God as Redeemer and Savior, one first must see him as Creator and Sustainer.

III. Judge and Executioner

“There is one . . . who is able to save and to destroy” (Jas. 4:12). “And fear not them which are able to kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell” (Matt. 10:28).

What has the carnal mind of unbelief to fear? It is oblivious to a judge and an executioner. It is unaware of a reckoning before a bar of justice. It is blind to the stroke of an executor, one who is sufficient to carry out the sentence of a judge. Do you not see the fiber of our fabric braiding and interweaving itself? If man knows no Creator, he knows no Redeemer; if he knows no Redeemer, he knows no Judge.

Conscience and societal mores are the only judges that unbelief acknowledges. But what of conscience, what of society does he have to dread or fear? If he can numb his conscience and escape society’s clout, he avoids execution?

One’s care or concern for judgment is only as deep as his reverence for his judge and executioner. There are potential flaws and weaknesses in all courts of justice. (a) A judge may be bribed. (2) A judge may be prejudiced for or against. (3) A judge may be deceived. (4) A judge may neglect the execution of his verdict. (5) A judge may be reversed. (6) A judge may have the government, on which his jurisdiction rests, overthrown. (7) A judge may die before he can carry out the sentence of his court. (8) A defendant may escape from his captors and avoid judgment. With these possibilities, the unbeliever faces odds in his favor. It is only when he sees his Creator’s true power and his Redeemer’s real love that he is able to tremble before the unquenchable, consuming fire of Divine Judgment and certain execution!

It is not by coincidence that Psalm % exalts God as Creator, Redeemer and Judge. (1) “The Lord made the heavens.” (2) “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering and come into his courts. . . the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved.” (3) “He shall judge the people righteously . . . for he cometh to judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” This is the course Paul pursued. (1) “God that made the word . . . giveth to all life and breath and all things . . . and (2) now commandeth all men everywhere to repent (thus accepting him as Savior); (3) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world.”

The assurance, the guarantee of judgment is the empty tomb. Objector: “So, God created the world. What then?” Reply: “You must repent.” Objector: “But why should I repent?” Reply: “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world.” Objector: “How do I know there will be such a judgment?” Reply: “Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

Summation

Our task, then, is to show men their Maker, point them to their Savior and confront them with their Judge, Jury and Executioner. It is a domino relationship with eternal consequences. It must be preached with reason, force and passion. “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech” (2 Cor. 3:12). “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11).

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 13, pp. 398-399
July 7, 1988

By Lewis Willis

It has long been evident that modern religion has little concept of the truth. Religious leaders demonstrate that they do not know the function of the Bible in establishing conduct. They do not know what the church is. They seem to have no idea how it is to be organized.

When you listen to their teaching, it is obvious that they do not even know what a person must do to become a member of the Lord’s church. They do not seem to realize that the terms of pardon for the sinner are the same terms upon which entry or membership in the church is realized. All of these things are clearly defined in the Scriptures but, for some reason, religious leaders have been unable to discover them or they have been unwilling to implement them in the organizations they have founded.

With the rampant error that has been introduced regarding the simple truths referred to above, it should not surprise us that error would be introduced regarding what the church can and cannot do. It is not that modern religions are inactive. To the contrary, they are extremely active. Unfortunately, the problem lies in the fact that their activities are as erroneous as in the case of those items mentioned above. The masses, who depend upon religious leaders for knowledge and direction, have been so deceived that it never occurs to them to pause and ask, “Is the Church authorized by Christ to do these things we are doing?”

In Churches of Christ we have sought to exercise care in both our teaching and our practice. We have carefully investigated the teaching of God’s Word to discover what he desires the church to do. We found out that one of its obligations is to assemble and worship God (Heb. 10:25; Jn. 4:24). We also learned that it was assigned a work to do (Eph. 44:12). That work consists of three things:

1. In its work, it is to edify its members. This is the process by which Christians are grounded and established in the Truth. This would include such things as teaching in classes and from the pulpit (Col. 1:23; 2:7).

2. God assigned to the church the benevolent work of caring for other brethren who are in need (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35; 6:1-6; 11:27-30).

3. It is the responsibility of the church to evangelize the world (1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 13:1-3; 8:4).

Everything the Church does must fall within the heading of one of these God-assigned functions. If it is not worship, if it is not edifying in the faith, if it is not fulfilling benevolent responsibility and if it does not evangelize the world with the gospel, then the Church has no right to engage in it – no matter what the activity is! The Akron Beacon Journal (9-18-85) reported that the United Methodist Church has given $37 million dollars, between 1981-83, to support the following organizations: Coalition For New Foreign and Military Policy; lobby efforts for the Equal Rights Amendment; National Conference of Black Lawyers; Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility; Planned Parenthood World Service and the lobby for the Law of the Sea treaty.

Now take that list of organizations supported by the United Methodist Church and determine into which category of the church’s work each of those things would be placed. Which ones are evangelistic, which ones are benevolent, which ones edify the saints, etc.? I was just thinkin, the evidence is in, and the religious world really does not know what the church is supposed to do. This little reminder should help us guard ourselves against making the same mistake.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 12, p. 371
June 16, 1988