Truth Magazine

By C. D. Plum

Perhaps I should of this article in the have given the subject plural, for really, such it is. Necessary realizations is actually what is taught here.

Often we hear people say, “What is the matter with the world? ” And others who realize how bad things are, say, “What can be done about it?” Well, I don’t know everything that is the matter with the world. And I do not pretend to know everything that we should try to do about it. I do, however, know that things are bad, and I am pretty sure that a very strong panacea of some sort is needed by the world. And I happen to know what that panacea is that is needed. The world needs to be brought to certain realizations, which, at this time it seems she knows little about.

I have heard it said that what this world needs is a good dose of religion. But such a statement as this’ without clarification, is so vague that it is worthless. Those who understand the teaching of the Bible know full well that the world already has too much of the religion of Catholicism and Protestantism. Such religions as these have no sanction from the God of Heaven, and spiritually will not help the world.

But a man said once, “I mean the world needs a good shot of the religion we read about in the Bible.” But this statement is as vague as can be. It needs clarification. In the Bible we read about the “Jews religion.” ((Gal. 1:13-14.) Certainly the world does not need a shot of this religion. It was all right in its time and day before Christ died on the cross. But it was “nailed to the cross” and was taken out of the way when Christ died. (Col. 2:14-16.) And Paul, who held to the Jews religion after the cross of Christ, and who was “Profiting in it,” was at the same time “persecuting the church of God, and wasting it.” (Gal. 1: 13-14.) So the world does not need this.

And then in the Bible we read about “vain religion and vain worship.” The world surely does not need this. In fact it has too much of this all ready. From the Bible viewpoint, religion may be vain because of talking too much (bridleth not his tongue,” Jas. 1:26), and doing too much (following the doctrines and commandments of men), Mt. 16:9-13. Hence, the statement that the world needs religion is too vague without clarification. Note, carefully, then, what follows.

1. Right here let me state the first realization. The world needs to realize that, only the “pure and undefiled” system of religion as taught by Jesus the Christ, and revealed in the New Testament, will profit spiritually. (Jas. 1:27.) God’s “Hear ye him,” concerning his Son, sets aside every system of religion in the world that is contrary to Christ’s teaching. This the world must realize. This the world must accept. There will be no spiritual deliverance otherwise.

2. The world needs to realize that God is, and he that cometh to God “must believe that he is.” (Heb. 11:6.) And further, the world needs to realize that, “Those who do not wish to retain God in their knowledge he will give over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” (Ro. 1:28.) And further. in this connection, the world needs to know that if it will not hearken unto the words of God’s Son that God, himself will hold it to strict account. (Deut. 18:18-i9.)3. Not only is it necessary to realize that God is. it is likewise necessary to realize that 7 God has” his own way of doing things. And God’s ‘thoughts and ways” are as far above man’s thoughts and ways as the heaven is above the earth. (Isa. 55:8-9.)

4. And the world not only needs to realize that “God is” and “God has,” but this world needs to know that “God will not change.” The prophet spoke God’s words, and said, “I am the Lord, I change not.” (Mal. 3:6.) So it is, “The wicked must forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. (Isa. 65:7.)

5. Another necessary realization on the part of the world is that, Jesus established “one” church, and that denominationalism makes infidels. “I will build my church,” says Jesus. “The true tabernacle which the Lord built, and not man,” says Paul, and “There is one body.” (Mt. 16:18; Heb. 8:2; Eph. 4:4.) Denominationalism represents religious division, provokes religious confusion, and helps to defeat the prayer of Jesus when he prayed that “all may be one, and that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

6. The world needs to realize that the way of entrance into the Lord’s church today is the same as they entered over nineteen hundred years ago. The book of Acts is the book of conversions. This book carefully studied, with other scriptures relating to the same thought, reveals that believers (Mk. 16:16) repented of their sins (Acts 2:38) and were baptized (buried) for the remission of their sins upon the simple confession of their faith in believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Acts 8:37-38; Col. 2:12.) It is just as simple as that today. Simple obedience to the Son of God. That is all that is required. “He is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Obedience to the Lord is neither mythical nor mystical. And the sooner the service of God is severed from the idea of the mythical or mystical, the better for this old world.

7. It would be unwise to close this article without insisting that not only the world, but the church as well, needs to realize that God requires that his servants be “faithful unto death.” The fight is not for a day, but a fight to the finish, if the crown we would wear. If gospel preachers did not have to spend so much time in holding the members, and were free to work on the alien lost, the church would make more progress in numbers, and in work accomplished.

Truth Magazine VI, 12 pp. 19-20
September 1962

By Judson Woodbridge

Old Covenant –Heb. 8:13; Ex. 34:28; I Kgs. 8: 9, 21– New Covenant.
Old Testament — Heb. 9: 15 — New Testament.
First Testament — Heb. 10: 9 — Second Testament–Heb. 8: 7.
Moses Gave Old– Heb. 10:28 — Christ Gave New.
Blood of Animals– Heb. 10:4–Blood of Christ–Heb. 9:14.
For Jews Only — Deut. 5.1-15; Ex. 31:16, 17 — For All the World–Mk. 16:15.Done Away–Rom. 7:1-6; 2 Cor. 3:1-6– In Force—Heb. 9:17. Gal. 3:23-25; Eph. 2:14-16; Col. 2:14; Heb. 8; 9:15-17.

Wrong Examples

Mt. 8: 6- 13 . Faith
Lk. 7: 36-48 ……... Love
John 8: 4- 11..Repent
Mt. 19:16-22..Give
Lk. 23:43 . Confessed

Right Examples

Acts 2–B, R, B, equals Rem. of Sins.
Acts 8–H, B, B, equals Rejoice
Acts 9–B, R, B, equals wash away sins. (22: 16.)
Acts 10 and 11–B, R, B, equals Life.

Wrong DayEx. 31:16, 17.
Right DayLk. 24:1, 7, 21, 46; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2.

Wrong Acts
Sprinkle clean water–Ezek. 36:25.
Animal sacrifice.
Incense burning.
Going to Jerusalem to worship.
Build a Tabernacle.
Dance–2 Sam. 6:14.
Play on Instruments–2 Sam 6:5.
Infant Members.
Feast Days.

Right Acts

Baptize–( immerse)–Rom. 6 :3.
Christ, our sacrifice.
Pray–Rev. 8:4.
Worship in spirit and truth–Jno. 4:21-23.
Sing–Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19.
Teach–Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7.
Lord’s Supper Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7.
Give–I Cor. 16:2.

There are many people who do not know how to read the Bible. Many think the Old Testament is in force today. The above passages should show conclusively that it is not. When this is learned people will stop going back before the cross for examples of conversion; stop going back to the Ten Commandments to get the Sabbath day (7th day of the week); and will stop going back after David’s instruments of music. The Lord in the New Covenant tells us what to do to be saved today and how to worship.

A man is indeed inconsistent who will take the stories of Christ forgiving sin in his personal ministry as cases of conversion, and then reject the Jewish Sabbath. He is inconsistent who will take David’s instruments and refuse his dance. The truth is, all are on the wrong side of the cross. David lived under the law of Moses and not under the law of Christ. Since that is true, if it could be proven that David used the instruments with the approval of God, which would not prove that one could use them today with God’s sanction. If he would sanction them he would surely say so in the law he has for us today.

In the personal ministry of Christ he could speak sins forgiven if he so desired; but did he say to me that I could be forgiven like the woman who washed his feet? I must be concerned about the conditions of salvation as they are expressed in the New Testament. In fact, no one would ever have thought about using these stories of Christ’s forgiveness if they had not been trying to get around a plain command; and the commands is, “Be baptized.” Why try to escape a command of God? It certainly would be foolish to so do. Let all be willing to go to the right place for these commands, and then let all be willing to obey them.

Truth Magazine VI, 12, pp 20-21
September 1962

By Thomas C. Mickey

We are living in an age when, it seems, that but few even of the members of the Lord’s church are cognizant of the importance of our “redeeming the time.” I would to God that something could be said or done that would cause Christians to awake to this need. The burden of current problems within the church has heaped discouragement upon the work in many places, thus contributing to indifference. The problems which we are facing serve to emphasize the need for more (as well as more effective) teaching both within and without the church. Let preachers accept this challenge to de-emphasize eloquence and re-emphasize the message. If because of extra-curricular interests less study is to be done in the home, then we must combat this by doing more teaching from the pulpits.

I call your attention in this study to Paul’s words to the Colossians, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Col. 4:5.) Exposition of this passage depends primarily upon consideration of four key words; “wisdom,” “without,” “redeeming,” and “time.”

The word “wisdom” is from sophia (Gr.) and means “wisdom, skill” according to Robert Young. Thayer defines the word as “wisdom, broad and full intelligence.” (page 581, Lexicon.) The term is the same one which is so widely used in I Corinthians 1 and 2. Thayer’s comment on the usage of the word in Col. 4:5 is “a devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ.” (ibid, 581.)

Our text, then, teaches that we ought to conduct ourselves wisely toward those who are not Christians. The wisdom that we are to possess is a wisdom that comes from God. James taught that those who lacked wisdom should pray for it. (James 1:5.) He further taught that the wisdom which is from God will manifest itself in an individual through his good behavior (James 3:13) and that a wise man will be pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17.)

We learn that the apostles preached wisdom among those who were perfect. (I Cor. 2:6.) Thus, we are constrained to believe that wisdom may be obtained through study of the word of God. Further, “walking in wisdom” involves the exercise of discretion in addition to humble obedience.

“Without” is from “exo” (Gr.), which literally means “without; outside.” “Without” signifies those who are without the body of Christ, i.e. those who are not Christians. In Colossians 1:13 Paul speaks of being translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. Those without are they who have never been translated into this kingdom and they are the ones with whom the apostle is concerned in Col. 4:5.

“Walking in wisdom toward them that are without” involves teaching them the truth. It involves the fulfillment of our Lord’s command in the great commission. “Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Many will be disappointed to learn that this precept was not spoken for the benefit of preachers alone. This fact is more clearly seen from Matthew’s account of the commission. In Matt. 28:19 the order is (1) teach, (2) baptize, (3) teach to observe. Note the following syllogism:(1) All baptized believers were to be taught to observe “all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Mt. 28:19.)

(2) The disciples were commanded to teach. (Mt. 28:19 – Mk. 16:15.)

(3) Therefore, baptized believers are commanded to teach!

While members of the church emphasize the Lord’s Supper and baptism, they are prone to neglect the duties of personal evangelism. It has been said that there are only about twenty-two verses dealing with the responsibility to eat the Lord’s Supper, and only about one hundred and twenty dealing with baptism, but there are over one thousand verses which show the Christians’ responsibilities in teaching the gospel. As we note the word redeeming,” we find it to be composed of two words; “ex” and “agorazo,” thus, “ex-agorazo.” Young defines the term as, “to acquire out of the forum.” Thayer defines it as “to redeem; to buy up.” He says the meaning in Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5 seems to be “to make a wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good.” (Lexicon, p. 220.)

Christians should regard as holy every opportunity to accomplish good. The textual application, of course, deals with opportunities to teach those who are without the body of Christ.

Once Jesus told some men to learn the meaning of an expression: “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice” (Mt. 9:13 et al.) Among other things, it appears to me that this expression reveals that God is not pleased with legalism alone, but that one’s heart and attitudes must also be pleasing. God requires men to love the souls of the lost. If we love the souls of the lost we will work to teach them the truth. Being letter-perfect will not save us unless our hearts are also right. We must be merciful toward the unbelievers and teach them God’s will. To lift an expression from its context, James said, “He shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy.”

The last key word in the passage is “time” from “kairos” (Gr.) and meaning “A fixed time or season” (Young’s Ana Con.). Time always signifies limitations. Time is a difference between mortality and immortality.

In II Corinthians 6:2 we read … “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” These words are often cited in pleading with aliens to obey the gospel. But, brethren, if now is the accepted time to obey the gospel, then now is also the accepted time to be teaching the gospel. If we have no guarantee of tomorrow, how hard we must work, for the task is not done; we cannot say, “It is finished.” “…I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” (John 4:35-36.)

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17.)

Truth Magazine VI: 12, pp. 10-13
September 1962

By Thomas Icard

Many questions have been asked, many tracts and books have been written about this subject. I am simply trying to present what the Bible says about it. I believe the scripture that Paul wrote to Timothy and said, “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for instruction which is in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:15-16.) Therefore, I believe all information that is necessary can be given with a “Thus saith the Lord.” I simply point to God’s word and ask you to believe that only. The trouble with the religious world today is simply this: People do not accept God’s word as absolute authority but mix into it their ideas and human creeds. I do not intend to base my convictions on the opinions of people I love and respect.

Let us remember to study God’s word and accept it as it is, not adding or subtracting from it. We can see God’s attitude in Revelation twenty-two and verses eighteen and nineteen. My main concern is what God will think of me in the judgment. My friends will have not the power to put me in or take me from heaven. I must answer to God in that day. Therefore, what he has said is my source of authority. I know that God has given us all the information He wills for us to have on any religious subject. It is good to study about the Bible but better to study the Bible. In I Cor. 13 we find that Paul says of the New Testament “When that which is perfect is come that which is in part will be done away.” Something that is perfect is not lacking in any of its parts. If we believe this, we will accept the scriptures as all sufficient for everything we teach or believe in religion. We find that l’eter tells us in I Peter 3:15, 16, “but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with MEEKNESS and FEAR: having a GOOD CONSCIENCE . . .” The Bible is the book that will give US the answers. We will have these answers if we “Give diligence (study) to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.” Let us do this just now as we gather together all the information and look at the subject of marriage as God has given it to us to study.

Many are teaching today that sexual intercourse is what makes marriage in God’s eyes today. If a man has sexual intercourse with a woman before a marriage ceremony has been performed, then he is married in God’s eye no matter how people look upon it. Let us see if this is true. If so, what would be fornication? The Bible recognizes a difference in fornication and adultery. In I Corinthians 6:9 both words are used to tell the Corinthians that such shall not inherit the kingdom of God. We see then God recognizes a difference in the two.

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary

1. Adultery: Voluntary sexual intercourse by a married man with another than his wife or by a married woman with another than her husband. (Page 13.)

2. Fornication: Elicit sexual intercourse on the part of an unmarried person. (Page 326.)If sexual intercourse made marriage, then there would be no such thing as fornication because the ones committing the act would become married in God’s eye. Then the next time he committed the act with someone else it would be adultery. If this were the case, the apostle Paul was wrong in using both words in I Cor. 6:9. Again let us hear what Paul says. Heb. 13:4: “Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for FORNICATORS and ADULTERI RS God will judge.” A fornicator is not married. Yet to be a fornicator one has to have had sexual intercourse. Someone says, “Oh, but love has to be involved.” I ask for the book, chapter, and verse. I can give book, chapter, and verse to show this is not true. (II Samuel 13: 15.) When Amnon forced his sister Tamar: “Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred, for the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the LOVE wherewith he had LOVED her.” Would anyone claim that Tamar was Amnon’s wife? Certainly love existed betwetn these two. A love for the person and fleshly love on Amnon’s part. Again we see the Bible clearly expounding upon the subject. “And if a man entice a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to BE his WIFE. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.” (Ex. 22:16, 17.) When does she become his wife? After he pays the dowry. Again, if her father refuses, she is not his wife. Does this look as if intercourse makes marriage? Deut. 22:28, 29 also give this same law.

Now let us examine the passage of scripture that those holding this conviction use to prove their opinion (I Cor. 6: 16): “Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? For, the twain, saith he, shall become one flesh.” Let us leave this passage of scripture in its context. The apostle is explaining that we cannot remain faithful to Christ and live worldly. It is God’s intended purpose that each man have only one wife. (Matt. 19:4-9, Rom. 7:2-4; I Cor. 7:2.) It is God’s intended purpose that we remain faithful to Christ and him alone. If we serve and subject ourselves to the worldly pleasures, we are not one flesh with Christ but the fornicator or adulterer with the world. I do not believe the scriptures contradict each other and to take this passage to prove that it is authority for the opinion that intercourse makes marriage is to misuse the divine word of truth. How can we do this and honestly condemn the denominational world for doing the same thing with another scripture such as John 3:16?

We can see that God places no difference in the sins of fornication and adultery above or below any other sin. “Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revelers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Of such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11.)

But of Gen. 24:67 someone says, “Doesn’t this look as if the intercourse was all that took place here to make marriage between Isaac and Rebekah ? ” Let us recognize the circumstances involved here. Were there any civil laws binding on Isaac and Rebekah at the period of time they were living? No. After the giving of the Law of Moses, there were certain laws given. Today we have civil laws given concerning marriage. God expects his people to obey the civil laws. (Rom. 13.) If we had no law of marriage in our country, then we could practice and follow the example of Isaac and Rebekah; but we do have laws of marriage and God commands that these laws (civil laws) be obeyed unless they conflict with His law. Marriage in the eyes of God takes place when both civil as well as religious law be obeyed. Anyone who engages in sexual intercourse today without a legal marriage license is either a fornicator or/and adulterer depending on whether he is legally married or not. He has violated God’s divine plan. (I Cor. 7:2; Rom. 13.) Anyone that violates God’s law is to be rebuked. Titus 2:15 gives me authority to rebuke or reprove. “These things speak and exhort and REPROVE with all AUTHORITY. Let no man despise thee.” If I have something against my brother, the Lord exhorts me to go to that brother. (Matt. 5:23.) In Matt 18:15-17: “And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he hears thee not, take with thee one or two or more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it to the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him, be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.”

Truth Magazine VI, 12, pp. 22-23
September 1962