Truth Magazine

By  Tarheel State

The church of Christ meeting on Ridgeway Road near Leaksville, North Carolina, had its beginning as a Christian Church in 1947. But the members soon learned the truth about the Lord’s church. They put instrumental music out of their worship and rejected societies doing the work of the church.

Many members left with the instrument, but a sufficient number were convinced of the truth and stood up for their convictions concerning the all-sufficiency of the scriptures and the Lord’s church. They removed all things for which they did not have a “thus saith the Lord.”

The Ridgeway Road church suffered through many problems incurred in their rejection of the Christian Church movement. But they weathered the storms.

Having rejected Christian Church innovations it was natural for them to steer clear of innovations like centralization of authority and funds, and church support of institutions. Brother Charles Crider worked with the group for three years and helped the brethren to a sturdy and sound stand against these innovations. Opposition to these innovations also brought many problems in the way of opposition from other congregations. But Ridgeway Road weathered these storms too.

J. O. Walter presently labors with this church and is working well with the brethren in an effort to spread truth and reach lost souls.

Truth Magazine VI, 12, p. 24
September 1962

By Luther Blackmon

The weak and vacillating Pilate is about to become famous but in an unexpected manner. He is about to become an unwilling actor in the greatest drama the world has ever beheld. If someone had told him that he would be remembered only because of the greatness of the man who stands before him in the judgment hall he would have likely found it very amusing. It is true nonetheless. But for his part in the trial of Jesus of Nazareth, Pilate would be a forgotten name in the dusty archives of Roman jurisprudence.

The Roman Governor did not grasp the significance of the situation that faced him. He understood neither the accused nor the accusers. On the one side he faces a mob of hate-filled Jews whom he despises, but whom political expediency says he must try to please. On the other hand stands the spotless Son of God. Pilate asks, “what accusation bring ye against this man.” The Jews answered, “If he were not a malefactor we would not have delivered him up to thee.” They are saying in substance, “Don’t bother yourself about whether he is guilty or not, Pilate, we have already tried him. You just waive the Roman trial and condemn him to death.” But Pilate was not minded to become their tool. He wanted to hear the evidence, and to give the accused a chance to be heard.

In the Jewish trial, Jesus had been condemned on the charge of blasphemy. He claimed to be the Son of God. But the Jews knew that Pilate would not listen to a charge like that. Blasphemy was not a violation of Roman law. So they had to change it. Now they accused him of treason. They said, “He forbids to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is a king.” This was a false statement. Jesus had said, “render” unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are Gods.” What made this charge even more hypocritical, the Jews hated Caesar. But now it serves their purpose to feign great loyalty to Caesar.

At this juncture in the trial Pilate rose from the judgment seat and beckoning Jesus to follow him went into the palace. Here he would examine him away from the clamor of the mob. This examination convinced the Procurator that whatever this man was, he was no enemy of the Roman Empire. So he came out and announced bluntly, “I find no fault in him.” Why then did he not release him? Here is a quotation from Chandler: “Mankind has asked for nearly two thousand years why a Roman, with the blood of a Roman in him, with the glorious prestige and the stern authority of the Roman empire at his back, with the Roman legions at his command, did not have the courage to do the high Roman act. Pilate was a moral and intellectual coward of the arrant type. This is his proper characterization and a fitting answer to the world’s eternal question.” (Vol. 2, pg. 116.)

But without making excuses for the weak and cowardly Pilate, I think there are some mitigating circumstances. Pilate was a heathen with a heathen’s conception of life and death. If he believed in any kind of god, he thought his god was only one of many. It is doubtful that he expected anything beyond the grave except an imposing monument and a name in Roman history. With this view of things it is easy to see why he would try to keep what he had in this world.

He was in a bad spot now. He had repeatedly outraged the Jews by flaunting the image of Caesar before them. He had appropriated money from the “Corban” for secular uses. He had mingled the blood of the Galileans with their sacrifices. His last encounter with the Jews had resulted in their taking a petition to Tiberius, and the Emperor had taken their part. The strain on his relationship with the Jews would hardly stand another clash. So he tried now to compromise.

Pilate’s Effort to Compromise

His first ruse was to send Jesus to Herod. The Jews had mentioned that Jesus was from Galilee. That was Herod’s territory. Let him try this troublesome case. But Herod only mocked him and sent him back to Pilate. Herod’s action amounted to another acquittal.

Again he tried to appeal to the mob by offering them a choice between Barabbas, a seditionist and a murderer, and the lowly Jesus. He thought surely they would prefer to have the release of Jesus above that of Barabbas. But Pilate reckoned without considering the depth of hatred and religious prejudice that moved these Jews. Jesus had unmasked their hypocrisy and exposed their human traditions. They hated him because they feared him. His teaching spelled the end of their national religion. Had they known their sacred scriptures for which they professed such profound respect, they would have known that their national religion was meant to end when it had served its purpose. But they did not know. And they would not consider that this Jesus might be right. He had attacked their traditions, and he must die. It was as simple as that.

A third effort at compromise is made when Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged. A Roman scourging was enough to move the hardest heart to sympathy. Men often died under the scourge. Pilate thought perhaps when the Jews had seen his pale and bleeding form they might relent. But they were unmoved.

Pilate’s wife did not help his state of mind any. She came in and warned him “Have thou nothing to do with that just man for I have suffered many things in a dream this clay because of him.” This was the last straw. At first Pilate had likely thought of Jesus as only a visionary fanatic. But his wife’s dream coupled with the statement of the Jews that he had claimed to be divine shook him up. “What if he really were a god.” In the mythology and ancient annals of his race there were many legends of the sons of the gods who walked the earth in human form and guise.”

Most wicked men are superstitious. Filled with dread. Pilate called Jesus into the palace the second time. W hen he comes out he once more announces to the mob that he will release the prisoner. But the Jews had worked themselves into such a frenzy that Pilate saw that any further effort to save this prisoner would create an incident of such proportions that it would likely cost him his office. So 1’ilate washed his hands. He knew that Jesus had done nothing worthy of death and should be released. But he also knew that if he released him he would likely lode his job. So Pilate took “the middle of the road;” he washed his hands. But washing his hands did not solve the Governor’s problem. It only stamped his character. It did not release the brave and innocent victim, nor lift from the shoulders of the craven Pilate his responsibility. It was his decision to make and no one else could make it for him, or take the blame.

There are times when a man must stand alone, even in a crowd, and fight a battle which his fellows can neither see nor understand. A battle which may well decide whether he will be a man or a mere male member of the human race; whether he will be a patriot or a traitor: a saint or a sinner; a gospel preacher or a job holder. I know that it is not easy. And I know that there are often circumstances that make the decision more difficult than the world or even his friends, can ever know or appreciate. But I also know that no circumstance can justify one’s failure to choose the right. Whatever the price, he has no choice; he must pay it.

It was a part of God’s plan that Jesus should thus die. But this did not lessen the infamy of Pilate’s ignoble act. In every civilized land on earth, for 1900 years, the name of Pilate has been spoken in the same breath with that of Judas. Judas is remembered and despised for what he did; Pilate for what he did not do.

Truth Magazine VI: 12, pp. 16-17
September 1962

By Wm. E. Wallace

A major source of tension with denominational people is seen in the subject “salvation by grace.” Salvation by grace is certainly a prominent chain of Bible thought, and the subject constantly and continually brings dispute, debate and argumentation. Why should there be so much difficulty over such an important Bible doctrine?

Trouble arises because of the idea that salvation by grace eliminates the necessity of doing work or obeying commands in order to be saved. Those who contend for this idea about salvation by grace refer to Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24-29, Romans 4:4, Romans 11:6. On the other hand, we who accept obedience as being necessary for salvation refer to such passages as Matthew 7: 21, Acts 2: 40, Acts 9:6, Philippians 2:12, James 2:14-26 and I Timothy 4:16.

Are we to conclude that there is Bible justification for both doctrines? No, Bible doctrines do not contradict. No passage (teaching salvation by grace rules out the necessity of obedience to God’s commands.

There are numerous kinds of works condemned in the New Testament. There are works in which men boast. (Ephesians 2:8.) There are works which curse. (Galatians 3:12-13.) There are works in which we glory. (Romans 4: 2-4.) There are works of self-righteousness. (Luke 18:10.) There are works of man’s righteousness. (Titus 3:5.)

Salvation by grace through faith rules out those kinds of works. But salvation by grace through faith includes what God has done for man in order that man might be saved. God’s grace offers us a saviour–Jesus Christ. In faith we must accept him. God’s grace offers us a teaching–the gospel. By faith we believe it and obey it. God’s grace offers us a saved relationship–the church. By faith, seen in obedience, we enter it.

The works involved in accepting Christ in obeying the gospel and in entering the church are not works which are condemned as boasting, cursing, self-righteous and debt works. Baptism is not a work in which men may boast. Baptism is not a work which curses. Baptism is not a self-righteous or debt work.

Romans 4:4 contrasts grace and debt. Debt works involve something earned. The works of grace involve something unearned and undeserved. We cannot make God indebted to us: we cannot merit or earn what he offers to us, but we must reach out to accept that which he offers us. When we reach out to accept it, “we are working the work of God.” (John 6:29, 9:4.) God has something to offer us, something good and lovely, something which is free and undeserved, something given out of his pure generosity. God waits for us to accept it. He tells us how to accept it or receive it.

God’s grace offered Noah a saving plan– the ark. Noah believed then he worked the works of God’s graceful instruction in order to escape the flood. God’s grace offered Israel a victory plan for the battle of Jericho. Israel, moved by faith, worked out the plan of God’s grace and won the battle. God gracefully offers Us access to divine favor. (Ephesians 2:18.) We become recipients of divine favor as we purify our souls in obeying the works of God’s grace. (I Peter 1: 22.) Obedience to the commands of God’s grace does not disannul salvation by grace.

We are to be judged according to works (of grace). (Matthew 16:27, Romans 2:6-7, Revelation 20: 13.) Thus, works are essential to salvation–the works which guide us toward heaven.

God’s grace appears to all men (Titus 2:11), as it did to all those Jews who were bitten of serpents. (Numbers 21.) But as those Jews had to act (look) to be healed, we must act (obey) in order to be saved. (John 8:14-16, Acts 2:40.) We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8), by blood (Romans 5:9), by faith (Romans 5: 1), by baptism (I Peter 3: 21), by working God righteousness. (Acts 10: 35.)

Faith saves, but not the kind the Pharisees had. (John 12:42.) Works save, but not the kind mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9. We are saved by grace through faith. The faith that saves is the faith that believes that Jesus meant what he said in Matthew 7:21.

Truth Magazine VI: 12, pp. 14-15
September 1962

By A. C. Grider

My Opposition Weak at First

Ever since I obeyed the gospel, several years ago, I have heard brethren discuss the merits and demerits of Freemasonry. Some brethren opposed it and were apparently sincere in their opposition. Other brethren, some in the lodge and some out. favored it and were also apparently sincere in their contentions.

It had been argued that Christians could not be masons because masonry was another religious institution. But Masons steadfastly denied that masonry was a religious institution. It seemed that if it could be proven that masonry WAS a religious institution our brethren would hasten to get out of it.

Personally, I was convinced that the Masonic Lodge was no place for a Christian. But I couldn’t PROVE it was a religious institution. Hence, I did not make a big fight against membership in it. But when the congregation where I preached began to be troubled by the question, I knew I had to find out about it. Consequently I went to the Masonic Home Journal (by telephone) and found that the following books “fairly represented” Masonic teaching:

1. The Kentucky Monitor, By Henry Pirtle.

2. Morals and Dogma, By Albert Pike.

3. Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, By Albert G. Mackey.

In addition to talking by phone to the Masonic Home Journal, I wrote a letter to The Grand Lodge of Kentucky, in Louisville, and specifically asked if these three works fairly represented Masonic teaching. The Grand Secretary of the Lodge answered and I have the letter. He declared that these works not only fairly represented Masonic teaching but that they were “standard and recommended.”

From these three works (four books, the Encyclopedia is a two-volume set) which fairly represent masonry, which are standard and recommended, I received the greatest shock of my life. I learned, among other things, that:

1. The Masonic Lodge is a religious institution.

2. The Masonic Lodge is opened for religious purposes.

3. The Masonic Lodge has religious ceremonies.

4. Masonry produces a religious faith.

5. Masons engage in religious worship.

6. Masonry is a religion.

7. Masonry is a worship.

8. Masonry fits one for immortal nature.

9. The Masonic Lodge will lead to heaven.

10. Masonry builds a spiritual temple.

11. The Masonic Lodge has a Redeemer, a high Priest, a Creed, an altar, a Decalogue, and a crucifix.

12. Masons practice baptism, eat the Lord’s Supper, burn incense, and keep Easter.

All of this, and more too! And the information comes not from a prejudiced preacher, nor from a man who has left the Lodge, nor from an enemy of the Mason’s, nor from anybody’s opinion or think so.

This information comes from books which the Masonic Home Journal and the Grand Lodge of Kentucky say are standard and recommended. They tell us these books fairly represent Masonic teaching. They tell us these books misrepresent Masonic teaching. No honest man will deny that the 12 things listed above are TRUE.

Quotations From These Works

The Kentucky Monitor; Page 28: “Masonry is a religious institution.”

Morals and Dogma; Page 213: “Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion.” Page 526: “Masonry is a worship.”

Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Vol. 1; Page 50: I will paraphrase this item. ACG. The Masonic altar is for religious uses. It identifies Masonry as a religious institution. It is a part of a really religious worship. (Note: Though I paraphrased this item because of its length, the terms “religious uses,” ‘religious institution,” and “really religious worship” are the words of the author and not me. ACG.) Page 253: “Freemasonry claims to be a religion.”

Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Vol. 2; Page 532: The lodge is opened “for sacred and religious purposes. ” Page 618: Masonry is “in every philosophical sense of the word, a religious institution.” Page 618: Masonry is “eminently a religious institution.” Page 619: “Masonry, then, is, indeed, a religious institution.” Page 782: The theocratic philosophy of Freemasonry “will produce an active religious faith and lead in the end to “a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

Look at that last statement again. Masonry produces the faith!!! And Masonry will lead to heaven! ! Not only is Masonry a religious institution. It is a FALSE religion! ! I am fully persuaded that one MUST come out of the Masonic Lodge to be saved.Just One-Question Remains to Be AnsweredHaving established, by authentic Masonic Books, that Masonry is a religion, one question remains to be answered. Why do sincere Christians (in the Blue Lodge–First three degrees) deny and continue to deny that masonry is a religion ? The answer comes from Morals and Dogma, and is as startling as anything I have ever read. Hear it, from page 819:

“The Blue Degrees are but the outer court or portico of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them, but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them. But their true explication is reserved for the Adapts, the Princes of Masonry. (Emphasis mine ACG.)

It is well enough for the mass of those called Masons, to imagine that all is contained in the Blue Degrees; and whoso attempts to undeceive them will labor in vain….” (Emphasis mine ACG.)

There you have it. The Blue Degree Masons (which includes most church of Christ Masons) are MISLED and DECEIVED and only IMAGINE they understand masonry. The “higher-ups” in the Lodge boast that these people are SO COMPLETELY misled and deceived that we will labor in vain if we attempt to “undeceive” them! ! I disagree with them. I believe I can undeceive ALL honest Christians. I don’t believe an honest Christian will stay in the Masonic Lodge when he sees it is a religious institution. If he does he had no business in the church in the first place! !

Brethren, it is not enough to say “I’ll still shake hands with you.” It’s not enough to say, “I will not let Grider make up my mind.” It is not enough to say, “I’ll not take Grider’s word for it.” It is not enough to say, “I’ve heard you on that before.” This is a matter of life and death. It is a matter of being saved or lost. I didn’t know it before, but I DO KNOW IT NOW!! No man can possibly be saved and go to heaven in the Masonic Lodge. It is a FALSE, even a BLASPHEMOUS Religious Institution. Come out of her, my brethren. I am concerned about you. I love you.

Truth Magazine VI: 11, pp.15-16
August 1962