Truth Magazine

By Jeff Asher

On September 28,29,30 and October 1, Keith Sharp met Johnnie Polk, in Stamps, Arkansas to discuss in public debate four propositions that pertained to the work of the church in evangelism and benevolence. This was the last in a series of two debates arranged by brethren in Stamps and Saratogo, Arkansas.

Sharp was originally to have met Noel Meredith; however, due to unavoidable illness, Polk, on very short notice, substituted for Meredith. This in no way affected the debate since brother Polk was well qualified and well prepared to represent his position. The only impediment to the debate was the effort on the part of area preachers to discourage their brethren’s attendance. This seriously affected the participation of those whose view brother Polk represented, even to the point that on Wednesday night there were more visitors than actual members of the Stamps Church of Christ present. Some of these actually left at the intermission noticeably affecting the size of the audience. This was very disheartening to both disputants.

On Monday night Polk affirmed that it is in harmony with the Scriptures for churches of Christ to contribute from their treasuries to benevolent institutions such as Southern Christian Home and others of like character. As characteristic of these brethren, Polk never defined “home.” When asked by Sharp to do so, Polk replied “home” was not in the proposition. Sharp quickly pointed out that his proposition said “Southern Christian Home.” Polk essentially argued for a “restored home” which when incorporated is not affected in nature or character. Very interestingly, Polk affirmed that the seven men of Acts 6 appointed to care for the Grecian widows constituted a board of directors over a home parallel to that of Southern Christian Home. Sharp quickly showed that Acts 6 exemplified the local church doing its work of benevolence providing both means, methods and personnel in order to relieve needy saints.

Tuesday night put Sharp in the affirmative showing the Scriptures teach that a local church of Christ is limited in the benevolent work it may support from its treasury to the relief of needy saints. Methodically, Sharp proved the proposition by establishing that just as there is a pattern for singing only as worship there is a pattern which establishes that needy saints only are the objects of the benevolent relief of the local church. The following charts were the sum total of Sharp’s affirmative.

The Church’s Work of Relieving The Needy

Acts 2:44-45

Acts 4:32-35

Acts 6:1-4

Acts 11:27-30

Romans 15:25-26

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

2 Corinthians 8:4

2 Corinthians 9:1, 12-13

1 Timothy 5:3, 9-10, 16

The Pattern Revealed

The Bible Teaches The Church Is To Engage In “Limited” Music

1. Matt. 26:30 – “sung” Shall We Add

2. Mk. 14:26 – “sung” Instrumental Music?

3. Acts 16:25 – “sang” Another Kind or

4. Rom. 15:9 – “sing” Classification

5. 1 Cor. 14:15 – “sing” Of Music?

6. Eph. 5:19 – “singing”

7. Col. 3:16 – “singing” What Happens

8. Heb. 2:12 – “sing” If We Go

9. James 5:13 – “sing” Beyond God’s

Limited to Singing – We Limit?

Cannot Go Beyond The Limits God Set (2 Jn. 9)

The Bible Teaches The Church Is To Engage In “Limited” Relief Of The Needy

1. Acts 2:44-45 – “All that believed” Shall We Add

2. Acts 4:32-34 – “them that believed” Aliens?

3. Acts 6:1-4 – “the disciples” Another Kind or

4. Acts 11:27-30 – “the brethren” Classification

5. Rom. 15:25-26 – “the poor saints” Of People?

6. 1 Cor. 16:1-2 – “the saints”

7. 2 Cor. 8:4 – “the saints” What Happens

8. 2 Cor. 9:1, 12-13 – “the saints” If We Go

9. 1 Tim. 5:3, 9-10, 16 – “widows indeed” Beyond God’s

Limited to Saints – We Cannot Limit?

Go Beyond The Limits God Set (2 Jn. 9)

Polk’s only response involved 2 Corinthians 9:12. This passage was introduced with the charge that Sharp behaved like a sectarian does on James 2:24. Polk argued that 2 Corinthians 9:12 said “not saints only” relative to the objects of the relief. Sharp rebutted by showing that 9:12 is a sentenced with a “not only . . . but also . . . ” construction. Therefore, Paul said “the administration” not only supplies the needs of the saints but “the administration” is also abounding through many thanksgivings. Paul did not say “not only the saints but also the non-saints.” Further rebuttal was offered from the immediate and remote context to establish the contribution was for needy saints in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25,26, 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-4; 9:1).

Sharp continued in the affirmative Wednesday establishing that the Scriptures teach that a local church of Christ may contribute from its treasury to another local church of Christ only for the purpose of meeting benevolent needs among the members of the receiving church and only by sending directly to the church where the need exists. Again, Sharp introduced the principle of a pattern. It was shown that in cooperation between local churches of Christ three things were always true.

Pattern For Church Sending Funds To Another Church (Summarized)

ARRANGEMENT – DIRECT

CONDITION – FROM ABILITY TO NEED

PURPOSE – EQUALITY

A church with ability sends directly to a church in need to produce equality.

In the matter of benevolence, the sending of funds was always to another church (not through another church) as in Acts 11:27-30. In the course of the discussion that night Polk gave up Philippians 4:15 as an argument for the sponsoring church when he admitted in a question he asked Sharp that the Philippians sent directly to Paul. This was critical to the rest of the discussion that night because Polk was forced to contend that the sponsoring church existed at Jerusalem in Acts 11. Sharp responded to this with the following chart exposing Polk’s diocesan concept of cooperation.

Acts 11:27-30

Opponent’s Diocesan Concept

Opponent reads into passage of diocese of Judea with Jerusalem elders

Over relief for district!

The passage neither states nor implies the elders of the Jerusalem church:

1. Oversaw general relief effort throughout Judea.

2. Received funds to disburse throughout Judea.

3. Oversaw work for several churches.

4. Became agent for churches.

cf. 1 Pet. 5:1-2

Polk resumed his affirmative on Thursday with the following proposition: “The Scriptures authorize churches of Christ to support from their treasuries a sponsoring church arrangement for the preaching of the gospel such as international Gospel Hour.” The only affirmative argument Polk made was that the sponsoring church was necessary in order to avoid making a “pastor” out of the preacher who received wages from the churches. That is, that preacher must be under elders who receive the “wages” and in turn “pay” the preacher. Of course, this does not begin to describe the sponsoring church as represented in “International Gospel Hour.” Sharp introduced the following chart which reveals the nature of the thing.

Sharp showed that the local church, the society and the “sponsoring church organization” (which is not a church) all “run on the same track.” Thus, it was shown again not to be a question of how churches cooperate, but who shall do the work.

This series of debates has been most profitable demonstrating not only the truth, but also that brethren can discuss these things amicably. These were the first debates to have been held in South Arkansas on these subjects. The obvious reluctance on the part of those brethren who support Southern Christian Home and International Gospel Hour to participate is, I believe, indicative of a change in sentiment among them toward the authority of the Scriptures and the need for a “thus says the Lord.”

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 24, pp. 750-751
December 17, 1987

By H. Wayne Jones

It has been my good fortune, personally and spiritually, to have been afforded the opportunity to be associated and to work closely with James W. Adams. I know him to be gracious, kind, dignified, strong in the faith, exemplary in conduct, uncompromising regarding truth, zealous yet humble before Almighty God. Brother Adams has been preaching the gospel of Christ faithfully for more than fifty years and is known throughout the brotherhood of Christians worldwide for his unwavering consistency to the cause of truth. During these fifty plus years, which included a period of great conflict from within that threatened to devour sound doctrine, James W. Adams was – and remains – a great influence among faithful disciples of the Lord.

When brother Adams was editing and publishing The Gospel Guardian magazine and managing the Gospel Guardian bookstore in Lufkin, the elders of the Timberland Drive church determined to establish a library for the benefit and use of its membership. While we emphasize that no elder, teacher, preacher, nor any member of the congregation should completely rely on uninspired books, we do believe they cannot attain a full measure of ability and knowledge without some good books. It was to James Adams we turned for advice and guidance in the important and crucial task of selecting the proper publications which would become the nucleus of this library. Through the years he has continued to guide and counsel on books and tapes added. Since becoming a member and class teacher at Timberland Drive, brother Adams has covered most of the books of the New Testament and some of the Old Testament. He has used an objective approach to the Scriptures, injecting appropriate examples and, on occasions, relating some of his personal experiences through the years. All of these lessons have been recorded to become a part of our permanent tape library.

I know James Adams to be a loving husband, father, grandparent, and true friend. He is sympathetic to the physical and spiritual needs of his brothers and sisters in Christ, quietly and oftentimes unknown to many, making visits and being helpful to the ill and to those needing his teaching or his encouragement and prayers.

After terminating his services with the church at Huntington, Texas brother Adams retired from full-time work as an evangelist. In January of 1985, he and his gracious and lovely wife, Gertrude, placed membership with the Timberland Drive congregation of Lufkin, Texas.

In September, 1985, the elders began a search for an evangelist to fill the vacancy at the Timberland Drive church. We asked brother Adams if he would assume the responsibility of preaching on Lord’s days during this interim. He not only consented to do so but also volunteered his services to write articles for the weekly church bulletin. Enjoying good health and a. vast knowledge of Bible truth gained from much study and experience, he did an outstanding job of preaching and teaching. Also, being one of the most able writers among conservative brethren, his articles in the bulletin covered a wide range of subject matter.

During this period of almost ten months, I am certain there were times he grew physically weary but he never faltered nor complained. He repeatedly assured us he was doing fine and did not feel imposed upon. Rather, he encouraged us, holding up our hands and exhorting us to take our time and be patient, to continue our search with diligence and care until such time as we selected the man we felt to be best qualified for the position.

Brother Adams spends many hours teaching, counseling and exhorting the young evangelists in our locale who are preaching at other area congregations and is assisting in the training program for young men preparing to enter the ministry of the gospel of Christ which was instituted into the program of work at Timberland Drive several years ago, laying before them a pattern of behavior worthy of imitating. (It was on the basis of his personal conviction of doing Bible things by Bible pattern that motivated brother Adams to take his stand for truth on institutional and cooperation issues years ago. The battle for truth continues, i.e., the teaching of the gospel of Christ, to work and worship in accordance with the divine Scripture as recorded in the New Testament.) In his preaching and teaching he often emphasizes the need to follow the Bible pattern in all we do and teach and practice and he exemplifies this belief steadfastly in his daily life. There remains all too few men among conservative churches of Christ today with the high level of scholarship attained by James W. Adams through long years spent in study and writing. It is the good fortune of these young men to have the opportunity to sit at the feet of this distinguished and scholarly man of God in these years of his “retirement.”

James Adams may have retired from full-time work as a located preacher but let me assure one and all that he has not retired in the full sense of the word as he continues daily to work in the Lord’s vineyard. He has been a source of great help and blessing to me and is always there when I need his assistance. Indeed, all members of the Timberland Drive congregation of Lufkin, Texas have been so richly blessed to have a man of his stature working and worshiping with us, along with sister Adams. Brother Adams has undergone much personal persecution and financial loss in past years because of his stand for truth. It is my hope and prayer that in his retirement years as he labors and worships with us at Timberland Drive, he will have peace of mind, body and soul and that he may prosper and be healthy in his September years.

From me to you, James W. Adams, a beloved brother in Christ, thank you and God bless you and yours!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, p. 724
December 3, 1987

By Carolyn Boshart

As a preacher’s wife, I would like to thank brother Huntoon for his tribute and of preachers’ wives. Tears came to my eyes as I read of the suffering some of my sisters have had to bear. The hard ships described were not new revelation to me. In visiting with other preachers’ wives over the years, I know the very experiences brother Huntoon has outlined have, indeed, occurred.

However, because I personally have never been the subject of such ill-treatment, I would like to present some other aspects of being a preacher’s wife.

I count it a privilege for my family to be in a position to be closely associated with other preachers, especially during gospel meetings. What a wonderful opportunity for my sons to be exposed to Godfearing, people-loving, faithful men who have dedicated their lives to preaching God’s word. What a treat to discuss Scriptures, share experiences, discover mutual friends, recall stories – sad, funny, poignant – about preachers past and present. What a rich environment in which to nurture children.

I feel especially blessed in being able to draw on the wisdom and examples of many older women in several different congregations. As I become one of the older women, I pray that I will, in turn, be able to teach younger women in a variety of congregations.

Having an immediate nucleus of friends in a new location is especially appreciated. I am not very outgoing and having a network of ladies anxious to help you to settle-in is a wonderful resource.

I have found the brethren especially considerate in including my family in social activities. The only drawback here seems to be working out reciprocation.

I am proud of my husband. I love and respect him for many reasons. I know how much he gives of himself in lesson preparations, research, and study. When someone tells me they have appreciated a lesson, or really needed a particular lesson, my pride, love and respect become underscored. To have others recognize his efforts, and to voice their gratitude, gives me such pleasure!

To leave the impression that my life as a preacher’s wife has been without difficulty on occasion would be erroneous. Of course there have been rocky periods; but, overall, the benefits and rewards I have reaped as a result of being married to a preacher far overshadow the difficult times.

I continue to experience a thrill when asked what my husband does for a living and I am able to say, “He’s a minister.”

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, p. 725
December 3, 1987