Truth Magazine

By Denver Niemeier

I have learned that God so loved man that he gave his Son and his Son gave his life so that man could be saved from his sins and live eternally with his Master (John 3:16).

I have learned that those who are saved are added to the church that the Son built (Acts 2:47; Matt. 16:18), and that in the church God is glorified (Eph. 3:21).

I have learned that God has provided for man every instruction needed to inform man how to conduct himself as a child of God and a member of the church (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). From the divine point of view, the church is perfect, nothing is missing, everything is just as it should be. But, I have learned there are problems among those who are members of the church. These are caused by many things: differences of opinion, lack of understanding, ignorance, bad attitudes, meanness, anger, and lack of consideration, just to name a few. Until these are removed on the part of the humans in the church, the problems won’t cease.

My purpose is to point out some things from what I have learned and experienced in my years of preaching and from serving as an elder that might cause us to be more careful in our association with brethren in Christ.

Improper elders are the cause of many problems. There is a dire shortage of proper elders today. Churches with large numbers cannot (evidently) find men who are qualified to serve or else the men refuse to serve. It is a sad commentary when so few are qualified and willing to serve. Men, who profess to have heaven as their goal, are not willing to press forward and prepare to serve in what Paul said was a good work (1 Tim. 3:1). We have a problem and it certainly is not God’s fault. How can we expect to have that crown of life if we will not get involved as we should as Christians?

I have learned that there are those who do not know how elders get to be elders. Recently, I learned that some years ago there was an elder (?) who, when he became ill, appointed his wife to serve, during his sickness. He died from his illness and his wife carried on until she died. This happened at a church in southern Indiana, the other man who was an elder (?) at that time told me about it.

My first meeting was for a rural church in Barren county Kentucky. One of the men informed me that he was the “acting elders” having been appointed by the “real elder” to serve, while the real elder was away on vacation.

On another occasion as I pulled into the parking lot of a rural church in Pulaski county Kentucky, where I was conducting a weekly Thursday night Bible study, one of the men came over to my car and asked if I had heard the good news about him? My answer was, “No.” He then told me he had been made a “Junior Elder.” I asked what that was, and he replied, “A junior elder is one who is in training to be an elder.”

I have learned that there are those who pay no attention, or are unaware of what the Bible says about elders and their qualifications and work. Many seem to want to stress the physical qualifications and pay little attention to the spiritual.

I have learned that some elders do not want the members to know what is going on. In Acts 26:26, Paul told Agrippa, “For this thing was not done in a corner. ” However, some conduct their oversight as if the best way to do things is in a comer. Years ago a church in Kentucky had elders who reached the decision that it was in the best interest of the church to change preachers. They made this known to the church but, when they were asked their reasons for making that decision, they said they did not want to reveal them. The preacher, not wanting to move, found among the members those who resented the decision and silence of the elders and started working toward the end of his staying and getting rid of the elders. Needless to say, a lot of trouble was the result.

As preachers sometimes have the opinion that elders are “my elders,” some elders at times act as if they think the church is theirs. I have learned that some want to be “boss,” some love pre-eminence, some are poorly prepared and do not have the vision and foresight their responsibilities require.

Before I go on, let me say that there are good, honest, sincere, dedicated, conscientious, sacrificing, properly prepared men who are serving as elders; the same is true of many who are devoting their lives to preaching the gospel. I thank God for them; may their tribe increase. So when I mention these things concerning elders and preachers, I am not down on all.

I have learned that every member of the church does not always act like he should. I have also learned that some who preach along with some who serve as elders will take advantage of the brethren, just as there are brethren who will take advantage of preachers and elders.

I have learned that elders and preachers need to have a clear cut understanding on many things when they enter into a working arrangement together. The same is true when a preacher agrees to work with a church that is without elders. An invitation is issued to a preacher to move and work with a church, the preacher accepts, yet details that involve all of them are not-worked out before the move takes place. Such things as moving expenses, amount of support, vacation weeks, number of meetings the preacher is to be away each year, pay adjustments, etc., need to be discussed and agreed to by all concerned. Many problems occur as the result of misunderstanding on these things.

In my opinion the best way for this to be handled is for it to be put in writing. For example, time passes and the ones who discussed these things with the preacher may no longer be there. Sometimes people forget, but if it is in writing and all involved have a copy, it is very easy to check and see what was agreed to.

A preacher looking for a place to move, learned of a church that was looking for a preacher. He contacted some of the members, went to “try out” and afterward talked with one of the members and was told that they wanted him to move there. When he showed up thinking he was to be preaching there, he found out that the one man he had talked with did not have the approval of the church to ask him to come.

I made a similar mistake some years ago. I agreed to move and work with a new church some 300 miles away. Between the time I accepted the invitation to move and the time of the move, I talked several times with the man who had phoned me and told me the church wanted me to come. We discussed several different things concerning the move and the work to follow. However, when I arrived, ready to start the work, I found out that things I had been assured of over the phone had not been discussed with the rest of the men. I have learned to work these things out before the move takes place.

In 1956 I accepted my first work as a “full-time” preacher. I was with that church over three years and had a good work there. During that time they never mentioned any adjustment in my support, and neither did I. That would not happen again on my part. I have learned better. How many would stay with a secular job that long without a raise?

A young preacher was talking with me some time back about his work with a certain church. He said, “I have been here almost two years and nothing has been said about an adjustment in my support. I don’t know what to do. If I bring it up they just might tell me that if I want more money to go somewhere else.” Again to repeat, work these things out beforehand.

One night after services during a gospel meeting we invited several to our house including the visiting preacher. One of the guests mentioned that the preacher was a “Big Preacher.” I will never forget his reply when he said, “A big preacher is just a little preacher away from home.” How about that?

While on that thought, there is something else I have learned. A church will bring in a visiting preacher to hold a meeting, sometimes lasting a week, or in many cases today, even less than a week. The visiting preacher will be supported (paid) far and above the amount that same church will pay the local preacher for the same period of time. Surely the travel expenses of the visiting preacher need to be taken care of in addition to his support, but to pay one man such an excess is unfair to the local man?

I also have learned that some have the idea that a preacher going to preach in a meeting is going to get rich. This leads some to want to decrease or even stop his support at home during that time. Too many times what he gets for that meeting is not equal to the support loss at home.

I once drove 500 miles during a meeting and was given a sack of potatoes and $15.00. Even then the brother who gave me my “gas money” as he called it, acted as if he did not want any one to notice that he was doing so. I have learned that brethren are not thoughtful at times concerning preachers and support.

I have learned that preachers are expected to be ready to go whenever called upon. Day or night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year be ready. Have the car in shape to run, gas in the tank, money in the pocket or bank to take care of any expense that might be involved. Any preacher worth his salt will go when called if at all possible. However some of these occasions put him to extra travel and expense. Whenever this happens, those who have called for him need to give consideration to that added cost.

I think of an occasion when I was called to speak at the burial services of a member of the church who had died in a western state and was being returned home. I had never met the man or his family, the services were to be held at a meeting house some distance from where I lived and where he had worshipped in years past. After the services someone handed me some money and said that the family wanted me to have it. Shortly after that I returned to that area to preach one night. One of the men came to me and started reading me the riot act, about taking money from a poor widow and her children. When I was able to calm him down some, I found out he was talking about the money I was given at the funeral I just mentioned. Did I mention that some brethren will take advantage of preachers?

On three different occasions involving three different churches, three different preachers I know of, went to the brethren at the end of the year or when they were leaving that work and asked for their vacation pay stating that they had not taken the time off for vacation so therefore the church owed them so many weeks support even though they had been paid every week of the time they had been there. Did I mention that some preachers will take advantage of the brethren?

I have learned that some think the preacher and his family are their personal property and are at their beck and call. The first work that I moved to where the church furnished the house for the preacher to live in resulted in learning other things. We had been there less than a week, many things were yet to be unpacked, not all the furniture was in place, well, you know how it is. One member suggests we have a get acquainted pitch-in on that Sunday afternoon in the backyard and that all could use the facilities of the house in getting the food ready etc. No thought was given as to what might be convenient for us. We did not have a pitch-in at that time.

A young couple I know would drop in on the preacher and his family around supper time about once a week and would spend the whole evening without checking first to see if it was suitable with the preacher’s family or not. No consideration was given as to what plans might have been made by the preacher and his family for the evening. When this couple was asked about this they replied, “They live in the house that belongs to the church, and since we are a part of the church that makes the house ours and we can go into our house any time we want.” This reflects the attitude that some have: “We pay him, he and his belong to us. He had better jump whenever he is told.” Again I ask, did I mention that some brethren will take advantage of preachers?

God’s plan calls for elders to oversee – preachers to preach – members to live and work with all as his children. It takes all members, each doing his best for the body of Christ to be built up (Eph. 4:16).

Problems exist because the people in the church fail to be as God would have them to be one to the other. These problems would be done away with if we would all be as God would have us to be.

Now comes the question. Am I helping to do away with these problems or am I helping to create them? Let’s all learn to do better.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 14, pp. 432-434
July 16, 1987

By Irven Lee

In the very first part of the book of Joshua the Lord gave this capable leader of Israel counsel on how he could have “good success” in his work in bringing the Israelites into their promised land. The Lord promised that He would not fail or forsake him, but He would see to it that Joshua would divide the land unto the people. That was the divine side of the plan. Joshua was to be strong and of good courage; he was to obey the law of God, turning not to the right hand or to the left; and he was to meditate on the law constantly. Joshua did his part, and God kept His promise. There was “good success” (Josh. 21:45; 23:14).

That kind of reverence for God and respect for His law today will make it possible for a happy young couple to have “good success” in the task of home making. Happiness is a by-product of humble obedience to the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:2). Open violation of this law brings failure in all precious spiritual endeavors.

Finding a good wife who is faithful and worthy, and having a family of well-trained children, is the greatest find a man can make. This is “good success” (Prov. 18:22; 31:10-31; Psa. 127:3-5). If he has a wonderful home so do his wife and children. If his home is a failure for him, it is a sad experience for his family also. The success or failure of the home affects every member of the family and many more.

Does any one know of anything worse in this life than an ungodly home and the divorce which marks the final crash of the failure? Each day of fife after that brings some of the bitter taste of the failure to keep God’s laws that relate to family life. The aftermath of this spectacle comes to the guilty parties and to the innocent. None escapes the horror. Relatives, the church, and the community suffer also in many such cases. Even the welfare of the nation is harmed many ways by the instability of so many families.

A Divorce To Think About

My telephone rang one day a few decades ago. A woman to whom I sometimes preached called to tell me that her husband had asked for a divorce. There were five young children each only a little younger than the brother or sister just older. They had been living on a very limited budget. It was heart rending just to hear of that husband and father’s request.

I went to the man to try to learn his viewpoint. He did talk. He told about a day when at lunch time he happened to eat at the same table with one of the women who worked at the plant where he worked. They talked and laughed and found it pleasant together. They soon sat down together again, and then it became a habit. One day she asked if he were happily married. He thought about that question and “realized” that he was not. I got in on the story when he was ready to desert his family and live with that woman who ate lunch at his table.

You may use your imagination to tell the story of the future. Was he very happy with the woman that was willing to take him away from his wife and children? Would she be a worthy wife like the woman of Proverbs 31?

What would the future be for the wife who was left with the children? We may suppose that she, too, had at first been a pleasant companion to the one who became her husband and the father of her children. But now things have changed! He would find bills to pay, noise at his house when he came home, and a tired wife to talk with. He decided that he was not happily married. I wonder if he would have recognized happiness if he met it in the road?

That family of nominal church members were not faithful Christians. I could not list her faults and his, but they were, at least, guilty of not being all they should have been. Repenting and removing the faults would have been the way for them to find a happier situation. Violating the marriage law and deserting the wife he had married and deserting his children is not the way to go looking for happiness or heaven. A man who will not provide for the physical and spiritual needs of his own family has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel (1 Tim. 5:8). He and his own wife could have made a much better home.

Think of what may have happened to the children. They would grow up without a father. Each and every child needs a father to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Children cannot provide for themselves things that cost money. A mother of five young children is in no position to be a bread winner. Those five children, if they still live, are now adults. They were not in those early days taught to be Christians. Do you suppose they are now walking in the steps of Jesus? They did not ask to be born, but their very existence presented a crying need for tender love and care. Each had a soul worth more than the world.

Think of the woman who talked and laughed at the lunch table. Do you think her life has been worth living? She is now old enough for social security if she still lives. Death will soon come to her if it has not already. What then?

Who wins when there are such divorces? Circumstances vary from one divorce to another, but each brings something other than the best. Each is a giant step down toward disappointment for some. A divorce is a legal document obtained by paying court costs, and a copy may be kept as a badge of failure in life’s most important undertaking. Some have trophies for outstanding athletic accomplishment, plaques for special honor for faithful work over a period of years, or for some very heroic deed. Divorce papers are not framed and placed with such trophies.

Are you working at the challenge of being a good marriage companion and a good parent? If not, why not? Will the divorce rate ever come down in a wonderful way in America? The influence of Christ is in that direction, so a great religious awakening would bless our country that is now so much under the influence of immoral atheists. “Awake thou that sleepest” (Eph. 5:14-17; Rom. 13:10-14). Think of how rewarding “good success” in the family would be to all and how serious failure and divorce would be. See that you walk circumspectly.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 14, p. 436
July 16, 1987

By Mike Baggett

There are few things in life as difficult as swallowing one’s pride. That’s what my wife and I had to do when we learned the error of our ways.

On August 10, 1986, my wife and I discussed our future with the liberal church with which I was preaching. Our decision to leave was based on repeated failure to turn the brethren from the error of their ways, after we ourselves had learned the truth.

In March 1986, 1 began a personal study on my own of issues facing the church. There were many things about the liberal church that I had my doubts about since our fleeing denominationalism and being baptized into the Body of Christ. There were certain things about the liberal church that brought back memories of the Baptist church! After all, I wanted the world to know that Christ’s church is different! But it seemed to me that many of the churches were on a head-on collision course with the denominations!

One of the practices that disturbed me is having social meals in our buildings of worship. We never used the building where I preached for this purpose, but almost all the brethren with whom we had fellowship had built their own dining halls! I was teased when I expressed doubts about spending God’s money for such purposes. Some of their elders and men treat the local church treasury as if it was their own! They have their special jokes about the church treasury, but God’s Word, not man’s, distinguishes the use of this money from that of our own bank accounts! My studies soon revealed this truth. There is no way anyone can defend the building of dinner halls, gyms, or camp houses, using only God’s Word! The church treasury is for the work of the Lord, and not for entertaining the brethren!

Soon I reasoned that if I could be wrong about spending God’s money on one thing, I could very well be wrong about another! I spent hours in my study for weeks on end studying about church supported orphan homes, widow homes, and homes for the aged. And do you know what? I found no authority in the New Testament for the system my brethren had created and sought to defend! With the help, and advice of many conservative brethren, I soon stood firmly against institutionalism! I would not teach the congregation until my wife was convinced. Thank God her heart was open unto the truth. Now I could teach the brethren!

For about two months, I labored with the brethren over the issues. After about six weeks, great opposition sprang up. One brother told me, $6you’re sawing on a limb.” This means you are cutting off your own support. I continued to teach in their homes and from the pulpit the doctrine some called of “Satan” and a perverted “man’s theory.” When the men had a special meeting about my “new doctrine,” I knew we would not last long.

I was out of town when they had the meeting. A good friend, and brother, told me when I got home. We had studied the issues together, and even though he seemed convinced of the truth also, he would not speak in my defense. Neither would another brother who had said, “I’ll stand with you if no one else will.” Now I know how Jesus must have felt being deserted of the eleven. In my last meeting with the men, I experienced what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:16, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me.” I can also say, as Paul said in v. 17, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.” The men told me again, “Stop teaching your anti doctrine.” They also said, “We don’t won’t to hear about negative things concerning the church; preach on love, good works, or how to live.” I told them I would not stop preaching the issues. My wife and I decided that day to move back to our home town.

With the help of conservative brethren from many congregations we were able to move that week. The letters of love, concern, and support flooded our mailbox! The love of Christ was demonstrated to us when we took our step of faith. I thank God for all the holy brethren we have come to know in the past nine months. We are still very new in the truth. And we look forward to the years we pray to have in continuing to grow, and hopefully teach others the danger of departing from God’s Word. Reader, if you are attending the “mainstream” church, I say this kindly, can you justify with book chapter and verse, “church of Christ” softball teams, dinner halls, camp houses, orphan homes, and church supported colleges?

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 15, p. 457
August 6, 1987

By Larry Ray Hafley

The title above is not mine. The article below is not mine. Read it with pleasure and profit from it. We will have more to say about the article at its conclusion. Now, the article:

A determination to “worship God in one’s own way, ” rather than according to the way commanded in His word, has characterized the rebel-heart of sin corrupted man from the earliest days of human history. It was “the way of Cain.” And sinful man is still loathe to believe in a God who is so narrow as to accept only such worship as is freely, lovingly and adoringly offered Him in full conformity to the pattern He has Himself carefully prescribed in His Word.

Considerable attention is given, in the scriptures, to “the place which the Lord thy God shall choose.” Twenty-one times, in the book of Deuteronomy, such a place is mentioned; nine times it is accompanied by an explanatory clause, “to put his name there” though this thought is to be understood in every reference to the place.

As relates to His people, “the name of the Lord” is of deep significance. References to it may be found from Genesis 4:26 to Revelation 22:4. From the earliest time God has been calling out “a people for His name” a people upon whom His very nature and character are to be impressed; His workmanship, a people for His eternal glory and praise!

The habitual practice of calling upon his name has been an outstanding characteristic of God’s greatest servants through the ages. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, David and the prophets often called upon that incomparable name (Gen. 12:8; 26:25; Psa. 99:6; 116:2-4; etc.).

On many occasions the Lord is said to act, or is called upon to act, for his name’s sake – that His name may not be dishonored (Josh. 7:9; 1 Sam. 12:21). Yet, many of His own servants have acted in such a way as to bring dishonor and reproach upon His worthy name! Thus they have caused the name of the Lord to be blasphemed among His enemies (2 Sam. 12:14; Rom. 2:24; etc.).

With this in mind, one may grasp something of the seriousness of violating the third commandment: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain!” So also may one better evaluate the Lord’s commendation of those who, in the midst of wholesale apostasy, “thought upon His name” (Mal. 3:16) and had “not denied His name” (Rev. 3:8).

Furthermore, this enables one to more fully appreciate the sacred significance of the place (physical location) where the Lord has chosen to put His name, and the place (spiritual center) “where two or three are gathered together in his name!” But merely saying that we gather in that holy name does not make it true! Only as we come, with humble hearts, to the place He has appointed, and the manner He has prescribed in His word – only then do we really gather in his name! And only then may we rightfully claim His presence, and experience the greatness of His power as He honors and blesses His own word of truth!

The Place of God’s Own Choice

In Deuteronomy 12 several references are made to “the place which the Lord shall choose to put his name there” (vs. 5,11,14,18,21,26). Three times the admonition is given to “Take heed to thyself” (vs. 13,19,30). Rather than doing “every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes” (vs. 8), they are to do “that which is right in the sight of the Lord!” (vs. 25,28)

Two other expressions are of special note. “Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God” (Deut. 12:4). This is a prohibition of their worshiping the Lord in the places where the Canaanites had worshiped their idols. Again, “Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God” (vs. 31). This forbids their worshiping the Lord after the manner in which the Canaanites had worshiped. Everything connected with Canaanite worship was abominable in the sight of the Lord; thus were the Canaanites to be totally wiped out – even to their names!

Instructions Concerning Worship

Knowing that he was soon to be taken from his beloved people, Moses delivered a lengthy address (recorded in Deuteronomy 5 through 25) concerning the worship and service that Israel was to render unto the Lord, their God. In chapters 12-26 he dealt with specific matters, and particular circumstances, with which they would have to deal once they had entered the land of Promise. In chapter 12 he deals with the objects, places and modes of worship that Israel will find in the land they are about to occupy. He makes it quite clear that there is to be no toleration or imitation of Canaanite religion. The objects (vs. 3), centers (vs. 2) and forms (vs. 30,31) of Canaanite worship are to be utterly destroyed! Israel is to serve Jehovah alone, the place and manner of the national worship is to be according to the Lord’s own direction – not according to their own designs!

Moses calls the attention of his brethren to a number of important matters. They are instructed to destroy the high places of the heathen (vs. 2). They must not presume to do “whatsoever is right” in their own eyes (vs. 8). Heed must be given that offerings are presented only at the place appointed by the Lord – where His people are to do all that He has commanded (vs. 14). If they and their children are to prosper, they must hear and observe His word – doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord their God (vs. 28). They are specifically warned against trying to pattern their worship of Jehovah after that of the idolaters that God has commanded them to drive out of the land (vs. 30, 31)! And I think that God must feel like vomiting every time He sees one of His churches presuming to worship Him, and do the work He had commanded, by aping the world’s methods and singing the world’s tunes.

The ways of the heathen are an abomination to the Lord; He hates them! They even sacrifice their children by fire, to their idols! And Israel must never do that! If you want to know just how much God hates such rebellion as turns away the hearts of His people from following His order, just read Deuteronomy 13! The only way to serve the Lord acceptably is by doing what he has commanded – plus nothing; minus nothing (vs. 32). And that principle holds just as true today as it did the day that Moses first proclaimed it in Israel!

The Wretchedness of Israel’s Ways

The history of ancient Israel is filled with illustrations of her failure to follow the divinely appointed order of worship. David’s “new cart” (2 Sam. 6:3) and the 46great altar” built by Ahaz (2 Kings 16:15) are but isolated illustrations of their departure from God’s ways. Nehemiah 8:17 shows how lightly great and good men had treated God’s instructions; from the days of Joshua, to the end of the Babylonian Captivity (almost 1,000 years), the Feast of Tabernacles has not once been observed in the manner that the Lord had commanded!

But, we must not too quickly assume an air of spiritual superiority over such a “disobedient and gainsaying people!” In reality, the history of the Lord’s New Covenant people has too often mimicked the rebellion of our predecessors under the Old Covenant! Spiritual principles that fairly shout from the book of Acts and the epistles have been totally ignored by many who, in other respects, have been mighty leaders among the people of God. And any modern Nehemiah who dares rock the ecclesiastical boat, by insistently calling his brethren back to “the ancient landmarks” of the faith, is certain to be resented, rebuffed and rejected – even by many who insist on their love for the Lord!

Particular About His Name

The Lord has always been jealous for His holy name. He has been most particular with regard to the place that He chose to put his name.

From the very founding of the covenant-nation, He made known His intention to search out a place for His “memorial name” – a place to which His people were to come and meet Him in worship. At first He placed His name in Shiloh (Jer. 7:12); but, ultimately, He chose Jerusalem (2 Chron. 6:20); acceptable worship could be offered to Him only in the place that he had chosen for that purpose.

Nevertheless, the people of Israel constantly flouted the commandment of the Lord. Her wicked kings and people worshiped idols and raised altars to them throughout the land (2 Kings 17:10). Even those who served Jehovah so far abandoned his appointed order that, instead of approaching Him at the place he had chosen, they imitated the Canaanites by sacrificing to Him in the “high places” which they (without his consent) devoted to Him (2 Chron. 33:17). Needless to say, their sacrifices were rejected; they were an abomination to Him!

High Places and High Places

Recognition of two distinct kinds of “high places” in Israel will help to resolve a number of apparent contradictions in the scriptures relative to the taking away of the same: (1) by King Asa (1 Kings 14:14; Cf. 2 Chron. 14:3); and (2) by King Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:43; Cf. 2 Chron. 17:6). The matter is compounded by realization that the writer of the Chronicles, who pictures Asa and Jehosphaphat as taking away the high places, elsewhere declares that they did not take them away (2 Chron. 15:17; 20:33). And the perplexity is deepened when one reads, in the very context where it is said that Asa failed to remove the high places, that the writer of First Kings specifically states that He did remove “all the idols” and that he even removed the queen-mother, Maachah, for having erected an idolatrous center of worship for her own private use (1 Kings 15:12-14).

The dilemma is solved by recognition that there existed two distinct types of high places – those used for the worship of idols, and those exclusively devoted to the worship of Jehovah, the God of Israel. It appears that both Samuel and Solomon actually offered sacrifices in these high places – though there is no evidence that David did so (1 Sam. 9:12; 1 Kings 3:2,3). Thus, it becomes apparent that Asa and Jehoshaphat destroyed the high places devoted to idols, but failed to destroy those wherein Israel attempted to worship Jehovah according to the method wherein the Canaanites worshiped their idols! Each context that mentions the destruction of the high places, by Asa and Jehoshaphat connects them, in some way, to the worship of idols.

No king in Israel was ever courageous enough to make a clean sweep of all the high places until Hezekiah destroyed them (2 Chron. 31:1). So foreign was this act to the prevailing concept of propriety that the messenger of Assyria’s king used it as a primary reason why Judah could not expect help from Jehovah (2 Chron. 32:12)! But God’s attitude toward this courageous act of Hezekiah’s is set forth in 2 Chronicles 31:20,21. The nation ultimately did manifest their approval of Hezekiah in that they buried him in the “chiefest of the sepulchers of the sons of David” (2 Chron. 32:33).

To the shame of undiscerning men, the fidelity and spiritual worth of some of God’s greatest saints are never recognized until they are dead and gone from this earthly scene. But the Lord is keeping records; those who are zealous for His holy name, and who endeavor to walk faithfully in the way that He has appointed, will not lose their reward! God is faithful to those who trust in Him!

For Our Learning

Instead of thinking this Old Testament lesson has no instruction for us, let us remember Paul’s declaration that the things which happened in those ancient times are recorded “for our examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11). Moses’ parting words to ancient Israel still have deep significance for a people who are nearing the consummation of the ages!

The place where the Lord put His name is no longer a particular geographical location; yet, it is still very real! The words of Jesus in Matthew 28:20 still contain a principle of gathering for a New Testament people – though it is one of which many seem to be woefully ignorant.

Jesus Christ established his church, set forth the principles under which it was to function, commissioned it with full authority to carry out His plan for this age, placed his name within it – His authority upon its service – and revealed His intention that, through its instrumentality, God would be glorified within its boundaries in every generation of this age -unto the consummation of the age of ages!”

There is not a shred of biblical evidence that Jesus Christ ever approved any departure from the institution that He Himself established. No church-institution founded by a mere man has ever been authorized to share in the work that Jesus specifically commissioned His church to do! And any attempt to do his work in a way that violates the specific order He established is equivalent to Israel’s attempt to worship Jehovah their God after the manner that the Canaanites worshiped their idols – in the high places! God has already rejected the worship of the “high places,” and forever!

To reject God’s order; to insist upon the right to “worship in the church of one’s own choice, ” to invent an “order of worship” contrary to that which he prescribed, and to focus attention on human feelings and worth, rather than upon the God of glory, honor, holiness, majesty and awe, is to practice that which is an abomination in His sight! It is nothing less than an attempt to offer Him that which He has already repudiated and declared accursed!

The high places still vary a great deal in their character. Some are obviously abominable! Others are so deceptively alluring as to tempt the most sincere heart that is not familiar with God’s wise plan. But the blessing, approval and “crowns” of the Lord are only for those who “strive lawfully” (2 Tim. 2:5) – those whose hearts are glad to walk in the way of the Lord’s own commandment!

Reflections and Comments

The author of the lengthy article above is Eugene Garner, a Missionary Baptist preacher. The article appeared in The Clarion Herald, which is the monthly bulletin of the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, Rockford, Il. Surprised?

Soft, liberal, compromising brethren need to read and heed Garner’s plea for pure worship. Ironically, an article like Baptist Garner’s is “too narrow, too legalistic” for the Unity Forum’s being conducted by brethren in liberal churches and those in the Christian Church. How far have brethren drifted when a Baptist preacher writes an article whose principles and precepts are too binding and confining, too strict and stringent, for them to amen?

Of even greater irony is the fact that men like Mr. Garner are being joined by the liberal crowd while members of the church who demand book, chapter and verse are being jilted. Liberals woo and coo as they court and support their denominational “brethren,” but they stew and spew when they deny and defy their “legalistic brethren.” So, a Missionary Baptist preacher who accepts

(1) Calvinism – especially total hereditary depravity, irresistible grace (direct operation of the Holy Spirit) and perseverance of the saints (once saved, always saved).

(2) Perverted local church organization – Pastor system.

(3) Polluted worship – mechanical music, giving other than first day of the week, irregular observance of the Lord’s supper.

(4) Human names – Missionary Baptist.

(5) Salvation before and without water baptism – I repeat, a Missionary Baptist, as per Mr. Garner, accepts all of the above items; yet he is comforted, and we are tormented by the liberals in Jeroboam’s bosom.

Fact is, all must apply and appropriate the biblical principles so ably set forth by Eugene Garner. Jesus said, “But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men” (Matt. 15:9 – NASB).

If a practice or precept is not found in the “one faith” of the gospel, it is not of the “one Lord” of the church and should not be in the “one body” of the saints. That principle is the ground of our contention. Is it faulty? We contend for it and will continue to do so until shown that it is untrue. Good words and fair speeches may deceive some, but our aim is to reveal and observe all that is appointed in the New Testament and to rebuke and obscure all that is not approved therein. It is not a matter of God’s love, grace and mercy. It is not a question of one’s sincerity or desire to do right. It is a question of Divine authority.

Sadly, the travesty and tragedy of worship in “high places” continues. It will not be silenced by Garner’s eloquent appeal, as even his own Missionary Baptist practices so vividly demonstrate. This is, therefore, not the time (if there ever is such a time) for gospel preachers and teachers to cease sounding out the word of the Lord regarding true, scriptural worship.

Be not deceived: these issues will not die. The devil will see to that. However, opposition to them must not die, either. Faithful brethren must see to that.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 14, pp. 426-428
July 16, 1987