Truth Magazine

By Jimmy Tuten

Introduction:

A. Matthew 5:8; 6:20-21; 12:33-35 – The thought content of these passages is:

1. The religion of Jesus Christ is a “heart religion.” But it is not the “heart felt religion” of Pentecostalism where assurance of salvation is based on how one feels, rather than what the Word of God teaches (Rom. 8:16-17).

2. All obedience to God must come from the heart and God is not pleased unless the heart is right with God.

3. What the Bible teaches about the heart and what men think about it are poles apart. It is vital that we know what the Bible heart is.

4. In the New Testament the heart stands for the entire inner life: the capacity of a person to feel, think, and resolve, with emphasis on thinking and willingness.

B. Churches of Christ have been accused of having a heartless religion. Such is not the case. The thesis of this lesson is to demonstrate this point.

Body:

I. The word “heart” in the Bible means mainly the center and source of the whole inner life (F. Wilbur Gingrich, Lexicon). In the heart:

A. Sin is committed (Matt. 5:28).

B. Forgiveness is granted (Matt. 18:35).

C. Condemnation is felt (1 Jn. 3:20).

D. Thought is formed (Mk. 7:21).

E. Speech is born (Matt. 12:34-37).

F. Obedience is given (Rom. 6:17).

G. Doubt (Mk. 11:23), decision (2 Cor. 9:7), deception (Jas. 1:26), belief (Rom. 10:9), sorrow (Jn. 16:6) and assurance are all affairs of the heart.

II. Members of the body of Christ walk by faith and not by fleshly feeling (2 Cor. 5:7). Our true heart felt faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), and our heart is attuned to God’s Word. Our feelings are the result of our faith, and not our faith the result of our feelings. Christians believe in “heart felt religion” the way the Bible teaches it. Not the kind the denominations espouse.

A. “I feel it in my heart” is no more a standard to determine salvation than saying “I feel in my heart that my bank balance is correct,” “I feel in my heart that this board is 6 feet long,” etc.

1. The reason: this is subjective and subject to change depending upon the person, “experience, ” etc. One needs an objective standard in all fields.

B. The Bible says you cannot trust your feelings when it comes to salvation (Prov. 28:26; Jcr. 10:23; Prov. 14:12).

C. We are to trust in God (Prov. 3:5), for He has given Scripture to make one wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15; 2 Pet. 1:3).

III. What is the heart that must be converted? A thing is known by what it does, i.e., a farmer farms, a teacher teaches, etc. The major functions of the heart may be classified in four groups; from these one can learn what the heart is that must be changed.

A. It has an intellectual process (thinks, Matt. 9:4; Heb. 4:12; – reasons, Mk. 2:8; – understands, Matt. 13:15; – believes, Rom. 10:9-10).

B. It has emotional processes (loves, Matt. 22:37; despises, 2 Sam. 6:16; – rejoices, Psa. 33:21; – suffers anguish, 2 Cor. 2:4; -may be stolen, 2 Sam. 15:1-6).

C. It has the process of will (a will that purposes, Acts 11:23; 2 Cor. 9:7; – determines, 1 Cor. 7:37. This is the process of the will).

D. It has the process of conscience (pricked, Acts 2:37; – cut, Acts 5:33; – condemns, 1 Jn. 3:20-21).

E. When one thinks of the heart he must take into account all of these things.

IV. What can happen to my heart?

A. It can be stolen (2 Sam. 15:6).

B. It can be hardened (Ex. 7:15).

C. It can go from a person (2 Kgs. 5:21).

D. It abides with a treasure (Matt. 6:24).

V. The condition of the heart.

A. In early life it is pure (Matt. 183; 19:14).

B. When sin enters the heart, it is poisoned, i.e., the intellect is clouded, the emotions are corrupted and the will is paralyzed. In this state the heart is:

1. Evil (Gen. 6:5; 8:21).

2. Deceitful (Jer. 17:9).

3. Corrupt (Eph. 4:18).

C. We are responsible for this and we must change the heart (there is no salvation without a change of heart, Matt. 5:8; 1 Pet. 1:22; Jas. 4:8).

VI. How is this change of heart brought about?

A. The intellect is changed by testimony (God affects this with evidence that produces faith (Jn. 20:30-31; Rom. 10:17). Illustration: An attorney labors to change the minds of a jury with reference to his client. He wants the jury to think, reason, understand and believe that his client is innocent of the charges against him. Therefore he sets before the jury testimony which he considers necessary to convince them and to cause them to have a desired attitude toward his client.

B. The emotions are changed by loveliness, i.e., by God’s love (Rom. 5:8; Jn. 3:16; 2 Cor. 8:9). Illustration: When a young man tries to win the affections of a young woman, he does not resort to intellectual arguments. He shows his own affections and does things for her.

C. The will is changed by motives (goodness of God, Rom. 2:4; – fear of judgment, Acts 17:30-31. These are powerful motives inducing obedience). Illustration: Parents place motives before their children to induce obedience. A drunken father and/or husband may be won back if the proper motives are placed before him.

D. The conscience is changed by fight-doing (Active faith must follow understanding what God has done through Jesus, His Son, Jas. 2; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 4:17). Illustration: A man who has mistreated a fellow man (if he is honest and knows how God feels about it) can never have peace of mind until he has done what he can do to correct it.

Conclusion:

1. Hebrews 4:7, “Today if ye shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

2. The story is told of a young woman who was greatly distressed because she could not “experience” a change of heart. Someone pointed out to her that her heart had already been changed, with the exception of her conscience, i.e., she already believed in Jesus, had a tender feeling for Him and wanted to serve Him. She needed to act on the desire to serve Him by obedience. Like the Eunuch of Acts 8 her biblical “heart-felt” action would rejoice. She too could go her way rejoicing!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 4, pp. 106-107
February 19, 1987

By Irven Lee

“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42,43). This is a clear word picture of a sad situation. These many rulers were almost certainly among the better educated and more highly respected citizens in the land. They were men of influence, and they loved their chief seats too much to risk offending the Pharisees, which was the strictest sect among the Jews (Acts 26:5).

The Pharisees coveted the praise of the chief rulers, also (Matt. 23:1-7). Each group was happy to have the praise of the other. It was a matter of you praise us and we will praise you. You scratch my back and I will scratch yours! Was not that prize a vain thing? They paid a great price to obtain it. The chief rulers would not confess their belief in God’s Son. They pleased men rather than God.

There was no way to confess faith in Christ without facing the ugly sarcasm and hate of the Pharisees. The ninth chapter of John tells the story of Christ’s healing a blind man. That grateful man took his stand in defense of the One who had healed him, and his wisdom was evident in the answers to those who reviled him. His parents were like the many chief rulers who believed. They showed no gratitude to the One who had given sight to their son who had never seen.

“His parents answered them, and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now seeth, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These works spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him” (John 9:20-23). They were not as ignorant as they professed they were. They refused to express confidence in and gratitude for the One who had done so much for their son. This seems to be an incredible thing. What will some people do to win the praise of men?

The threats of the Pharisees and other prominent Jews had its desired effect. Many bowed before them and did not stand for their convictions. How many other such men were there in Israel in those days who were very quiet about their beliefs? None knows, but there must have been many like the parents of the blind man and the chief rulers to which reference was made. If they had boldly proclaimed their faith in Christ the eyes of many others might have been opened through their influence.

There was some basis in the mind of Christ for selecting Peter, James, John and others to be apostles. They were not highly educated or socially prominent men (Acts 4:13). They did have some preconceived ideas about the kingdom that hindered their understanding of the mission of Christ (Matt. 20:20-28). Our Lord selected men who could be rebuked without turning back (John 6:66). They could hear truths that shocked them without losing faith (Matt. 19:23-25).

Jesus could say to the apostles: “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear” (Matt. 13:16). The god of this world had blinded the eyes of some (2 Cor. 4:4). They could not see because they would not look, and they could not hear because they would not listen. Preaching to people like this is somewhat like casting pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6; 13:15). Being willing to do the will of God has something to do with our ability to understand it. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).

Nineteen hundred years ago there were men who would not pay the price to boldly teach the truth. Are there such people in America today? When men go out to sow the word, do they find the wayside soil, the shallow soil, and the thorny ground, as well as the good soil? Can there be any doubt? There must be many that know better than their behavior would indicate. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because he knew the power and love it involved (Rom. 1:16). Timothy was one of the truly great men of that first century, but he was warned not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of the persecuted saints (2 Tim. 1:8). If Paul needed the prayers of saints that he should speak boldly as he ought to speak, and if Timothy needed to be warned, surely we must need the same (Eph. 6:19,20).

“And, behold, there was a man Joseph, a counselor, and he was a good man, and a just . . . who also himself waited for the kingdom of God” (Luke 23:50,51). Joseph and Nicodemus gave our Lord’s body honorable burial. That must have taken courage on that day when the Christ had been mocked, scourged, and crucified by the mob, but what of Joseph’s record before. He had been a secret disciple for fear of the Jews (John 19:38)! Joseph is mentioned as being rich and honorable and, on this special day, as being bold. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John mention Joseph’s good deed in the matter of the burial of the body of Christ. Think how much more beautiful the word picture would have been if he had been a bold friend of the Christ while He lived rather than a secret disciple in those days.

Could we find men who are honorable counselors among the more liberal churches who realize that the praise of men is a dominant force among them? Would they like to stand with us if it did not entail being called an “anti” or some other such unpleasant name. Please, come on out of the darkness and stand in the light for the sake of your soul, your family’s welfare, and for the influence you could have on your neighbors. Love would cause you to obey (John 14:15,21,23).

It is still true that those who would live godly lives in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Men are needed who will do the work of an evangelist and endure the affliction that follows the good work. If you teach the truth as it is in Christ you will be called a legalist, a bigot, a trouble maker, and such, and you will be regarded as being narrow, but you will please God.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 4, pp. 99-100
February 19, 1987

By Daniel W. Petty

“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones” (Prov. 14:30, KJV). When the Wise Man exhorted, “Keep thy heart” (Prov. 4:23), he was encouraging us to keep ourselves free from evil thoughts and improper attitudes from which all sorts of sinful conduct proceed. A “sound heart” is one that is free from such corruptions as greed, evil desire, resentment, or pride, and is therefore healthy. The heart that is free from envy (“passion,” NASB) is sound in the sense of being at peace with itself. Another good translation is “a tranquil heart” (NASB). There is a connection here noted between tranquility or soundness of heart, and good physical health. Whether the writer of the proverb was speaking entirely metaphorically (e.g., “a sound heart is [like] life to the body,” etc.) is debated. In any case, experience certainly teaches that people who are torn apart from within with envy or resentment toward others are not happy or healthy people; it is to them “rottenness to the bones.” And it is a sin sickness of the soul that can destroy us.

The Hebrew word qinah is found 46 times in the Old Testament, and may be translated “envy,” “jealousy,19 16 zeal.” The New Testament uses two words, primarily, to denote the concept of envy or jealousy. Zelos occurs in its various forms about 28 times, and means “zeal,” “jealousy,” or “envy.” Phthonos is found about ten times as “envy” or “jealousy.” These two Greek words are joined together by Paul in Galatians 5:20-21.

An interesting difference between zelos and phthonos is that the former word is sometimes used in a good sense. In John 2:17, Jesus quoted Psalm 69:9 to say, “Zeal for Thy house will consume me.” Here it referred to His passionate, jealous concern for the temple and its worship. Paul testified of the Jews that they had “a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge” (Rom. 10:2). The Corinthians were noted by Paul for their exemplary zeal in giving, which had stirred up the Macedonians (2 Cor. 9:2). R.C. Trench says, “When zelos is taken in good part, it signifies the honorable emulation, with the consequent imitation, of that which presents itself to the mind’s eye as excellent” (Synonyms of the New Testament, p. 87). As used in this nobler sense, zeal is “that active emulation which grieves, not that another has the good, but that itself has it not; and which, not pausing here, seeks to supply the deficiencies which it finds in itself” (Trench, p. 88).

But zelos is most often used in Scripture to denote that baser passion of jealousy, into which that “active emulation” has degenerated. “Jealousy” and “strife” often are found together as fitting partners (Rom. 13:13; 2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20). That good which we see in another has become a symbol of resentment, competition, and even enmity.

Phthonos, “envy,” is always used in a bad sense. Vine defines it as a “feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage of prosperity of others.” The distinction, Vine explains, between “envy” and “jealousy,” though very slight, is “that envy desires to deprive another of what he has, jealousy desires to have the same or the same sort of thing for itself.”

The condition of heart we are defining is therefore that feeling of indignation, resentment, or bad feeling that may result from pride, selfish ambition, covetousness, or inordinate competition. We all know what jealousy is because we were all children once, and jealousy is certainly a childish trait. Siblings naturally are jealous of one another, and parents know of the difficulty of trying not to give one child any apparent advantage over the others. Parents also know that as children grow to adulthood, they should learn to overcome such childish jealousy.

But such attitudes continue to linger in us even as adults. Uncontrolled, they are often the cause of the breakdown of marriages, of strife between Christians. The ugly monster of jealousy manifests itself because of some physical or material advantage of others; so-and-so makes more money, etc. It appears because someone was not included in a social activity. People are jealous because of someone else’s talents or abilities, because a good idea was somebody else’s, or because others get to have the “say-so.”

There are many examples of jealousy found in God’s word, and they illustrate what the consequences of this uncontrolled passion can be. Cain killed his brother because he was jealous that the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but not for his own (Gen. 4:4-5). Joseph was the victim of his brother’s jealousy, and was sold into slavery (Gen. 37:11; Acts 7:9). Joshua begged Moses to restrain Eldad and Medad from prophesying in the camp of Israel, because of his jealousy (Num. 11:26-29). It was for envy that Korah led his rebellion against Moses and Aaron, and met his unfortunate fate (Num. 16; cf. Psa. 106:16). Jealousy toward David became an obsession with King Saul, driving him to hound David in efforts to kill him (I Sam. 18:8). The chief priests of the Jews delivered up Jesus to be crucified “because of envy” (Matt. 27:18; Mk. 15: 10). Paul was driven from Antioch of Pisidia and Thessalonica as a result of the jealousy of the Jews, as they observed the crowds of people coming to hear the gospel preached (Acts 13:45; 17:5).

Jealousy and envy are not proper attitudes for Christians (Rom. 13:13). Paul classes envy among all sorts of unrighteous behavior which is more fitting for those with a “depraved mind” (Rom. 1:28-29). The church in Corinth was guilty of jealousy and strife, and Paul rebuked them as a bunch of immature, spiritual babies. Their behavior was of a carnal or fleshly nature. Paul was forced to deal with them harshly because they refused to put away such childish, unspiritual behavior (1 Cor. 3:1-3). As children of God who are led by the Spirit, we are to put away such attitudes as jealousy as works of the flesh (Gal. 5:20-21). As imitators of the love of Christ, we must learn that jealousy is not consistent with true love (1 Cor. 13:4).

The “wisdom from above” tells us that “jealousy and selfish ambition” only causes “disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:13-18). The person who is “wise and understanding” knows that “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” is a “lie against the truth” and the source of disorder, strife, and conflict. The Wise Man wrote, “Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?” (Prov. 27:4) “And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel” (James 4:2). At the heart of many a doctrinal controversy there is also “envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions” (1 Tim. 6:4). The Apostle Paul expressed his fears that at his arrival in Corinth he would find “strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances” (2 Cor. 12:20). Would he be afraid to visit many congregations today?

We hate to admit it, but some preachers are apparently motivated by jealousy or envy of others. The same thing existed in Paul’s day: “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will” (Phil. 1:15-16). What a shame it is when something as beautiful as the gospel message, and as noble as the work of preaching it, is tarnished by a jealous pride or selfish ambition that resents the God-given talents of other ministers of the gospel, or belittles and tears down the good work that others have done. The jealous attitude needs to be purged from the hearts of many Christians, and some preachers ought to lead the way.

We will eliminate thoughts of jealousy (“envies,” 1 Pet. 2:1, KJV) from our hearts as we grow in Christ. “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet. 2:1-2). The word of God can heal sin-sick hearts, if we will apply its teachings to our lives, “being not forgetful hearers, but doers. . . . “

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 4, pp. 112-113
February 19, 1987

By Raymond E. Harris

The article, “An Expression of Concern” found elsewhere in this journal is signed by over 200 preachers. They are all numbered among that segment of the church which endorses church financial support of human institutions and the sponsoring church arrangement.

They say they have a fervent desire to avert division and prevent further harm to the spiritual body of Christ. That statement seems rather hollow, meaningless and hypocritical coming from men who have personally fostered or supported activities that have caused division in the church for over thirty years.

Where was their concern back through the years when faithful preachers and churches were being called “anti” and being quarantined and cut off because they would not endorse church support for the Herald of Truth and human institutions operating in the field of benevolence.

It is rather remarkable that at this late date the 200 plus preachers are so upset about the “liberalism that is so evident in the brotherhood today.”

Well, just what is it that they label as “liberalism” that they so oppose?

1. They lament the fact that preachers across the country are preaching weak, diluted and polluted sermons. They say it is so bad that in many congregations, preachers, elders and church members can not even identify or recognize true Christianity.

I marvel that they are so surprised at what has happened. Where were they in 1957 when Athens Clay Pullias, President of Lipscomb college was going about the country preaching “Where There Is No Pattern”? Where were they back through the years when big name preachers preached and wrote, “We Do Many Things For Which There Is No Authority”? Didn’t they think young preachers and elders were listening. For more than thirty years Bible and Speech departments in “our” schools have de-emphasized “Book, Chapter and Verse” preaching. Young preachers were taught to have a quiet, conversational delivery. They were taught that evangelism can best be accomplished through benevolence. They lost their respect for the authority of God’s word as college presidents, editors of papers and noted preachers promoted countless unauthorized and unscriptural schemes, organizations and programs.

2. These preachers further bemoan the fact that some brethren want to “restructure the organization, worship and work of the church. ” Again we ask where have you Image of the Church.” Again we ask where have you been? Where were you in 1967 when Jimmy Allen, Pat Boone and Bill Carpenter were featured in the “Greater Indiana Campaign For Christ” when the expressed purpose of the campaign was to “Change and Improve the Image of the Church.”

Where were you on February 16, 1967, when the Gospel Advocate, printed a review of a speech by Athens Clay Putlias, wherein he lamented that in Nashville, TN, a city with more Christians than any other in the world, there was not one hospital operated by Christians. From the context it is obvious that the Advocate endorsed Pullias and that Pullias was advocating a Church of Christ supported hospital.

Where were you October 15, 1981, when the Gospel Advocate ran a classified advertisement for the Garrett, Indiana, church of Christ, wherein they were soliciting an eldership to “oversee the work” there?

For years prominent preachers, college presidents and editors of our “old reliable” papers have discounted plain passages such as 1 Peter 5:14 and Acts 20:28 which limits elders to overseeing a local congregation. For years they have urged that elders can and should “assume” brotherhood projects and programs that reach far beyond the resources and borders of their own congregations. And just now they are concerned about those who would restructure the church.

3. Also we are told of their concern about doctrinal compromise and brethren fellowshipping those in blatant religious error. Where were these troubled brethren back in January of 1967 when the Harding College Bulletin was obviously used to try to encourage young people to attend their school by showing what a wonderful town Searcy, Arkansas was. Among other enticements, on the back page of the bulletin they printed pictures of the church buildings of the First Methodist Church, the First Baptist Church and the St. James Catholic Church right along with that of the Downtown Church of Christ. Does this not suggest that the students at Searcy will have no trouble attending the church of their choice?

Where were they July 12, 1978, when the Nashville Tennessean reported that Dr. Ira North, was co-chairman of Nashville’s Century III steering committee? Is it any wonder some preachers, elders and church members can no longer distinguish true Christianity, when the preacher from Madison, the former Editor of the Advocate, joined with Jews, Catholics, Episcopals, Baptists, Methodists and Nazarenes to study the establishment of an inter-faith institute for Nashville?

4. Our concerned brethren further tell us that they are alarmed by the inroads that worldliness and immorality have made into the churches. We suggest their alarm is terribly belated. With three decades of soft preaching it was inevitable that the church would lose respect for the authority of God’s word. With three decades of practically no church discipline it was inevitable that church members would soon come to understand that they could live any way they pleased and still continue to be in full fellowship in the institutional churches. It is obvious that great masses of these people in churches across the country will continue to get unscriptural divorces, enter into unscriptural marriages, drink, dance, gamble, dress immodestly and live generally as the people of the world live.

5. And then these alarmed brethren make the most unbelievable cry of all. They just can’t understand the typical emphasis on recreation and entertainment. They can’t understand the emphasis on solving the social ills of society. They can’t understand why elders, preachers and churches have allowed recreation, entertainment and social programs to supplant the God-given work of meeting the spiritual needs of those both within and without the body of Christ.

Hogwash! That is surely as hypocritical a charge as you will ever see in print. I would judge that 99 percent of those who signed their names to the article, presently preach for congregations that are engaged in recreational activities and promote or finance social programs. There is not a man among them that will raise his voice against church support of man-made institutions to care for unwed mothers, dependent children or old folks. Few if any have ever opposed the pitch-ins, the luncheons and dinner on the grounds. I dare say most of them preach in buildings that have facilities in which to cook and eat. A large per cent preach presently for churches where they employ a youth minister to cater to the young people’s recreational and social wants. Who do they think they are fooling?

Where were these brethren back in 1963, when the Smithlawn church of Lubbock, along “with several other area churches” began to turn to the social gospel so prevalent in denominational churches? Look at these statements from the December 15th, edition of the Avalanche-Journal. “The Smithlawn Church of Christ . . . is providing the principal support for the service center.” “Our aim is to get the church more directly involved in the purpose of helping and working with people.” “Family counseling services, aid to the downtrodden and help for juvenile delinquents and teenagers with problems, a home for unwed mothers and other social services will be directed through the Main St. Service Center. ” “A soup kitchen will be operated when needed.” The head of their welfare committee said, “It is our feeling that by being of direct service to people who need help, the church is fulfilling its true mission.”

Over the last twenty-five years I have collected (and still have in my possession) countless church bulletins and other accounts of churches of Christ all across America engaged in fish fries, chili suppers, teachers banquets, pitch-in suppers, homecoming dinners, Halloween parties, fellowship dinners, men’s luncheons, church festivals, church open golf tournaments, Hawaiian parties, newcomers parties, Hootenannies, salad suppers, fellowship breakfasts, weekly skating parties, pot-luck business meetings and spaghetti suppers, just to name a few. And now commercial ventures such as Opry Land in Nashville, Tennessee, realize they can profit from this church of Christ entertainment craze by providing a special “Church of Christ Day” at their amusement park. Isn’t it interesting that even people in the business world have known what was going on in churches, but these poor distressed brethren have just now decided they have a problem?

The truth of the matter is this. These wailing brethren would like to be just a little liberal. But now they can see that the whole institutional church is about to be lost in worldliness, the social gospel, and denominationalism.

The truth of the matter is this. Elders, preachers and all Christians will either respect the authority of the Scriptures and remain true and faithful to God or they will be self-willed, turn to their own pleasure and after a few generations drift into complete apostasy.

These Johnny come lately, pseudo defenders of the faith nail their own hides to the wall in their closing statement. Listen as they piously declare, “Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.”

Over the past 25 years many of these men have violated the truth by both falsehood and silence, and now they wonder why their brotherhood does not take them seriously when they warn of apostasy.

Woe be to the Shepherds of Israel!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 4, pp. 103-104
February 19, 1987