Scripture And The Protestant Principle

By Robert F. Turner

The “authority of the church” is undoubtedly the basic point of difference between Roman Catholicism and classic Protestantism, with both Luther and Calvin agreeing that God rests His authority in His Word. But both theologians had accepted another basic tenet which cast doubt upon their “authority.” In his book, “Pattern of Authority,” Bernard Ramm discusses this matter in great detail, and explains: “(1) The human reason had come under certain darkening effects from sin; and (2) being fully persuaded by human reason the believer would still have but human faith.” Ramm says, “The truer Protestant principle is that there is an external principle (the inspired Scripture) and an internal principle (the witness of the Holy Spirit).” This allows their principle of authority to fit their concept of inherited depravity and its solution, the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. But it argues that the Word given by the Holy Spirit was meaningless unless the hearer or reader also had the indwelling Spirit to enlighten and enable one to understand truth.

Ramm quotes James Orr as “I believe the Holy Spirit in the community of God’s people (to interpret truth, rt) may fitly be described as the primal heresy — the heresy of all heresies — in the Christian Church.” In that case, I must be one great heretic, for I believe the Holy Spirit’s initial work in inspiring chosen messengers was adequate, and that the inspired word is understandable to all who will search the Scriptures, desiring truth. Most of my brethren believe this also, but it may be that we do not sufficiently grasp the significance of this great truth, and how it sets us apart from the greater part of our Protestant neighbors. For that reason, we need to consider Scriptures used to justify the position they have taken on this subject.

Almost all who argue the case begin with 1 Corinthians 2:14, “Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.” They say, “There it is, as you can see. ” But I must reply, “If I can see that passage, I can see others, and your proposition fails.” There is no way the evangelical can logically offer scriptural proof for anything, for if one does not have this “spiritual enlightenment” he cannot understand God’s word, and all who do have it must “see” alike if God’s truth is indeed unified. On the other hand, if we are to look at this passage in its context — letting the Scriptures explain the Scriptures — we will come up with a very different conclusion.

The context for this matter begins in chapter one. “For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God” (v. 18). Here, two classes of people hear the same message. One treats it as foolishness, for “the world through its wisdom knew not God” (1:21). When the message of the cross is measured by human wisdom, judged on the basis of what conforms to human wisdom, it is rejected. Another class, just as human, believes the message and is saved. For details, follow the context into the second chapter. Paul says he came not with worldly wisdom, but “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (2:4-5). Notice it is “your faith,” the faith of humans. Faith is the acceptance of evidence, an action on man’s part. But some men believe, some do not The difference is not that God gives “faith” to some, and withholds it from others. The difference is in man’s attitude and standards of judgment.

Paul came “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” “confirming the word by the signs that followed” (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:4). He proved the source of his message to be from heaven, by miraculous sings of confirmation. We no more need further confirmation of the message, than we do of the fact of Christ’s resurrection. These things are written that we may believe (Jn. 20:30-31), and when we read we can perceive Paul’s understanding received by inspiration (Eph. 3:2f). The believers are those who accept the message on the bassi of its divine source; while the disbelievers, trusting only human wisdom for confirmation, call the gospel foolishness.

Now, continue to follow Paul’s message to the Corinthians. He says God must reveal His truth (the things of God) by the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:11). But he does not say all hearers (or readers) must have the Holy Spirit. The “we” and “us” of verse 12, are seen to be the speakers (or writers) of verse 13. “We” (the apostles, inspired men) received, and so speak. Compare the Ephesians passage, “as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit” (3:5); or “that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles” (2 Pet.3:2). There is nothing here to suggest the hearer must have the Holy Spirit, but one who would claim to be a messenger from God must obtain heaven’s truths by inspiration, not by human wisdom. It is well, at this point, to note that today’s teachers only pass on that which the apostles and prophets had revealed unto them (2 Tim.2:2).

The context of the disputed passage clearly distinguishes the “natural” man from the spiritual, on the basis of the standard he trusts for judgment. If Paul is referring to would be “speakers” he says those who trust in worldly wisdom can not be true spokesmen for the things of God. Things of God can come only by inspiration, and that eliminates all but the Apostles and Prophets. If he refers to hearers who can not know things of God, it is because they will accept only that which their worldly wisdom approves hence, the gospel is foolishness to them. In both cases, spiritual truths transcend the physical realm, and must come from God by way of revelation. The so called “Protestant Principle” and those who accept it make a big mistake, here and in John 14, 15, 16 relative to the Comforter, by assuming or applying generally, that which was a specific promise made to Apostles and Prophets of the first century (cf. Luke 24:48-49).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 21, pp. 647-648
November 6, 1986

Have Ye Not Read?

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Does 2 Corinthians 3:17,18 teach that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are identical in some way? Is “the Spirit” directly referring to Jesus or the Holy Spirit? Are Jesus and the Holy Spirit so closely related in work that one can be put for the other?

Reply: The passage inquired about reads: “Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord of the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:17,18).

It is true that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. This is not to say that they are one and the same person, but they are one in the same sense that the Father and the Son are one (Jn. 10:30). The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are separate persons but they are deity. They compose the Godhead. They are God in three persons. They are one in purpose, each performing and functioning in harmony with the other. It is questionable, however, that “the Lord is the Spirit” has reference here to Jesus being identified in some way with the Holy Spirit.

In order to have a clearer understanding of this difficult passage, we should notice verse 6. Here Paul had declared that God had made him and the other apostles sufficient as “ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” The old covenant was given in letters engraven on stone; it was a law of letters. The new covenant, though also written, is a spiritual law (Rom. 8:2). Paul is contrasting the law of letters which could only bring condemnation and death (Rom. 7:7-11; 1 Cor. 15:56), with the”new covenant which gives us life (Rom. 2:27-29; 6:4,11; 8:2, 10,11; 1 Cor. 15:45; Gal. 5:18). It was the former that was being enforced by Paul’s opponents. This being the case, it seems more in harmony with the context, that as Moses stood for the “letter” of the old covenant which he gave, “the Lord” (Christ) is the spirit of the new covenant of which He is the author. It gives us liberty. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). Three laws are mentioned in Romans 8:1-4: the law of the Spirit of life, the law of sin and death and the law of Moses. The law of the Spirit of life (the gospel, or the new covenant) makes men free from the law of sin and death. The law of sin and death is set forth in 7:23. To be a captive of this law is to be dead spiritually; therefore, it is the law of sin and death. Sin reigns and the inevitable result is death (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23). The law of Moses (the third law, Rom. 8:3) could not free men from the law of sin and death because its sacrifices could not take away sin (Heb. 10:4). The spirit that gives life is Christ (2 Cor. 3:17). He sets men at liberty (Lk. 4:18), and this He does by the truth (Jn. 8:32).

There is no doubt that “the Lord” is Christ Jesus in this passage. He was declared to be both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:37) and from that time on it is probable that every mention of the term “Lord” refers to Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:5; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:7 etc.)

In view of the context, it is more plausible that “the Spirit” in 2 Corinthians 3:17,18 refers to Jesus rather than the Holy Spirit.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 21, p. 645
November 6, 1986

Prepare Yourself For Marriage And Children

By S. Leonard Tyler

To be prepared for marriage one must be willing to accept another into his life as a vital and essential part of his life. This must be done upon right principles of truth and love, right purpose of sharing and producing, and right design of peace, good-will, happiness, accomplishment in this life and in the life to come eternal salvation for us and our children and all whom we can influence.

To be prepared for children, we must be willing to (1) give room in our lives for a baby, another human being, a real person. We must accept him as a real human being and extend our love and care. We must accept the responsibility for this person he is not a toy, a play thing, but a real person developing into his own life. Physically superintend the proper foods, exercises and profession for his life. Spiritually and morally superintend his concepts, attitudes, loves, desires and disposition. The proper knowledge and appreciation of right things to want, treasure, love, seek and work for upon the basis of what is right and best for all concerned – unselfish but with purpose of heart – for the good of all must be taught and established in his own heart. He must make the choices you cannot make them for him. Yes, you must give to him the fundamentals, the foundation for life. This is the responsibility of parents. The consequences of your labors and their following must be, of necessity, accepted to your joy or sorrow. The training of your boys and girls results in the life that he lives. This is the fruit of your labors, love and life giving efforts and will produce in this relationship an earthly harvest perhaps, and in my judgment, more than any other field in which you function.

This is the most important place you will ever fill or greatest work that you will ever do. The fruits, as a rule, are produced according to the effort spent while the opportunities are yours – not as a choice but of necessity. Your choice should be to accept this awesome responsibility wisely, use it fully and treasure the opportunity of sharing in giving to another life and purpose in Jesus Christ.

“Where there is life there is hope.” This is just as applicable to spiritual life as it is to physical life. So hang in there with all your knowledge, ability, courage, faith and pray fervently, for you will need all these things and more. But consider the worth of the person(s) you gave birth to or fathered, what shall they be come? Yes, they are worth every ounce of energy, penny of money and extended effort or sacrifice you will ever make. This man or woman, now in the making, and you are a very vital part of his making, will be your greatest treasure upon this earth to your delight or your sorrow. The only profitable time to recognize and come to grips with this fact is now, while this man or woman is in the making, a child today but tomorrow, a full grown adult. This, my brother and sister, is your joy or sorrow or whatever it may be through your effort and its action. But you are responsible to keep the effort going. “Don’t give up the ship,” no, not the ship – but the person. Remember the prodigal of Luke 15:11-32. He came back. We are trying to help people to learn the truth, turn to the Lord, and be saved. Then let us act like it, be like it and keep on acting and being like it. The Lord gives the increase. Let us keep working – the harvest is yet to come. “Your labors are not in vain in the Lord. . . the end is not yet. ” Where there is life, there is hope. But life keeps striving by faith for victory.

Negatively speaking, don’t allow problems to become the building stones but rather allow the solutions to become the building blocks and use them. Easy problems solve immediately, hard ones work hard to solve and impossible ones, it takes a little longer. Be careful how you build for every man’s work shall be tried as by fire.

The Changing Epochs In A Child’s Life

1. Infancy. Dressing, feeding milk to solid food, crawling, walking, talking, and playing with others (but he is the cutest thing ever): understanding, righting, picking-up strange words and actions (where did he hear that?).

2. School Years. Gone from home all day (oh, what shall I do?), visiting their friends in the day, then all night (Did you miss your mother?). They must be taught to act upon their own understanding, thinking and reasoning. (Well, you know that they are the smartest anywhere. They know more about “Star Wars” than the president. They watch TV. I have never seen children advance so rapidly. It just staggers me and his daddy.) This time is coming. Allow them the right and teach the responsibility that goes with the right to make their choices. Conduct your own life so you will be wanted – and then you will be asked to help and give your advice. Keep communication lines open. This is your job and you had better do it.

3. Recognizing The Different Sexes. Make a difference between boys and girls. You must help them understand the real differences and how to accept those differences wisely. Don’t leave it to chance nor the school nor the group with whom they run or associate. We are living in a “progressive,” modern, feministic, atheistic and sex-perverted society. If you leave it to “chance” they will not have a chance, a real opportunity, to understand and appreciate the true value in the difference nor the purpose for marriage and clean moral living. You better teach them. Society is fighting against the difference. The Equal Rights Movement is really not for the rights for women, although some may be ignorant of this fact, notwithstanding it is diabolically opposed to the biblical teachings respecting moral living, especially sex – homosexuality, fornication, adultery and actually “freedom of sex” is basic and vital to their movement. Teach your boys and girls to be clean physically and morally, to live clean up-right lives and maintain respect in all the affairs of life. The Equal Rights Movement is against the God-ordained rights for women and the good of all society. Teach your boys and girls to respect womanhood, honor, protect, love and appreciate the God planned place for woman and man (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:21-25; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; 1 Cor. 7:1-5). Fornication, adultery and/or illicit, perverted sexual relationships are just as sinful and damnable as ever in the history of man (Acts 15:20; 21:25; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:13-20; Gal. 5:19; Matt. 5:32; 19:1-9).

Let your boys and girls understand, recognize and respect the gravity of immorality. As Paul wrote (taken from the New King James version), “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Cor. 6:18). God gave the freedom of sex to marriage, love and the home. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4; see 1 Cor. 7:1-2). Teach them in preparation for marriage; both girls and boys need it.

4. Marriage. Parents should teach their boys and girls (and I mean boys as well as girls) that marriage is ordained of God for the good, pleasure and productivity of man, contentment and happiness of all. Purity must be sustained in marriage, each committing himself to the other (1 Cor. 7:1-5). Teach them their place as well as responsibility to one another. Boys, men need this understanding as well as girls, young ladies. This is a unit of one man and one woman in anticipation of children to follow. It takes both to make a marriage work as God ordains. So teach and so practice. God’s plan will work and is best always.

When They Marry

Parents must teach and practice that when young men and women are married they belong to one another and are to treasure and prefer one another above anybody else on earth. They are one in God’s sight in the marriage relationship. Mother and father must respect and honor their independence. I know, they need your motherly and fatherly advice but allow them the opportunity to make it on their own, if you can. But if they really need you, offer and give your help as advice and not commands or force. Your teaching will now serve them. But again, we say, keep the communication lines open. There is joy in recognizing them as capable to live and establish their own homes. The future looks brighter.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 21, 641, 661
November 6, 1986

Why DO You Wait, Dear Sinner?

By Ron Halbrook

A song pleading with sinners to obey the gospel of Christ asks, “Why do you wait, dear sinner, O why do you tarry so long?” The song says nothing can be gained “by a further delay” and warns “the harvest is passing away.” Some have heard the gospel of Christ in private studies, discussions with friends, sermons, Bible classes, newspaper articles, and other ways but are still lost. They know that if they die, their sins will condemn them to hell. Why do they — perhaps you — wait?

Loving the darkness of sin causes men to wait. Jesus said, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:18-21). They may know that God is ready to forgive them by His love, mercy, and grace. They may know also that God forgives the sinner when he comes by faith, repents of his sins, confesses Christ as God’s Son, and is immersed in water (Jn. 3:3-5, 16; Acts 2:38). But an obedient faith and love for God cannot exist in the same heart which loves the sinful things of the world (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Loving their sins above God, men put off receiving the gospel. This is the root of all delay!

Being too busy with the cares and pleasures of life causes men to wait. Some who know the gospel fill up their days and nights seeking material things and enjoying physical pleasures. They do not “seek . . . first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). They do not take time to be “rich toward God” (Lk. 12:16-21). This is like the immature and foolish child who wants to always play and never stop to eat or sleep. Some things are so important that we must do them first and let other things fall into place.

Jesus often taught by parables, a method which required men to invest their time seeking to understand more about God’s Word (Matt. 7:7-8; 13:10-13). Could He have reached a wider audience by using a method which was briefer and did not require so much of men’s time? No! Men who will not make it their chief business in life to seek God and His righteousness first cannot be saved by any change of method or format in teaching. We must “Take Time to be Holy” and redeem the time wasted in sin (Eph. 5:16). What difference will it make how many material things and physical pleasures we enjoy for a brief moment if we must leave them all behind and spend eternity in torment with Satan away from God?

Casting doubt on God or self causes men to wait. When Satan sees he is about to lose a soul to God, he makes a last ditch effort by throwing up a detour-and-delay sign. It may say, “I don’t know if I can live a Christian life after all these years in sin.” This implies that God is too weak to help people who sincerely want His help. But God has saved adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards, those who curse – even murderers – all kinds of sinners (1 Cor. 6:9-11). “God is faithful” to help us in our struggle with temptation (10:13). The sign may say, “I don’t know enough about the Bible to be saved.” If you know you are lost, that God loves you, and that He forgives all who obey the gospel, act now upon what you know. Then you will grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (1 Pet. 2:1-2; 2 Pet. 3:18).

“And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). The preacher Ananias spoke these words to Saul of Tarsus, who without any delay “arose, and was baptized” (9:18). If Saul had been like some other people, he might have waited because of too much regardfor men. Delay may be caused by the fear of criticism from relatives, friends, and past religious associates. During the personal ministry of Christ on earth, many important Jewish leaders “believed on him; but because of the j 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” (Jn. 12:42-43). Saul himself had been a Pharisee, but he had a higher regard for God than for men. Our attachment to our parents, whether they be living or dead, should not be so strong as to keep us from obeying the gospel. They do not live their lives in our place, nor die for us, nor answer for us in Judgment.

But a negative attitude toward men can also hinder us from obeying the Lord. The regard for man which makes us wait may be in the form of a protest against hypocritical Christians. God warns Christians not to so live as to bring shame, reproach, and blasphemy upon the word of God (Tit. 2:5,8,10). Jesus said of such hypocrites that they shall not “escape the damnation of hell” (Matt. 23:33). If we focus on the inconsistencies of such people now and reject the Lord, we will be with them in hell away from the Lord for all eternity. Weak Christians may err or even wrong us, but God has done neither! He gave His only Son for us and blesses us daily in more ways than we can number. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3) After obeying Christ, we may be able to help those who err to correct their lives. Whether they repent or not, we must never blame God for the sins of men. Let us not be like the man who was angry at his dog for chewing up his shoe. When he could not kick the dog, who ran under the porch, he kicked his wife instead.

Those who focus their attention too much on man and not enough on Christ may be hindered because of personality clashes and other personal likes or dislikes. They would prefer a preacher, elder, deacon, teacher, or other Christian they know to have a different voice, dress style, mannerism, hobby, car, mate, personality, or some other characteristic. Perhaps the suggested change would be an improvement, but this is nothing to lose our souls over. We forebear with such differences on the job because we have a duty to feed our families. We can forebear with such differences in order to obey the gospel. Remember that we may be blind to our own quirks, that our love for the Lord overshadows every personal consideration, and that we worship the Lord and not some man. Make no mistake about it: when we reject the message of truth because of the foibles of the messenger, we reject the Lord who sent the message (Matt. 10:40). If we truly set our hearts upon the Lord, we will not hesitate over men.

Religious error causes men to wait. Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses offer the hope of a second chance after we pass from this life. Catholicism teaches that some sins can be punished temporarily after death so that we may go to be with God forever. Calvinism says that sinners who know the gospel must wait until they receive an inner illumination and impulse from God in order to be saved. Pentecostalism claims that the sinner must wait and plead at a “mourner’s bench,” plead and wait at an “altar,” until God sends the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Denominationalism tells men who believe in Jesus that baptism is not essential to salvation and that, therefore, they can wait until later to be baptized.

In the New Testament, men were never told to wait to be baptized and to wait to be saved. Read of the Jews in Acts 2, the Ethiopian in Acts 8, the Gentiles in Acts 10, and the Philippian jailor in Acts 16. In every case, as soon as sinners were convicted of sin and learned how to be forgiven, they immediately obeyed the gospel. While the traditions of men tell sinners to wait for some reason or other, the glorious gospel of Christ invites sinners to come immediately into the grace of God.

Confusion over tragedy, suffering, and heartache causes some to wait. They are hindered by the sad misunderstanding that God heaps upon man the sorrows and woes of life. All disease, degeneration, and death entered the universe because of sin and sin entered because of Satan, not because of God! Read Genesis 1-3 to see how wonderfully God blessed men and tried to protect him from Satan’s harm – see how Satan deceived man into thinking sin would bless rather than curse life. After man sinned, God did not plot his ruin but promised him a Savior (3:15). Study Job 1-2, and then the rest of the book, to learn how Satan seeks to use tragedy and heartache to confuse man about God’s love – see how God comforts man and helps him to see His constant love through the mists of sorrow. Read Ecclesiastes to understand that though we live in a world of change and uncertainity, of fleeting “ups” and shattering “downs,” life is not a meaningless void. We look beyond this vail of tears to the God from whom we came and to whom we go. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).

But does God really understand our struggles and sorrows here below? Yes. He sent His only Son in a body of flesh to serve and sorrow with us – to weep with those who weep (Jn. 10:33) – to face all the same temptations we face (Heb. 4:15). “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (v. 16). No matter what our burden, God can and will comfort us through His beloved Son.

“Why do you wait, dear sinner, O why do you tarry so long?” “Your Savior is longing to bless you.” “O why not accept His salvation, and throw off your burden of sin.” Why not come to him now! Foolish Felix decided to wait and told the preacher, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25). There is no easy way or convenient time to face our sins, repent of them, and ask God’s forgiveness. It is not leisure we lack but love for the Lord. Not convenience but conviction. In simple terms, when we tell God to wait we are telling Him, “No! I will not submit and will not obey now. ” He is pleading for us to come now. Soon the time of patience will be gone the time of punishment will arrive. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 20, pp. 624-625
October 16, 1986