Truth Magazine

By Dick Blackford

Many religious leaders have gotten carried away with the ecumenical spirit. A case in point is that of John Paul II’s historic visit to a Jewish synagogue on April 13, 1986.

He quoted from Second Vatican Council’s revolutionary 1965 document on non-Christian religions, “Nostra Aetate ” (In Our Times), which officially rescinded the accusation that the Jews killed Christ (Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, April 14, 1986).

The only reason why this accusation would need rescinding would be that it had been proven false. But who made this accusation? The Apostle Peter, whom Catholics believe was the first pope!

On Pentecost, in Acts 2, Peter said:

Men of Israel . . . hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved by God among you . . . Him, . . . you have crucified and slain by the hands of wicked men (vv. 22,23).

Therefore, let all the house of Israel know most assuredly that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified (v. 36).

At the healing of the lame man in Acts 3, Peter charged:

Men of Israel, . . . you disowned the Holy and Just One, and asked that a murderer should be granted to you; but the author of life you killed, whom God has raised up from the dead; whereof we are witnesses (vv. 12-15).

At the house of Cornelius (Acts 10) Peter again accused the Jews: “And we are witnesses of all that he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; and yet they killed him, hanging him on a tree” (v. 39).

Even Jesus accused the Jews of trying to kill him (Jn. 8:37-40). What’s more, thousands of Jews admitted the charge and obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:36-41; 6:7). The pope lays a stumbling block that will discourage Jews from obeying the gospel by rescinding Peter’s accusation.

Who Blundered?

If Peter was also a pope, which pope was infallible? The one who was bodily present and was an eyewitness to what happened, or the one who is nearly 2000 years removed from the event?

Incidentally, the preceding Scripture quotations are from The New Catholic Version and printed by P.J. Kennedy and Sons, printers for the Holy Apostolic See. The first sentence in the introduction to this translation says:

THERE ARE THREE things about the Bible which Catholics must believe.- that it has God as its author, that its various books are all inspired, and that, because God is the author, no formal error can be admitted within the sacred pages.

The pope and those responsible for “Nostra Aetate” join the ranks of skeptics who claim to know more about what happened than those who 1 were there, including Simon Peter!

How can any conscientious person remain indifferent to such blasphemy and contradiction? The pope not only contradicted the Apostle Peter in the Scriptures, he also contradicted the introduction to an official Catholic translation which affirms the infallibility of the Scriptures. This must not be swept under the rug. Every Catholic should sit up and take notice of this glaring contradiction.

Now notice another strange turn of events.

Pope John Paul II said Saturday that the church should not follow any ideological or political banners because they are “foreign to the Bible” (Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, July 6, 1986).

The pope opposes clear Bible statements when he doesn’t agree with them, but he holds it up as authority when he thinks it is on his side.

Your Reaction To This Article

Some who are reading this are Catholics. “Have I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16) I mean no unkindness to you by focusing on these unpleasant matters. The last thing in the world I want, is to make you mad. Getting mad usually clouds our thinking, causing us to close our minds. I don’t want that to happen. We should not fear to give an honest and fair investigation to views which differ from those we have long cherished. The greatest kindness one can do for others is to warn against danger and deception (2 Cor. 11:13-15). This is what motivates this article. We must be jealous for the Word.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 18, pp. 545, 567
September 18, 1986

By Irven Lee

Peter referred to faith as C ‘precious faith” (2 Pet. 1:1). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). The man that believes does so unto righteousness (Rom. 10:9,10). The person who has lost his faith is one “having no hope, and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). On the other hand every man that has “this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 Jn. 3:1-3).

The most effective way to work to stabilize marriage, to stop drug addiction, and to turn men from greed, dishonesty, and moral corruption is to preach Christ and Him crucified. If we recognize Him as King we will be led to the better life here as well as to life in the world to come (1 Tim. 4:8). It is certainly true that the influence of Jesus of Nazareth has been wholesome and for our good always. When we follow His steps we become good citizens, good members of our families, and good employees.

The things that have blessed America most have been the useful lives of those who have lived by the Bible. There are millions of Communists and humanists who are dedicated to destroying faith in God and in His Son. Their success is amazing. This explains the crime wave, the divorce evil, the violence that is so common, and the lack of respect for any authority. Unbelief and these evils go together. Faith and purity go together.

The pagan world in the Roman Empire is described in the latter part of Romans 1. This is an example of the behavior of some who have lived in every generation, and life becomes more difficult for every one when the number of unbelievers increases and they become bolder in proclaiming their idea that man is his own god with rights (license) to do as he pleases. Man’s animal takes over when he decides that he is only an animal that should follow its own impulses.

The fruits of atheism are found in Galatians 5:19-21. The fruits of the true religion of Christ are found in Galatians 5:22,23. The differences are remarkable. It is the fool that has said there is no God (Psa. 14:1). It is certainly true that atheists (humanists in America) insist that people who believe the Bible and the Christ it reveals are ignorant fools who are trying to hold back science. Faith in Christ is no enemy to true science, but is opposed to “science falsely so called” (1 Tim. 6:20).

I have lived past my “three score and ten years,” and I have been intimately associated with many devout Christians. These men are not the thieves, fornicators, drug addicts, gamblers, or rebels against government. Christians are not the ones who make it unsafe to walk on the streets in our cities. There is no reason to be ashamed of the influence the Bible has had.

The National Organization of Women (NOW), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and other humanistic organizations have fought every wonderful principle of righteousness taught by the Prince of Peace, and they have been remarkably effective. There is a crying need for more soldiers in the Lord’s army who will contend earnestly for the faith.

Christians should be unashamed and unafraid to preach the gospel. (Read Rom. 1:16-18; Matt. 10: 26-28; Mk. 8:38.) Boldness was a notable characteristic of the apostles who were trained by the Christ. Their courage and their bold affirmation of the gospel message had much to do with their success in spreading the gospel over the unbelieving Roman world. There were many adversaries, but they had courage to meet them, and they had the truth.

My generation of Christians has lost ground to the atheists who have nothing positive to offer. We are without excuse. The church took time out to copy the social gospel and institutionalism from the denominational world which is seriously under the influence of modernism, which is a forerunner of out and out atheism. The forces that would turn our hearts from the Creator and from our Savior have hardly been challenged. It is time to put on the whole armor and stand against the enemies of faith. Soldiers of Christ fought well in the first century of the church, and they can do it again. Maybe the fine young people among us will fight a good fight in the immediate future.

Much that goes under the name of Christianity is false and hypocritical. Denominationalism is not worth defending with all its emotionalism, modernism, and heresy. The pure gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Who is willing to study it and handle it aright, wearing the whole armor? This is a matter concerning which we would pray because the need for laborers is great (Matt. 9:36-38; Jn. 4:35). The Lord gave the great commission to a few, but the number grew as they went out with zeal.

Many of the battles in the terrible strife in Lebanon are between “Christians” and “Moslems.” Christ is not the guide for either group. He has never advised any of the “holy” wars. The weapons of Christians are not carnal, but they are mighty (2 Cor. 10:4-6). Counterfeit religion is one of the subtle enemies of righteousness.

One of the most effective proofs of the inspiration of the Bible is the beauty of holiness. The age of unbelief is the age of drug addiction, divorce, child abuse, stealing, and violence. Christianity and humanism are known by their fruits. Are we too blind to see the difference and make a wise choice?

Guardian of Truth XXX: 17, p. 522
September 4, 1986

By Mike Willis

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the fight of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:13-16).

Jesus used many common illustrations to teach important spiritual lessons. In this text, He compared the Christian to salt and light. Salt preserves food from spoiling and seasons it. Light dispels darkness.

The Christian Is The Salt and The Light

Some people act like they think the Christian is the “sugar” of the earth. They imagine that Christianity demands some kind of artificial, syrupy, and phony form of “love” which never confronts a person directly with his sins. Back slapping, ear-to-ear grins, and other traits of the Dale Carnegie “How To Win Friends and Influence People” character are their stock in trade.

Christians are not the “sugar,” they are the salt. They have learned the valuable lesson taught in Proverbs: “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue” (28:23). Consequently, with kindness and gentleness, they rebuke the sinner in the hope of leading him to everlasting life.

For want of ten righteous souls, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed (Gen. 18-19). We who are Christians do more to preserve this nation of ours than all of the missiles in our national arsenals.

If The Salt Has Lost Is Savor

Salt can lose its savor! Christians can fall from grace and become worthless to the Lord. “It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matt. 5:13). Surely such a comparison cannot be descriptive of eternal life! Like so many other passages, this passage teaches the possibility of apostasy and damnation in hell of one who once was saved (cf. 2 Pet. 2:20-22; Heb. 6:4-6; Gal. 5:4).

What are some things which might cause the salt to lose its savor? I would like to suggest the following as a partial of list of things which can cause the salt to lose its savor:

1. Impurity in life. When Christians fail to maintain their moral purity, they lose their savor. They become indistinguishable from the world. Their conduct does not set an example before the world and their lives are not a moral rebuke to the world around them. Indeed, worldliness causes the salt to lose its savor.

We see failures in these areas: (a) Divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:9). God’s laws governing the marriage relationship are cast aside in order that men can put away their mates and remarry for reasons other than adultery. Many churches use men in unscriptural marriages in their teaching programs, to serve the Lord’s supper, and to take other public parts in worship. When this happens, the world is unable to distinguish themselves from Christians. In this way, the salt loses is savor.

(b) Fornication (1 Cor. 6:18). Sometimes Christians engage in premarital and extra-martial affairs. Not a few preachers, elders, deacons, and Bible class teachers have been exposed as being guilty. Their impurity in life suppresses the truth (Rom. 1:8). In this way, the salt loses it savor.

(c) Immodest dress (1 Tim. 2:9,10). The manner in which some Christians dress makes Christians indistinguishable from the world. They go to the public beaches and swimming pools in immodest attire; they wear their shorts in public. In the clothing that they wear, they are indistinguishable from the ungodly world. In this way, the salt loses it savor.

(d) Dancing (Gal. 5:19-21). Some Christians engage in the revelry of the world, participating in their lascivious acts. Few teenagers go through their high school years without attending the prom and joining with their classmates in dancing. Unfortunately, they are encouraged in their decision by parents who don’t want their children to miss this “once-in-a-lifetime” event. In this way, the salt loses it savor.

(e) Drinking (1 Pet. 4:1-3). Some Christians participate in social drinking and in having a couple of beers at home while they watch the ball game on TV. The world sees them purchase their beer at the grocery, their children watch them drink it at home, and the garbage men sees their cans in the trash. In this way, the salt loses it savor.

(f) Factionalism and division (Gal. 5:19-21). In many areas of the country, the people of God can have such little influence on the world because of their inability to get along with one another. They fuss and fight until they divide into two small, quarreling groups. Their influence is destroyed in the community for many years to come as their neighbors hear of the division in the Church of Christ. In this way, the salt loses its savor.

2. Apathy and indifference. All over this country, the churches are unable to accomplish much of any work because the members do not care enough about the Lord to give sacrificially, attend regularly, and generally support the work which is being done. Members have become lukewarm (Rev. 3:15-17), having lost their first love (Rev. 2:4-5).

These members do not have enough interest in the Lord to motivate themselves to attend. How much less will they be able to encourage someone else to obey the gospel and join in the worship of God? In this way, the salt loses its savor!

3. Toleration of sin. Some congregations are like the church at Corinth which tolerated the incestuous man (1 Cor. 5). The church could not influence the community when the community would not tolerate that kind of moral indecency. When congregations close their eyes to the immorality of their membership, never rebuking the sinful member and withdrawing from the impenitent, they become filled with ungodly, worldly church members. In time, their influence in the community is destroyed. In this way, the salt loses its savor!

No doubt there are other ways in which Christians can destroy their influence. However, these should suffice to warn us to be sure that we let our lights shine by living the godly life. We need to let the light shine in our speech, our homes, our work on the job, and every other relationship we sustain in life.

Wherewith Shall It Be Salted?

The influence of the gospel is the only power which God has to save men from their sins (Rom. 1:16). There is no power for salvation from sin in atheism, the world religions (Buddhism, Islam, etc.), and denominationalism. Only the blood of Jesus can save men from sin. We have been charged with the responsibility of taking the saving gospel to the lost world.

What happens if “the salt has lost its savor”? “Wherewith shall it be salted?” If we who are Christians do not take the gospel to the world, saving souls from sin and calling men to righteous living, who will? We cannot expect the pornographers to spread the gospel. We cannot expect the television producers to spread the gospel. We cannot expect the humanists to spread the gospel. If we don’t do it, “wherewith shall it be salted?”

The Power of the Salt and Light

Salt will do its work. So will light. “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14). We need to have confidence in the power of the gospel and its influence on the lives of men to accomplish its task of saving the world.

The light of a life lived in obedience to God will cause others “to see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We need to have confidence in this power. Resorting to carnal appeals to win the lost for Christ is a confession that we have lost confidence in the power of the gospel and its influence on the lives of men to do its work of leading others to salvation.

The Motive Of Letting One’s Light Shine

Sometimes men want to let their light shine that others may see them. The Pharisees of Matthew 6 did their righteousness in a public way in order to have the glory of men (6:2,5,16). The motivation should not be to display one’s acts of righteousness; indeed, our left hand should not know what our right hand does (6:3). Rather, our motive should be to glorify God. When men turn to Christ in obedience to His word as a result of this teaching and life, the Christian rejoices that God has been glorified.

Conclusion

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world! Has your salt lost its savor? Is your light shining brightly? What would non-Christians with whom you associate say about you? Do they say, “If that is a Christian, I don’t want to be one”? Or, do they say, “That man is a Christian”?

Guardian of Truth XXX: 17, pp. 514, 534-535
September 4, 1986

By Larry Ray Hafley

In discussions with Baptist preachers on the possibility of apostasy, they often flee and flock to 1 John 2:1,2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Their argument runs something like this, “If I sin as a child of God, I have Jesus Christ, the righteous, as my atonement. His blood forgives and cleanses me from all sin. Therefore, I cannot be lost. If so, then the promise of Jesus as my Advocate means nothing.”

Reply To The Argument

First, one should never reply to an argument in such a way as to convey the idea that he is answering Scripture. No one should appear to void the promise and hope of I John 2:1,2 or any other passage. No one denies that Jesus is our advocate, our propitiation. No one doubts that the blood of the Son of God cleanses the child of God “from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7). Let that be clear.

Second, is the cleansing, the forgiveness, the advocacy, the propitiation, conditional or unconditional? Must the erring child of God respond to his sin in repentance, confession and prayer, or is he automatically forgiven? This question must be addressed. Of course, the Bible teaches that the erring child of God must be restored and converted (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19,20). He must repent, confess and pray in order to be given life (Acts 8:22; 1 Jn. 1:9; 5:16).

Third, it may be objected that the sin discussed does not condemn the sinner; it does not cause him to be in a state of spiritual death. If not, then why use a passage that refers to our advocate, propitiation? If the sin does not cause one to be separated from God, do the “sins of the whole world” cause them to be separated from God?

Fourth, is the alien sinner, one who has never named the name of Christ, saved conditionally or unconditionally by the propitiation? Observe that the passage says that Christ is the propitiation for “the sins of the whole world.” Is that propitiation conditional or unconditional? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Even our Baptist opponents believe that the alien sinner is saved conditionally by the atonement of Christ. If the alien is cleansed and forgiven conditionally, then why is the child of God who sins cleansed unconditionally? Yes, Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, but not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. If the child of God is unconditionally forgiven, why is not the alien unconditionally forgiven? If the sins of the child of God do not cause him to be lost, why do the sins of the aliens cause them to be lost?

Finally, no one questions the perfect efficacy, the complete atonement of the blood of the Son of God, but that is not the issue regarding the possibility of apostasy. The question is, “Are there any steps, terms or conditions that one must obey in order to be cleansed and forgiven?” And, further, if one ignores or fails to comply with these conditions, is he forgiven anyway? If so, what about the alien sinner? By answering the questions, you can answer the Baptist argument.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 16, p. 498
August 21, 1986