Truth Magazine

By Ferrell Jenkins

When God created the heavens and the earth He saw that it was very good (Gen. 1:31). Such is characteristic of everything God does. We cannot imagine that the Lord would do anything less than perfect. The church is a part of God’s grand scheme of redemption and is a reflection of the manifold wisdom of God (Eph. 3:10-11). One can not imagine that this new creation of God (Eph. 2:1-10) is less than good.

The Church Fully Equipped

The church for which Jesus shed His blood is fully equipped to do all the Lord gave it to do. Perhaps the greatest passage in the New Testament which sets forth this is Ephesians 4:7-16. The text teaches that Christ gave gifts unto men that the church might be filled (vv. 8, 10). Note carefully that this passage does not say that Christ gave “spiritual gifts” to men. It says, rather, that he gave gifts to “every one of us” (KJV), or to “each one of us” (NASB) (v. 7). Christ gave the gifts here considered to the whole church. The gifts were not “spiritual gifts,” but consisted of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (v. 11). Note briefly the function of each.

(1) Apostles and prophets. These laid the foundation of the church by their teaching (Eph. 2:20). The prophets are New Testament prophets (cf. Acts 13: 1; 1 Cor. 12:28-29), chosen by the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 19:6). We now have their work in the completed revelation (Eph. 3-1-5; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

(2) Evangelists. These announce the good news, preach and teach the word of God (2 Tim. 2:2; 4:1-5).

(3) Pastors. Pastors are shepherds and are the same as overseers or elders (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Pet. 5:1-2; Phil. 1:1). Each local church is to have a plurality of pastors. The New Testament authorizes no organization smaller or larger than the local church for the collective functioning of the saints in the work of the church. Those who argue for a confederation of local churches overlook (or disregard) the fact that God gave pastors for the tending and oversight of the local church.

(4) Teachers. These give instructions in the faith (2 Tim. 2:2; Acts 13:1). There is a possibility that the phrase “pastors and teachers” refers to one function, that is, teaching pastors. Such does not affect our argumentation here and will not be considered further.

(5) Deacons. Deacons are not mentioned in Ephesians 4, but other Scriptures show that they are servants of the local church (Acts 6:1ff; Phil. 1:1).

Each of the “gifts,” workers or functionaries named by Paul in Ephesians 4 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) have in common the function of teaching. From this one should be able to draw some conclusion about the main purpose of the church and the primary thrust of its activity. It is true that some of these workers had “spiritual gifts” in New Testament times, but that is not what Paul says here. These workers are the gifts of Christ to the church in order to make it sufficient for His purpose.

The Purpose of the Gifts

The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers were given to the church “for the equipping of the saints” (NASB, v. 12). The King James Version uses the word “for” three times in this verse: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. ” The Greek text uses two different prepositions. The first “for” is from the Greek preposition pros, which is used “of the goal aimed at or striven toward . . . with conscious purpose for, of the purpose of, on behalf of . . . ” (Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, & Danker, A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 710). The goal or aim of the gifts is the perfecting of the saints. The second and third time the word “for” is used in the King James Version the Greek preposition is eis. This word means “in order to” (Bauer, p. 229). The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says of the consecutive and final eis, “The preposition denotes the direction of an action to a specific end” (11:429).

Paul is teaching that God gave gifts so that (pros) the saints might be perfected in order that (eis) the saints might do the work of ministry or service in order that (eis) the body might be edified or builded up. Before we go too far we must look at the “perfecting of the saints.”

The word translated “perfecting” or “equipping” is from the Greek katartismos, which basically means “putting a thing or a person into the condition in which he or it ought to be.” The word is “used in surgery for setting a broken limb, or for putting a joint that is out of place back into its place. In politics it is used for bringing together opposing factions so that government can go on” (Barclay, The Letter to the Galatians and Ephesians, p. 176). In the New Testament it is used of “mending” nets (Mk. 1:19), or 46restoring” erring saints (Gal. 6:1). The saints must be perfected or they can never do what God intended for saints to do. We have seen that the Lord gave the “gifts” (workers, functionaries) necessary to perfect or equip the saints. Once the saints are perfected through teaching they will be able to do the work of ministry or service, and this in turn will result in the building up of the body.

The Work of Service (Ministry)

Brethren have commonly stated that the term “ministry” (Greek, diakonia) in verse 13 refers to the work of benevolence. It is true that the word is used of benevolence or relief in the following passages: Acts 6:1; 11:29; 12:25; Rom. 15:31; 2 Cor. 9:12,13. But the word is also used of the general ministry of a servant of the Lord in preaching and teaching. Notice some of the places where the word is used. (1) Paul frequently mentioned his “ministry” (2 Cor. 4:1; 6:3; 1 Tim. 1:12). (2) Timothy was instructed to “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5). (3) Paul stated that his “ministry” was to “testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). (4) He told the Corinthians that he robbed other churches that he might “serve” them (2 Cor. 11:8). What did Paul do when he ministered or served? Acts 18:5 explains that when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia (obviously with the “wages” from the other churches) he “began devoting himself completely to the word. . . ” (NASB). It is clear from these passages that the word diakonia (ministry, service) is used of evangelism as well as benevolence.

Edifying or Building Up The Body

When the saints are perfected through teaching they are able to perform the acts of benevolence as well as the preaching and teaching which God expects of them. Paul states that this will lead to (eis) the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ. The word edifying (Greek, oikodome) is used figuratively “of spiritual strengthening. . . edifying, edification, building up. . . ” (Bauer, p. 559). As a congregation does its work of ministry (benevolence and evangelism) and worships and studies in God’s appointed way it will build up or edify itself in love (Eph. 4:16).

Summary

If the church is not being built up it is not because Christ failed to equip it adequately. He gave the essential gifts to the church. We have the work of the apostles and prophets in the revealed New Testament Scriptures. When evangelists, pastors, and teachers do their work of teaching and overseeing the saints will be perfected. Perfected saints will do the work of ministry or service (benevolence and evangelism), and this will cause the church to be builded up or edified. The church of Christ is sufficiently equipped to do everything the Lord wanted it to do. Each local church, under the oversight of its own pastors, can do everything God wanted the church to do.

Churches in New Testament times were able to provide for their own needy (Acts 6:1-6) and assist the needy of other churches (Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:25-26; 2 Cor. 8,9) without building or maintaining human organizations for the purpose. They were likewise sufficient to preach the gospel without forming missionary societies and without some of the congregations becoming sponsoring churches through which the others might work (cf. Acts 11:22-26; 13:14; Phil. 4:15-16; 1 Thess. 1-.8; 2 Cor. 11:8-9).

The all-sufficient church is the right relationship for every accountable person. A denial of the adequacy of the church to do the work God has assigned is an admission that the saints have not been “perfected,” and this in turn argues that Christ did not give the necessary “gifts” to get the job done. This kind of thinking is a reflection on the wisdom of God. “May he be glorified in the Church, and in Christ Jesus to the last generation of eternity” (Eph. 3:21, Knox).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 11, pp. 328-329
June 5, 1986

By S. Leonard Tyler

First Corinthians is a good book to support the evident need for calling attention to “The Restoration of New Testament Christianity.” Christians living in a modem, materialistic and atheistic orientated world must fight to keep their faith securely resting upon Divine Truth. Human wisdom, doctrines and philosophies weigh heavily upon the minds and hearts of Christians. They observe the momentary glory, recognition, pleasure, physical fulfillment and worldly success enjoyed by the unbelievers. They also feel the scornful attitude demonstrated toward believers as ignorant, uneducated, traditionally bound by the old narrow, outdated philosophical beliefs and impossible moral codes of by gone years.

Elders, preachers, teachers and parents are desperately seeking ways and means of holding men and women, especially young Christians (even their own boys and girls) in the “faith once and for all delivered.” Many are turning to promotional schemes, experimental demonstrations, feelings and “hallelujah out-bursts” of “I am happy; I love you; I care for you,” to hold them to God in true, saving faith. Such efforts appear, at the moment, to be working with “outbursts” of spontaneous singing or clapping of hands at the close of lectures or sermons; enthusiasm is very physical on every hand, but where are the substance and evidence to build and sustain true, saving faith? The religious influence at Corinth was mostly idolatrous and contributed greatly to the licentious conditions characterizing the city. Yet, Paul encourages, keep your faith in Christ.

Paul’s Approach

Paul began his letter by introducing himself as an apostle of the Lord. He addressed them as the church of God at Corinth, sanctified in Christ. They were behind in no gift. Christ is their hope into whose fellowship God had called them. He charged them to speak the same thing, to be of the same mind and judgment. He- then used the next four chapters to contrast the Wisdom and Power of God with the wisdom and power of man, the spiritual over the natural or fleshly. His next ten chapters deal with problems reported to him. Chapter fifteen gives Paul’s last arguments to establish and sustain their hope of the resurrection, immortality, and eternal life. He reaches the climax and presents his final and essential facts upon which the whole of the gospel message depends: the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Savior.

The Facts Of The Gospel

Paul proceeds to affirm three basic and essential facts of the gospel. He is not contending that these are the only facts contained in the gospel or the only essential facts for the complete message; all inspired truth is the word of God which produces and maintains saving faith (Jude 3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 10:17). Notwithstanding, these basic facts were forcefully preached and gave sufficient evidence to produce faith in their hearts and move them to obey (Heb. 11:1, 6; Jn. 20:30-3 1; 1 Jn. 5:4-5). The facts give reason enough to be essential and, upon acceptance, produce and sustain true, saving faith (Heb. 4:2; 10:39). Any person believing these facts (Christ’s death, burial and resurrection), has every reason to accept Jesus in absolute confidence of his own resurrection and immortality, even eternal life.

The Gospel Paul Preached

The gospel Paul preached has as its final and basic supporting evidence the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Corinthians received it, stood in it; and would be saved by it, Paul said, “If you keep in memory what I preached unto you.” The simple story of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection moved them to believe and obey Jesus as their Lord and Savior (Acts 18:8). Paul said, you stand in the same faith to live and by keeping your lives within the bounds of the faith, you will be saved eternally. The only questionable conditions are on man’s part, not the Lord’s. “If you keep in memory (if you hold fast, ASV) what I preached unto you.” Man has a responsibility. He must keep in mind the gospel and follow its directions. Doctrine is essential in believing (faith comes by hearing God’s word, Rom. 10:17), standing in it (living, walking by faith, 2 Cor. 5:7), and “by which also ye are saved” (being steadfast in the faith, 1 Cor. 15:58; Rom. 1:5; 1 Tim. 4:16). 1 Peter 1:9 expresses it, “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your soul.” This must be held in mind for the practice of godliness is an essential part of the gospel message (Tit. 2:11-12). This leaves man without excuse, no reason for not understanding, believing sufficiently to accept the resurrected Lord. He insures (stands for) your-hope of the resurrection, immortality and eternal life (Jn. 5:28-29; 6:39-40; 11:25).

Unless you have believed “in vain”: first, unless the faith you hold is false. Paul affirms that no such thing can be possible, in the face of these facts. However, false teachers were among them and aroused some to question the genuineness of their faith. Any diversion from the preached word leads to a vain faith and inactivity deadens faith. James said, “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (Jas. 2:17,20).

If any departs from the teaching of Jesus and turns aside to the doctrines, commandments and philosophies of men faith becomes vain (Heb. 3:12; Matt. 15:9). How great is our responsibility to restore our focus on the facts of the gospel? Just as great as the value of the soul and its worth is more than all the world (Matt. 16:26). “Be thou faithful unto death. . . . Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10; Jas. 1:12).

Paul Stirs Up Their Pure Minds

“I delivered unto you,” he reminds them of what he preached when he first came among them, the gospel, the glad tidings. He says, “First of all.” Most commentators, apply this to the order of importance only. Notwithstanding, it seems, that both as to order of importance and order of time could well be the implication. He “first of all,” preached these facts when he first came among and they were moved by them to believe in Jesus. He declared the importance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, in proving that He was indeed the Son of God, raised from the dead and stood as the surety of their own resurrection. For said he, “If Christ is not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). “But now is Christ risen from the dead” (v. 20). Therefore, the resurrection is assured and our preaching is faith building unto eternal life. Now, how say some of you, “There is no resurrection!” He definitely preached that Jesus died, was buried, and arose from the dead. Jesus is alive. He preached the resurrection first in order of time to build faith because it is first in order of importance. Jesus is the Son of God and declares a wonderful and powerful truth, when he tells Mary and Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (Jn. 11:25). Who can doubt it?

Paul continues, “That which I also received,” is not from man but heaven (1 Cor. 2:1-5, 10-13; 11:23). This message is divine, God’s truth, and will set one free. What power! What faith! What firmness of confidence! What absolute trust in the hope of the resurrection and eternal life in Jesus, our Lord and Master. Upon the acceptance of these facts, there is no room for doubt. The only logical response is, “Lord, I believe.”

Therefore, arise and obey Him for He is both Lord and Christ, the Savior of all. “If God be for us, who can be against us.” Jesus is risen. He is alive and speaks for His Father (Heb. 1:1-2). Hear the Father’s own words, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5; 2 Pet. 1:17).

A reaffirmation of these facts will build faith, sustain faith and arouse within us a strong determination to live better, do more and teach others with full confidence. God will give the increase and bless.

Paul’s Affirmation Of The Three Basic Facts

Fact One: “How that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” “According to the scriptures” means as it was revealed to him. This was not just a death. It was a vicarious death planned in the mind of God, “For our sins.”

Christ died is a Divine pronouncement (Matt. 27-28; Mk. 15-16; Luke 23-24; Jn. 19-20), “according to the scriptures.” If and when one reads all four of the gospel accounts of Jesus death, he certainly will be impressed with the shameful, humiliating even dehumanizing, ignominious manner in which He was treated. Then add the crucifixion with all its suffering, the piercing of His side, blood and water coming forth; the centurion’s expression, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” Also at Pilate’s request, another centurion was called and testified to the fact that Jesus was dead. Pilate, upon this information, gave Jesus’ body to Joseph of Arimathaea for burial. He was sure that Jesus was dead. How could anybody read these accounts with the credibility and doubt for one moment that Jesus died a real and historical death. (Please reread the accounts.)

Why Did Jesus Die?

There is no human reason to be given. It could be and only be a manifestation of Divine love and Wisdom of God. Therefore to answer our question, we suggest some biblical reasons for Christ coming to earth, living, suffering and dying.

1. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.” That tells the whole motivating story (Jn. 3:16-18).

2. Christ gave Himself willingly, voluntarily and vicariously that sinful man might have forgiveness and live eternally in heaven (Jn. 10:18; Matt. 20:28).

3. He died to redeem fallen man and pay the ransom price for all (Gal. 3:13; 4:5; Tit. 2:14-15). Regardless of whether the texts have reference to the Jews or Gentiles, His death was essential for man’s redemption in Christ (Eph. 1:7-12; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:22).

4. He died to fulfill Old Testament prophecy and establish a new covenant or dispensation (Eph. 2:14-16; Col. 2:14; Luke 24:46; Acts 2:16; Gal. 3:19,24). There are many New Testament texts confirming the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (Luke 24:44-49; Jn. 6:44-45; 12:32-34; Acts 13:20). Christ’s death was no accident, no humanly planned scheme to kill a human being. He died a vicarious death, “for our sins.”

5. Sin and death gave reason for Christ’s death to save man (2 Tim. 1: 10). Death was the last enemy to be conquered and required Christ’s dying for us (1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Cor. 15:56). He tasted death for all and freed us from the bondage of death (Heb. 2:9-10, 14-18; 4:14-16).

6. Christ died to become our high priest which necessitated the change of law (Heb. 7:12, 17, 24-28). He offered Himself as the sacrifice once for all and “sat down on the right hand of God” (Heb. 10: 10- 14). Thus, we through the “obedience of faith” can become “a royal priesthood” under Jesus Christ, our high priest (1 Pet. 2:5-10).

7. Jesus died to reconcile man to God (Eph. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:17-19). If one is saved, he must be reconciled unto God in Christ. There is no other way (Col. 1:20-29). This can be accomplished through faith, repentance, confession and baptism (Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:4; 1 Pet. 3:21-22).

8. Christ’s death was designed in the eternal mind of God for man’s salvation (Jn. 3:16-17; Gal. 1:4-5; 1 Pet. 2:24): “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). Thus, every reference in Holy Writ regarding Christ’s death ultimately leads to man’s redemption. His death is essential to establish the resurrection and gives firm assurance of immortality, eternal life (1 Cor. 15:12-20,47-58). If Christ did not die, He was not raised from the dead, there was no resurrection. But He died and our next fact confirms it.

Fact Two: “He was buried” (1 Cor. 15:4). Why make so much to do about the burial of Jesus’ body? There is not one miraculous thing characterized within the whole burial scene. It was foretold, notwithstanding; the burial was humanly expedited with no Divine intervention. There were some strange phenomenal occurrences but no miraculous manifestations at the burial.

The burial is here recorded as one of the basic, essential facts of the gospel. It is also recorded by all four gospel writers. Divine wisdom elevated this fact, the burial of Jesus’ body, to such importance that it is repeatedly recorded. The place it holds in the Divine record should mean something to us.

There are two every fundamental reasons for recording the burial of Christ’s body: (1) To sustain the fact that Jesus actually died, “He gave up the ghost.” He is dead and buried. (2) To confirm the absolute essentiality of the resurrection. He is dead and buried. There is no doubt about it. His own disciples went back to fishing. Thus, we need not wonder as to why they did not recognize Him walking along together and talking. They accepted the fact – He is dead and buried. He is no longer with us.

Great phenomenal preparations were made to secure the safety of Jesus’ tomb. Pilate told them, “Make it as sure as you can.” Why was this done and recorded? One reason, it answers beforehand most of the critics’ reasons for denying the resurrection. The grave clothes, the sealed stone door and the Roman guard to watch the tomb so no unlawful activities could interfere, substantiate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. Let us notice:

(1) The Swoon Theory. This theory affirms that Jesus was in an unconscious condition, but not actually dead. He revived and walked out of the tomb. Impossible? He could not have loosed the grave clothes, broken the seal and removed the huge stone door and walked out among the Roman guards and strolled aimlessly away unnoticed.

(2) The Thief Theory. (a) His disciples would steal His body or (b) His enemies might steal it. No man could have entered through the Roman guard and broken the seal, removed the stone door, taken up the body, placing the grave clothes neatly in the tomb and walked nonchalantly away with Jesus’ body.

Other lawful restrictions help answer the false claims for rejecting the resurrection. There were four death penalties announced against such: (1) Breaking the seal; (2) Allowing it to be broken; (3) Removing the body from the sepulcher; and (4) Sleeping on duty of the soldiers. Now who could/can in the face of all these established facts still hold to any theory rejecting the resurrection! There can be but one firmly established fact – Jesus was raised miraculously from the grave. That is our next point. Let us examine it.

Fact Three: “That he arose again the third day, according to the scriptures.” This affirms the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, “according to the scriptures.” No one can believe the Scriptures without believing that Jesus arose from the dead and no one can doubt the resurrection without rejecting the Scriptures. It is a biblical fact – Jesus Christ arose from the dead.

Paul hangs every tenet of faith, preaching and hope contained in the gospel and offered in Christ upon these three basic facts: the death, burial and resurrection. He said, “If there is no resurrection . . . Christ is not risen, our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain; we are false witnesses, the dead raise not, ye are yet in your sins, those fallen asleep in Christ are perished, if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Then he declares, “But Christ is risen from the dead. . . . By man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:12-21).

After Jesus’ resurrection, He was forty days among them and appeared at least on eleven different occasions: (1) To Mary Magdalene (Mk. 16:9; Jn. 20:11-18); (2) To the other women (Matt. 28:9); (3) To Peter (Luke 24:34); (4) To the two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-15); (5) To the ten men in the upper room (Jn. 20:19-24); (6) The next first day of the week, He appeared again with Thomas present (Jn. 20:26-29); (7) To more than five hundred at one time (1 Cor. 15:6). (8) To James (1 Cor. 15:7); (9) To Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and two others (Jn. 21:2); (10) To those on the mount of Olives, on which occasion He was taken up from them (Acts 1:6-12); and last of all (11), He appeared unto Paul (Acts 9:1-19; 22:121; 26:1-23; 1 Cor. 15:8). These appearances during the forty days forevermore refute the so-called “Hallucination Theory” that Jesus’ disciples wanted Him raised so much that they just imagined, dreamed or saw Him in a vision. This is incredible. Talk about the figment of somebody’s imagination, this is it! Too many intelligent people saw Him alive, believed and followed Him even unto death. Honesty demands that one accepts Jesus, if he believes these facts. They need to be preached around the world.

Luke introduces the book of Acts with the strongest affirmation that Jesus proved Himself to be the Son of God, when “he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). This evidence established faith in Jesus and moved the believers to obey Him as Lord and Savior (Acts 2:41-42).

Peter, in the first sermon ever preached under the great commission, declared “Ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death.” He reminded them that David spoke of Jesus whom God would raise up to sit upon His throne, “He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ.” Then he declared, “This same Jesus hath God raised up whereof we all are witnesses. . . . Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Those who received the word believed and were baptized and continued in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:22-42). The facts of the gospel will convince people that Jesus is the risen Lord and move them to obey Him (Luke 6:46; Heb. 5:9; 11:1).

Paul wrote concerning the Ephesians’ inheritance and hope and tells them when and where God accomplished it, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places. . . . And gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:19-23). This is “when Christ ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men” (Eph. 4:8). Therefore Christ is sitting and reigning upon the throne of His glory today. And “he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:25-26). Then God judges “the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained and hath given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

We must focus interest on these facts today for this was the purpose God raised up His Son Jesus, “sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:26). Peter and John were arrested because they “preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead” and gave Him as the power and name by which they restored the lame man’s health (Acts 4:2,10).

The great and moving eleventh chapter of Hebrews was written, I believe, to encourage faithfulness to the Lord. He lists some heroes of faith of bygone years as witnesses to us that it pays to be true to the Lord in any circumstance, condition, situation, society or world in which we live. Then he turns, as it were, and says to all Christians, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We rest our case for the restoration of focus on the facts of the gospel upon the death, burial and resurrection of the ascended and reigning Christ. These are essential facts, unmoveable piers, upon which our faith rests and our hope in Christ is stayed. May we believe, live and teach them “to the saving of our soul.”

Guardian of Truth XXX: 11, pp. 326-327, 354-355
June 5, 1986

By Tom M. Roberts

In the prejudicial environment of the first century between Jew and Gentile, the biblical doctrine of grace was immediately explosive and controversial. Though God had testified through the prophets that Gentiles would be the objects of His grace (mercy), those who testified of God’s .grace in redemption did not find a ready and receptive audience in every place. Moses and other prophets who followed after had been told that God would have “mercy on whom I will have mercy” (Rom. 9:15) and “I will call that my people which was not my people” (v. 25; cf. Hosea 2:23); a message forgotten indeed. Consequently, even in the first century, there was a need for the restoration of the doctrine of grace by inspired preachers. Grace was not new; it had been lost in the maze of traditionalism and error that characterized first-century Judaism. Additionally, racial and sectarian hatreds made it unthinkable that the uncircumcised among the nations would find a place of equality in the redemptive plan of Jehovah. Is it any wonder that a large portion of sacred Scripture coming down to us from that era addresses and expounds upon the grace of God?

When Martin Luther raised his hammer and affixed the 95 theses to the door of the Whittenburg Cathedral fifteen hundred years later, the blows that echoed through Roman Catholicism were caused in part by that generation’s misconceptions of grace and law-righteousness.. As it developed, neither the Pope nor Luther had the truth but that did not stop the controversy, nor did it fix a solution for future generations.

Our own generation is, as you can see, heir to centuries of controversy over the grace of God. How tragic! That which has been intended by God to be a blessing has been made into a cause of religious warfare. Strewn on the battle, field of sin and death are the souls of men and women who are in desperate need of the grace of God – which grace lies hidden under the debris of sectarian error. Along with the worst Pharisee of the first century, beside the Gentiles of many nations, we of the twentieth century need a restoration of the doctrine of the grace of God. May God indeed have mercy on us as we study to find the truth of His gracious plan of redemption. It is there. It has been revealed. “God is not willing that any should perish” (2 Pet. 3:9). Let us seek, therefore, with assurance, knowing that Jesus died to make us “heirs of the grace of life” (v. 7). Let us restore, in our lifetime, the preaching of the “true grace of God” (1 Pet. 5:12).

A Gentle Reminder: God Is At Work

Lest we be too pessimistic (as though man’s case is hopeless because of the mountain of error) or too arrogant (as though salvation is totally dependent on the work of our hands), we should remember that God is at work through His word. The Scriptures have been given “by the inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16), God’s word will not return unto Him void (Isa. 55:11), and “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32). Wherever the Bible goes, truth goes, independent of human agency. Life is in the seed (Luke 8:11) and, though man is used to scatter the seed, the life without the seed is not dependent on the sower. Let us therefore be assured that the “good news” of the grace of God is available to all men around the world because Bibles have been distributed in every nation. Without discounting the important work of gospel preaching, we should recognize that any truth-seeker can know of God’s grace without contact from middle-class America.

Recent History

It takes but a short trip through Restoration history to be aware of this fact. During pioneer America, men arose who threw off the creeds of men and returned to the pure waters of God’s truth. Though beginning in the darkness of error, from within various denominations, seekers of truth came to know the pure gospel of Christ which tells of God’s grace. Gradually, faltering at first but with ever-increasing confidence, multitudes studied themselves out of systems of bondage and became free men and women in Christ. We today are the heirs of these courageous people and owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. Nevertheless, what they did, anyone can do. There is no patent on Bible study. Nor is the entrance to the kingdom of heaven restricted to the Western Hemisphere. let us pray for a restoration of the New Testament doctrine of the grace of God throughout the world. Think how mighty Russia would shake when its people learned of this grace; China, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, from continent to continent, around the world. Let us pray and work for the harvest (Matt. 9:38).

How to Insure the Restoration in Our Day

It has been said that “those who ignore the mistakes of the past are bound to repeat them.” Others, from the New Testament days until now, have lost view of God’s grace and drifted into error. How can we be sure that we profit from past mistakes, “Keeping ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 21)? I affirm that we must follow the trail left by those Restorationists before us (including the apostles) by depending on an understanding of God’s word to lead us into truth (Jn. 17:17). We must learn what Paul taught the Pharisee and the Gentile. We must avoid the mistakes of Catholicism and Martin Luther and the Reformers. We must restore it as did Peter: ” . . . I have written unto you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand ye fast therein” (1 Pet. 5:12). We know of it only as we know the Scriptures: “And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). “The grace of God hath appeared bringing salvation to all men” (Tit. 2:11) but this appearance is not ethereal, mysterious and unattainable. It “instructs us” (v. 12), indicating its connection with the word. Further, we are to “speak these things and exhort and reprove with all authority” (v. 15). A restoration of grace is as sure as a restoration of gospel preaching.

A False Charge

In our time, this true grace has been an d is being preached. Of late, some have charged us with not preaching grace because we do not preach a denominational concept of grace. Among our brethren, some have fallen backward into the error from which we have previously escaped. Having accepted false definitions of Bible terms, they accuse us of not preaching grace because we don’t use their definitions: faith only, imputation of Christ’s personal righteousness, once saved, always saved, etc. We are told that we are “legalists” when we teach free will, human responsibility, faithful obedience (man’s ability to “do”), and the possibility of apostasy. But we will not be deterred by such charges. Paul faced such treatment when he taught God’s grace and so will we. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4). What does God have to say about His grace?

The Doctrine of Grace

God did not have to save sinful man; we are justly condemned (Rom. 1, 2, 3). But “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the us” (Rom. 5:8). The source of grace is God. The basis for grace is the death of Christ. The appropriation of grace is man’s faith. “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand. (Rom. 5:1,2). Access by faith into grace, we are told. Salvation is “by grace through faith” (Eph. 2:8,9). Grace is the- gi ft of God (unmerited favor) and it is not of works (lest we boast), but faith and faithful obedience (Rom. 1:5; 16:26) are not included in the category of boastful works; they are essential to salvation. To understand grace, we must understand the relation that faith sustains to it. To receive this grace, we must avoid boastful works. This is the historic battleground upon which so many have fallen through misunderstanding. Let us be sure that we have the truth.

Proper Understanding of Faith

Faith is not a gift of God as the Calvinists teach. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10: 17). Faith is work (Jn. 6:29) but not a boastful work. It is a response of man (something man does, a work) from his free will and innate ability. Man is not depraved in nature, but can do either good or evil. “Man, as he is,” expounded Benjamin Franklin, one of the pioneer preachers, explaining that man does not need a “Holy Spirit experience” to believe. He is able to believe because God addressed His revelation to man’s intelligence. He is able to disbelieve, and is therefore accountable because of his ability. But faith itself is not a gift; it is a response to God’s expressed will. Abraham is the one chosen by God to illustrate faith as a response to His grace. Abraham believed (Gen. 15:6) and proved it on at least three notable occasions: leaving Ur, the birth of Isaac and the offering of Isaac, In these instances, faith is not an abstract mental assent but expressed in living action (faithfulness). Abraham trusted God in these instances (and others), not in his works. He did not fail to obey but he did not trust in obedience; he trusted in God. This difference is the essence of faith. As James described it: “Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith” (Jas. 2:18). It is this kind of faith that gives us “access into grace” (Rom. 5:1,2) and not faith alone, as taught by Calvinists. It is upon the condition of this faithfulness that Paul says God expressed His grace to Abraham when He forgave Abraham’s sins. “For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh (trusting in his works, tr), the reward is not reckoned as of ‘grace, but as of debt. But to him that worketh not (not trusting in his works, tr), but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned -for righteousness” (Rom. 4:2-5). In Romans 4, Paul continued the discussion by showing that God put (reckoned, imputed) righteousness to Abraham’s account because his sins were forgiven (v. 7). His sins were forgiven because of Abraham’s faith and obedience (faithfulness) toward God. Abraham had access by faith into the grace of God. But why is the story of Abraham important to me?

The Gospel Was Preached To Abraham

“Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham” (Gal. 3:7-9). Hear it! We are going to be saved by grace like Abraham was saved. Not, to be sure, by leaving our kindred or by having a son in our old age or by offering him on an altar. These were the tests of Abraham’s faith. We have different tests (repentance, confession, baptism, godly living) but the proper response is that of faith. And that faith must be in God, not faith in works (as illustrated in the following chart).

But, someone asks: “Why spend so much time talking about faith when the subject is of grace?” The obvious reason is that there is no need to exhort God about grace. God has done His part so very well that grace is available to all as a “finished work” in Christ. Nothing remains to be done, nothing is lacking, grace is a reality. But we must exhort men to respond to this grace and that response is “faith to the saving of the soul” (Heb. 10:36). It balances the heavenly equation of salvation “by grace through faith.” Grace makes salvation possible; faith accepts it; obedience proves my faith to God.

Bible Survey Bears This Out

Anyone familiar with Bible history should be able to understand the doctrine of grace. The fall of man introduces our need: man is lost without God’s mercy. He cannot save himself by a law of the conscience (Rom. 2:12-16) as Gentiles attempted; he cannot save himself by law-keeping (Rom. 2:1-3) as the Jews attempted. Man needs mercy, grace. Beginning with the prophecy in Genesis 3 and continuing with the promises to Abraham, the Lord offers that help. Jacob’s descendants become Exhibit “A” as God unfolds the Plan of Redemption through the Seed promise (Gal. 3:16). The constant and unremitting rebellion of the Jews do not keep God from performing His promise to bring the Messiah. The advent of Messiah was unconditional; the reception of grace by sinners is conditional – and that condition is faith. The case histories in the Bible bear this out: Noah, Moses, Joshua, the Israelites, David, the prophets, et al. Since one picture is said to be worth more than a thousand words, let me introduce a simple chart by Roy Cogdill that simply, yet profoundly, states the case before us: God and man, grace and faith.

Brethren, to preach this chart is to preach grace and faith unto salvation. When a detractor charges us with not preaching about grace in today’s pulpits, I remind him that this material pre-dates Roy Cogdill. It pre-dates America’s Restoration. In fact, it is essentially the argument of the writer of the Hebrew letter. The Hebrew writer (unknown by name) was a Restorationist preacher: he was attempting to restore dispirited Hebrew Christians to the grace of God. When we preach the same material today and emphasize baptism, we are preaching grace through faith. If a restoration of the doctrine is needed today, we can begin at no better place. Tell the story of Noah, Abraham and Israel and we are telling of God’s grace. Tell the story of Jericho, Naaman, and the sinner being baptized into Christ and we are preaching salvation by grace through faith. God’s grace has appeared and it instructs us (Tit. 2:11,12). By faith, we accept.

Not So Technical

This study has not attempted to address theological questions about grace, though we have no fear of an investigation on that level. Rather, we have looked at grace on a level where we common men and women must operate and understand. We stand at the intersection where grace and faith meet on Main Street of sinful Earth. Seeing our need and being aware of our helplessness, we reach out to God in faith. And, you know what? He is there. He is willing to save me, not condemn me. It is for this reason that I, with millions of others can sing:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 11, pp. 330-332
June 5, 1986

By Mike Willis

While attending a state university, I took an introductory course in psychology. As the professor gave his first lecture, he said, “If there are any ‘Bible thumpers’ in this class, I would recommend that you drop the class.” Later, I attended a graduate school at a seminary run by the Disciples of Christ. In a class on “Introduction to the New Testament,” the professor said, “About the only thing historical in the gospel record of the life of Christ is ‘Jesus died.”‘ I frequently observe blatant disrespect for the Bible by the news media and in television situation comedies.

There is a need in America for us to restore a wholesome respect for the authority of the Bible in our lives. But some may ask, “Why should I have a respect for the Bible?”

The Bible Is A Revelation From God

There are basically two concepts which man can have of the Bible: (1) the Bible is a record of man’s gropings to find God and (2) the Bible is a revelation from God to man. Those who view the Bible as a record of man’s groping to find God have no qualms in disagreeing with the writings of Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, or Paul. Their thoughts and beliefs are just as worthwhile as are those of the biblical writers. They conceive of the New Testament description of the early church as the historical record of the beginnings of Christianity but think that man must ever work to improve the Christian religion. Others (2) believe that the Bible is a revelation of God’s will to man. It contains the record of God’s work to redeem man from sin, a revelation of the ethics which are acceptable to God, a revelation of the conditions for obtaining forgiveness of sins, and a pattern for congregational worship, work, organization, etc. (a blueprint for the church). To conceive of the church revealed in the Bible as a model to be improved upon is incompatible with the idea of a perfect revelation from God.

Each of us stands at this crossroads and makes a commitment to one of these concepts of the Bible. Those who view the Bible as a record of man’s gropings for God commit themselves, not to following the details of the Bible, but to changing and reshaping Christianity to fit the age in which they live. Those who view the Bible as a divine revelation will commit themselves to following the pattern revealed in the Bible in every respect.

I contend that the Bible is an expression of the authority of God over man. As our Creator, God has supreme authority over us. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev. 4:11). God has given all authority to Jesus (Matt. 28:18). “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:12). The apostle Paul said that God had raised Jesus from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:20-22).

The Scriptures clearly affirm that Jesus is the Lord over all things to man (cf. Acts 2:36). How does one learn the mind of Christ in order that he might submit to His authority?

Jesus revealed His will to mankind through the apostles and prophets of the first century. As Jesus prepared to depart from this world, He promised to give the apostles another Comforter, the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit would come, He “will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 16:13). In explaining the Spirit’s work, Jesus said, “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak” (Matt. 10: 19). Hence, the Holy Spirit came to the apostles, revealing to them the words of God.

At first, God’s revelation to man through the apostles was oral. Later, this revelation was committed to writing. This written revelation was just as certainly the voice of God as what was spoken through them orally, as the following Scriptures indicate:

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of God (1 Cor. 14:37).

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe (1 Thess. 2:13).

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit (1 Thess. 4:8).

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me (Lk. 10:16; cf. Matt. 10:40; Jn. 13:20).

The same principle is seen in the usage of the Old Testament by the New Testament writers. The New Testament use of the Old Testament Scriptures reveals that the words of the Old Testament were the words of God (Mt. 1:22; 2:15; 22:31; 22:43). That which was spoken by the prophet was considered the word of God (cf. Heb. 3:7; 4:7).

The Holy Spirit did what the Lord sent Him to do. He guided the apostles into all truth. Through His work of revelation, the Lord has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:34) and has given us the inspired Scriptures which thoroughly furnish us unto every good work (2 Tim. 3:17). There is no spiritual blessing available to man but that which comes to us through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3) and is revealed to us in the Bible. Some men say that we need to exalt the Man and not the Book. However, everything we know about the Man is revealed to us in the Book; hence, one cannot exalt the Man without exalting the Book.

This word of God will be the standard of judgment in the last day (Jn. 12:48; Rev. 20:12). By it mankind will be judged.

Hence, the Bible, far from being a record of man’s fallible searching and groping in an effort to find God, is a divine, infallible revelation of the will of God to man. It is man’s most precious possession, for without it we do not know how to obtain forgiveness of sins and to inherit heaven when we die. In a world of constant flux and change, the Bible reveals to mankind how to live the best life on earth. We need to restore respect for the authority of Jesus as revealed in the Bible.

Disrespect Shown For The Bible

A different type of disrespect for the Bible is shown by various groups. Here are some who are showing disrespect for the authority of God expressed in the Bible.

1. Atheism. Atheists are generally working under the banner of “humanism” today. The Humanists “find insufficient evidence for belief in the existence of a supernatural” and, therefore, believe “that traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species” (Humanist Manifesto H). Atheists blaspheme God and deny His word.

2. Modernism. Modernists deny the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Bible. There is wide divergence among modernists regarding how much of the Bible must be discarded. A group of scholars has recently been in conference to vote on which sayings of Jesus as recorded in the Bible are authentic. Some reject all of the miracles of the Bible; others reject all but a selected few. Some relegate the doctrine of the atonement to the outmoded past declaring that it is too bloody a religion for today’s age. In the realm of ethics, modernists have accepted and promulgated “situation ethics,” an ethical system in which every man becomes a law to himself. This shows a disrespect for the Bible.

3. Catholicism. Catholics profess to believe in the Bible and even claim that the Bible is a Catholic book. However, the Catholics subordinate the authority of God as revealed in the Bible to their church traditions and the ex cathedra word of the pope. One writes,

Christians agree that God’s revelation is found in the Bible. Catholics claim, however, that the Bible is not the only source of God’s teaching to man (Facts of the Faith, Monsignor J.D. Conway, p. 2).

In listing the other sources, Conway listed (1) the writings of the Church Fathers, (2) decrees and acts of the early church councils, (3) decisions of the popes, (4) their Creeds, (5) books of early prayers, ceremonies, and devotions, and (6) archaeological remains. Conway continued, “We believe that only the Church of Jesus Christ has the right and authority to collect, preserve, and teach the Bible. . . . The Church urges Catholics to read and study it, but she maintainings that we cannot take it as our only rule of faith, or read our own meanings into it. We need a teaching authority to interpret it” (Ibid, p. 10).

Hence, the Catholic Church shows a disrespect for the Bible by submitting the authority of the divinely revealed book to the fallible councils of men, church traditions, and ex cathedra statements of a pope.

4. Fundamental Protestants. Inasmuch as I have included many Protestants under “modernism,” I want to show how those Protestants who claim to be Evangelical and Fundamentalist show a disrespect for the Bible. Here are some of the ways:

(a) They show a disrespect by their creeds. The creeds of the various denominations are rules of faith which have authority over the various denominations. These creeds exclude from the fellowship of the denomination everyone who is unwilling to subscribe to its tenets. If these creeds contain more than the Bible, they contain too much; if they contain less than the Bible, they do not contain enough; if they contain the same thing as the Bible, they are unnecessary. Surely no one would claim that uninspired men can produce a better statement of faith than the Lord God Himself. Hence, the creeds of men show a disrespect for the word of God.

(b) Their practices in religion show disrespect for the Bible. Their “clergy” wears titles which exalt them above the “laymen” in violation of Jesus’ prohibition (Matt. 23:9). Their worship is changed and shaped according to the whims Of men, rather than the revelation of God. The Lord’s supper is served once a year, once every six months, or once a month as men might decide which is best. Funds are raised through bake sales, rummage sales, Las Vegas nights, Bingo, or involvement in secular business as men might judge best. Congregational singing is replaced by choirs, professional singing groups, instrumental music, and anything else they might desire to chose. The work of the church varies according to what men might judge best, ranging from church supported hospitals, orphans homes, colleges and soup lines to recreational activities such as church softball leagues, trips to amusement parks, fellowship halls, church owned gymnasiums, etc. Such activities show disrespect for the authority of God as revealed in the Bible inasmuch as they undermine the concept that the church revealed in the Bible is a pattern for all men of all ages.

(c) Inner illumination shows a disrespect for the authority of God. Many Fundamentalist preachers believe that the Holy Spirit of God gives them revelation separate and apart from the word of God. Anytime such a person has a strong feeling about anything, his subjective feelings become the voice of God in his life. As these preachers are “led by the Spirit,” they teach things contrary to the revelation of God in the Bible. They tell men to speak in tongues, be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and to seek the leadings of God outside of His revelation in the Bible. The doctrine of illumination of the Spirit undermines the authority of God in the Bible and shows a disrespect for the Bible.

5. Liberal brethren. Our liberal brethren and those in the Christian Church show a disrespect for the Bible in the things which they have introduced into the worship and work of the church. The Christian Church preachers have departed from the word of God, committing themselves to the principle that the “silence of the Bible authorizes.” Hence, they have introduced instrumental music in worship, church supported missionary societies, recreational activities, celebration of unauthorized holy days, and many other things. Our liberal brethren are not far behind. They have perverted the work of the church by involving the church in various works of the social gospel, such as church supported colleges, hospitals, unwed mothers homes, homes for the aged, and orphan homes. They have also involved the church in various recreational activities ranging from “Family Life Centers” (gymnasiums) to “fellowship halls.” They have distorted the organization of the church to funnel funds from thousands of churches through one centralized office in the sponsoring church arrangement. These practices of liberalism opened the floodgates for many other forms of apostasy and are moving the liberal churches of Christ into the mainstream of twentieth century Protestant denominationalism.

How To Restore Respect For The Authority of the Bible

How can men restore respect for the authority of the Bible? The answers are not so complex.

1. Atheism. The atheist must believe in God and accept the Bible as God’s revelation to man.

2. Modernism. The modernist must accept the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Bible. He must accept the record of the Bible miracles, believe the doctrines taught in the Bible, and submit himself to the ethics demanded in the Bible.

3. Catholicism. The Catholic must dethrone the pope, councils, and Catholic tradition. Then, he must accept the Bible as the only revelation of God to man. He must accept the fact that he can read and understand it for himself (Eph. 3:3-5) and then commit himself to obeying it.

4. Fundamental Protestants. Those who already accept the inspiration of the Scriptures, miracles, and many fundamental doctrines of the Bible must elevate the Bible above their human opinions. ” . . . it belongs to every individual and to every congregation of individuals to discard from their faith and their practice every thing that is not found written in the New Testament of the Lord and Savior, and to believe and practice whatever is their enjoined” (Christian Baptist, abridged ed., D.S. Burnet, editor, p. 133).

They must discard their human creeds and claims to special revelation from God (e.g., illumination of the Spirit), submitting themselves to the word of God.

5. Liberal brethren. Like the other denominations, the Christian Churches and liberal churches of Christ must be willing to discard from their faith and their practice everything that is not found written in the Bible. Giving lip service to the authority of the Scriptures while introducing many unauthorized items into the worship, work, and organization of the church is no different from what the denominations do who pay lip service to the Bible while clinging to their creeds. The authority of the Bible will be respected again when men are willing to make these commitments.

Conclusion

If we truly respect the Bible as the revelation of the mind of God to man, we will read and study it. We will believe it. We will obey it. We will preach it to others. So long as we leave the Bible on our coffee tables to collect dust, we need not preach to others about their need to restore respect for the authority of God as revealed in the Bible.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 11, pp. 322, 356-357
June 5, 1986