Truth Magazine

By S. Leonard Tyler

Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:19, in contrast to being drunken with wine, “But be filled with the Spirit,” and in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” which means when combined: Allow the teaching of the Spirit to fill you heart, guide your thinking, control your speech, direct your actions and fill your life with faith, love, confidence, assurance, happiness, peace and everlasting hope to the overflowing of joyfully singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to teach one another and praise Almighty God.

Singing is very vital to one’s spiritual life. In fact, it should be a heartwarming influence in the assembled church for worship. It demonstrates not only the true spirit of the assembly but also yields a mighty influence upon the minds of those assembled to open their hearts to the truth, wisdom, and admonition offered in this joyful manner. Such an attitude is very advantageous to the acceptance of all spiritual blessings, even truth itself with genuine love. Singing praise with grace in the heart unto the Lord is a most expressive and demonstrative way in which any group can make known truth, wisdom, and the purity of their own faith in an appreciative, joyful manner. it is a wonderful way to express convictions.

We are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody unto the Lord. Some have made a big thing of the different types of songs to be sung. But it is rather difficult to determine the terms used sufficiently to definitely distinguish between them. It is accepted that each term originally denoted a distinct kind or type of song, but within one song two or three types are often involved or combined. Psalms are devoted as praise to ‘God such as David’s Psalms, but hymns are also deeply emotional and devoted to God. Spiritual songs, perhaps, are more exuberant, moving in spirit but may be highly devoted to God in praise and admiration. It is the combination of all the deep feelings and loving emotions one has for God and his great desire to make known to others what being a Christian means to him, as well as transmitting the wonderful message to others for their salvation.

We recognize that many religious leaders in a desperate effort to find scriptural authority or justification of their mechanical instruments in worship call attention to the fact that in the Old Testament originally “sacrifice” implied animal offerings. But we inquire, does that authorize or justify animal sacrifices in acceptable worship under the New Covenant (Rom. 12:1)? The response is definitely negative, “No.” Then would psalms being sung with musical accompaniments under the Old Economy justify the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship under the New Covenant? The answer is definitely negative, “No.” We are living under the New Testament today and not the Old. The instrument upon which we are to make melody is the heart (Eph. 5:19).

Psallo means a plucking, twitching, to pull and let go again, or the vibration of a string, per usual in the Old Testament usage, mechanical instrument. However, in the New Testament we are told very plainly what the instrument is upon which we are to make melody; it says, “singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” It is “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” or “teaching and admonishing one another.” This can not be done with a mechanical instrument to play the melody. The Lord did not practice or teach any such thing; neither did His apostles. In fact, no instrumental mechanical music was ever a part of the New Testament church’s worship. Historically, this statement stands. We mean with the approval of the doctrine of Christ. If it is, please give chapter and verse for it. “But it does not say not to have it,” some respond. No, neither does it say, “not to have ham and coffee on the Lord’s table.” Does that justify ham on the Lord’s table? Remember our faith stands in what the New Testament says, not in what it does not say. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with grace in your heart to the Lord is one great and effective way to demonstrate the fulness of spirit and richness of truth which fills the heart with the deepest feelings of love and purity of life. It is demonstrative of praise and thanksgiving to almighty God with emotions seasoned with truth.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 7, p. 212
April 3, 1986

By W. Frank Walton

The phone rings late at night. We tense up, fearing bad news: “Oh no, what’s happened?” News reports bombard us with depressing regularity of this world’s harsh realities and tragic problems. Is “no news good news”?

There is eternal good news that needs to be shouted from the housetops. The gospel means “good news”! “Good” means it’s beneficial, profitable, giving true happiness; “news” means it’s significant, timely. The gospel centers upon Jesus as the Savior of the world, in His life, person, work and teaching (Mk. 1:1). His advent upon the stage of human history was heralded as something wonderful. “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2: 10-11, NASB). His mission was to proclaim the kingdom’s good news (Mk. 1:14). His commission is, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mk. 16:15). This must be critical, earthshaking news!

But people often think Jesus’ coming was bad news, spoiling man’s “fun.” We sometimes give the impression Mark 16:15 means, “Go spread the bad news. You’ll be embarrassed by this ‘gospel’ because it’ll ruin your life and those you teach. He who joins our gloomy group will be miserable here and might avoid hell hereafter. But he who’s unconverted will be envied because of his enjoyment of worldly pleasure.” Does the gospel really mean “good news” to us?

The good news in the first century startled the world by its radical, life-changing power when planted in human hearts. It gave great joy to those who obeyed it (Acts 2:42; 8:8,39; 16:34). It sparked riots and relentless persecution. Its ringing declaration was demanding, decisive, and exclusive in its dynamic content. The gospel’s powerful message made people either glad, sad or mad, but never bored and indifferent. Why?

1. The Gospel of Truth and Salvation. The good news of Jesus is “the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13). The gospel alone reveals absolute, infallible and unchanging truth to a changing world. God cannot lie; Scripture cannot be broken. The gospel isn’t a religious myth fabricated by deluded men. Its historical reality has been reliably confirmed (1 Cor. 15:1-8).

It’s a fact that man is lost, separated by sin from God. In rebellion to God’s sovereignty, we’ve “missed the mark” of His design for our potential. The just sentence of hell’s reality is part of “the glad tidings” (Lk. 3:18, ASV). God isn’t bluffing. We must know our true condition before we see the urgent need of the “joyful tidings.” His abiding truth is the only authoritative standard, not the volatile opinions and unreliable feelings of fallible men. All competing ideas and sophisticated philosophies contradicting the gospel are false. The gospel truth is the only reliable source of man’s purpose, meaning and blessing. It shows the futility of sin.

Only the gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Education, money, social prestige and military might are impotent in saving man in his greatest need. Salvation is deliverance from a real, life-threatening danger. Today, we say a relief pitcher has many “saves”; an accountant “saves” us money on taxes. But think of waking up in the middle of the night. Your lungs are filled with smoke. You cough violently. You feel intense heat. Your house is on fire! You panic, realizing you and your family are about to be burned alive! But at that moment of awesome terror, firemen suddenly break through the billowing smoke, grabbing you and your family, and carrying you all through the inferno to safety. You have been saved!

Think how much greater is the gospel, which tells of Jesus (“Jehovah is salvation”), “for it is he who will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Jesus saved us from the fires of eternal torment in hell, since we were under the curse of sin and the judicial wrath of God. Only Jesus could have died at the right time, home our punishment on the cross, and saved us from eternal ruin. If obeying the gospel doesn’t get us excited about being saved, let’s check our pulse to see if we’re alive!

2. The Gospel of Peace and Promise. The “gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15) offers everyone the peace of a right relationship with the Creator. You are just as important to God as anyone else. By obeying the gospel, anyone can be adopted into the family of God and become heir to the abundant spiritual blessings in Christ. This is “the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Eph. 3:6).

Biblically, peace is more than just the absence of conflict. It’s the full restoration of a right, living relationship. The breach has been healed in complete reconciliation. The priceless blood of Jesus paid the infinite debt of sin to satisfy the justice of God (Eph. 2:1317). His mediation enables us to fully know our Father, which makes for life’s highest good. We have peace within ourselves as we meet the gracious conditions of pardon. We have the promise of a loving Father’s constant concern and care. This gives us tranquility even in turmoil. Because the gospel of peace and promise has totally changed our lives for the better, we act as peacemakers in gladly sharing the gospel.

3. The Gospel of Life. Immortality and Hope. “Our Savior Christ Jesus . . . abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). The good news answers two profound questions of time and eternity: (1) “How should we then live?” (Ezek. 33: 10) and (2) “If a man dies, will he live again?” (Job 14:14)

Everyone must decide how to live. Jesus came to give a truly abundant life (Jn. 10:10). This is the unceasing supply of the greatest quality of life ever known. “For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace” (Jn. 1:16). In Him, wave after wave of refreshing grace for living is supplied by truly knowing Him (1 Jn. 5:20). He didn’t just tell us about life, He is the Life (Jn. 14:6). He is the living model of successful spiritual living and human potential. He enlightens us to discern the important from the trivial. He shows us how to overcome temptation, meet and deal with others, always please the Father and draw near in communion. Abiding in Jesus gives the spiritual life to bear much fruit (Jn. 15:8) of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). The gospel transforms us to be life’s real winners (Rom. 8:37).

We have this bold confidence because Jesus arose from the grave, assuring us of immortality. “Because I live, you shall live also” (Jn. 14:19). This hope of heaven in the gospel (Col. 1:5) is priceless beyond anything this vain world can give. The philosopher Jean Paul Sarte viewed life thusly: “Everything is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness and dies by chance. . . . I choked with rage at this gross absurd being.” The “brilliant” atheist Ingersoll said, “Every cradle asks us, ‘Whence?’ and every coffin, ‘Whither?’. . . Death is a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities. We cry aloud and the only answer is the wailing echo of our cry.” Thank God for the hope of heaven!

Death is a doorway leading some to the presence of the Lord, world without end. The gospel light enables us to see beyond today to the day of eternity. Let’s appreciate and be motivated by the irreplaceable gospel, which “has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:3-5).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 8, pp. 227-228
April 17, 1986

By Don Givens

Jesus gave complete and unreserved endorsement to the old covenant Scriptures (Matt. 5:17,18; John 10:35) and said that He did not come to destroy, deny or fight against them, but to fulfil them. Our Lord quoted extensively from the old Testament and referred to its people and stories as historical fact.

Jesus upheld the validity of the law in its completeness, and He claimed that the three parts of the former Scriptures prophesied of Him: “the law, the prophets, and the psalms” (Luke 24:44). Our Lord obeyed the law of God under which the Jews lived at that time. He was willingly obedient to parental (Luke 2:51), civil (Matt. 22:21) and religious law (John 8:29). In all of His conversations and activities, Jesus’ constant appeal was to the Scriptures.

In defeating the tempter, Jesus wielded the Word of God (Matt. 4: 1-11) by emphatically stating “it is written.” Our Lord used the Scriptures to rebuke wrong-doing (Matt. 21:12, 13) and He exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their human traditions which made void the Scriptures. The Master Teacher clearly pointed out that the source of error was ignorance of the Scriptures (Matt. 22:29) and He quoted Scripture to silence objectors (Matt. 22:41-45).

Are we like Jesus in our attitude toward the Scriptures? Do we have this appreciation and respect for the sacred writings? How unlike Jesus is the person today who may boast of having “the spirit of Christ” but who at the same time is trampling underfoot the law of God! (Luke 6:46)

God’s only begotten Son loved, trusted, quoted, and believed wholeheartedly the Scriptures even exclaiming 41scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). Dare our attitude be less? Does one today “mouth love . . . and disregard law”? Does one turn “grace” into an excuse to sin? Does one “bend the law” to conform to his own way? If so, he has none of the genuine “spirit of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:2-4; Gal. 5:13-15).

The theme of Jesus’ life was humble obedience to the will of the Father (Heb. 5:8,9). Is that our desire and passion? The grand design of the gospel is to make us more like Jesus every day; to follow His example, to imitate His character, and to be “changed into that same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

The question of eternal significance is not: “Do I have a good attitude toward myself?” but rather: “Do I have a good and proper attitude toward God’s inspired Word?”

Guardian of Truth XXX: 8, p. 231
April 17, 1986

By Mike Willis

Ever so often, someone writes an article opposing the present usage by God’s people of the name “Church of Christ.” These articles seem to be written in opposition to the sermons which are sometimes preached on the name of the church. Some brethren seem allergic to any sermons which are presented on the New Testament church to distinguish the Lord’s church from modern denominationalism. Indeed, they believe that the Lord’s church is just another denomination. One area in which they think they have a legitimate objection is in the area of the name of the church.

Does The Church Have A Name?

Before we can answer that question, we must define the word “name.” Webster defines the word as follows:

1. a word of phrase by which a person, thing, or class of things is known, called, or spoken to or of. 2. a word or words expressing some quality considered characteristic or descriptive of a person or thing.

Would anyone like to deny that the church has a name? Using Webster’s definition, who could deny that the church has a name?

Yet these brethren would protest, “I object to ‘the’ name of the church. The church does not have a name like that of a man, John Doe.” First of all, I know of no one who is teaching that God gave the church only one name and that it would be sinful to use any other name than “church of Christ.” Secondly, this objection denies that the church has a “proper name. ” A proper noun is distinguished from a common noun by this objection. Yet, I affirm that Paul’s usage of “unto the church of God which is at Corinth” is no different than when I address a letter to the “Church of Christ, 622 Main Street, Any City, U.S.A.” Any English grammarian would state that “Church of Christ” is a proper noun; similarly, so is “church of God” in 1 Corinthians 1:2.

“Church of Christ” Is Just Like Other Denominational Names

Some brethren have written that the usage of “Church of Christ” just like the usage of any other denominational name. To this I object.

1. Church of Christ is in the Bible. Most denominational names are not in the Bible. I defy the man who claims that the name “church of Christ is just like other denominational names” to find these names in the Bible: Baptist Church, Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, Episcopalian Church, Pentecostal Church, Mormon Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc. He may respond, “I can find ‘church of God’ in the Bible.” That is correct and I know of no man who considers it sinful for the Lord’s church to be called the “church of God.”

2. It honors Christ. Most denominational names do not honor the Lord or Christ; instead they exalt some man, organizational arrangement, belief, or practice. To illustrate, consider these names:

Lutheran Church exalts Martin Luther

Baptist Church exalts baptism

Presbyterian Church exalts a form of church government

Episcopalian Church exalts a form of church government

Pentecostal Church exalts the miracles of Pentecost

Methodist Church exalts certain methods of holiness

The names revealed in the Bible honor and exalt Christ or God. In this respect the names are different.

3. It is a name in which we can stand united. Denominational names are divisive. The various members of denominations cannot unite under one denominational name (e.g., no Baptist wants to be known as a Roman Catholic; no United Pentecostal wants to be called a Episcopalian). In contrast, everyone could agree to be called by any name by which the Bible designates the church, such as church of God, church of Christ, kingdom of God, etc. By using a name by which the church is designated in the Scriptures, we can have unity. I know of no division among God’s people which has been caused because someone wanted to call the Lord’s church a biblical name.

Much Criticism But No Alternatives

Through the years, I have watched carefully the various articles written by those who oppose using “church of Christ” as “‘the name” of the church. Much criticism has been written about what is presently practiced by churches of Christ. Wanting to be objective, I have watched what these brethren do to learn their better way of doing things. What do they do? Surprisingly, they practice the very things which they condemn in others. Their meeting houses have “Church of Christ” written on them; their signs in front of their buildings have “Church of Christ” written on them. Their stationary has “Church of Christ” on the letterheads and envelopes. Their bulletins say, “published by the church of Christ which meets at. . . . ” How serious are these brethren in making their objections if they are going to practice the very thing which they condemn?

They express; a concern about what “Church of Christ” on our signs conveys to the world. I suppose that “Church of Christ’ I on the sign in front of the building where I preach conveys approximately the same thing to the world as it conveys when written on the sign in front of their building. But what alternatives do we have? Shall we get a sign on which we change the name every week or day? Perhaps we could say: “Church of God” on Mondays, “Church of the Firstborn” on Tuesdays, “House of God” on Wednesdays, “Kingdom of God” on Thursdays, “Kingdom of Heaven” on Fridays, “The Lord’s Church” on Saturdays, and “Church of Christ” on Sundays. Every fifth Sunday we could put up a “No-name Church.” Would this be more scriptural or less scriptural? What would this convey to the world? The world would probably think that we were a mixed up bunch of people, bordering on emotional instability. Or, we could get one sign on which we wrote every name in the Bible by which the Lord’s church is designated. Surprisingly, none of those who so conscientiously oppose the sectarian use of “Church of Christ” has opted for either of these alternatives. As a matter of fact, they have suggested no workable alternatives at all. For the most part, they just keep on practicing what they condemn!

A few come up with some alternatives such as “Undenominational Christians Meet Here.” The idea is true but the expression itself is not found in the Bible. Is it really more effective than “church of Christ” which God directly revealed? If we say “church of Christ,” we will need to explain it means “Undenominational Christians” and if we say “Undenominational Christians,” we need to explain it to mean the “church of Christ” about which we read in the Bible. This is tit for tat. The same would be true for “Undenominational Church,” “The Church,” or any other proposal.

What Is Sectarianism?

Is sectarianism determined by what is on the sign in front of the building? I think not. Sectarianism is not a state of the sign, it is a state of the mind. Our brethren have been working to oppose sectarianism, even among our own members, for as long as I can remember.

Gospel preachers have preached, in every sermon that I remember on the identifying marks of the church, that the New Testament church is called by many different names, including church of God (1 Cor. 1:2), church of the firstborn (Heb. 12:23), house of God (1 Tim. 3:15). church of the living God (1 Tim. 3:15), etc. They have worked to teach members that individual saints are called Christians, disciples or believers but not “Church of Christers.” They have opposed usages such as “Church of Christ preacher,” “Church of Christ church,” “I’m a church of Christ.” They have correctly pointed out that this is the language of denominationalism, not of New Testament Christianity.

However, there will always be Christians converted from denominationalism and influenced by the denominational world around us who will have to be taught more perfectly the way of Christ. Changing the sign in front of the building will not change this. The only thing which will change this is the consistent teaching of New Testament Christianity to contrast it with modern denominationalism.

Many of the sermons which are preached against the “Church of Christ” name are aimed, not at moving brethren into a better understanding of undenominational Christianity, but at moving them into the broad, mainstream of twentieth century, Protestant denominationalism. Some are working to silence the guns which are being fired against the use of denominational names such as Baptist Church, Methodist Church, Episcopalian Church, and other names not found in the Bible. Unfortunately, some naive preachers among us are picking up on these objections and parroting them around as if they had discovered some new truth – that the New Testament uses more than one name to refer to God’s people. And, maybe that is new to them.

Conclusion

Brethren, let us not allow these shallow and unbiblical objections to move us from our studied and steady opposition to denominationalism. Let us continue to preach sermons which will enable men to distinguish the Lord’s church from modern denominations. Let us preach the identifying marks of the New Testament church, one of which is the names by which it is called. Though the name of the church is not the only identifying mark of the New Testament church which distinguishes it from the denominations around us, it is one identifying mark – one which Christians need to remember and not forget.

I still believe and preach, “If you cannot find the name of the church of which you are a member in the Bible, you

are not in Christ’s church.” Do you agree?

Guardian of Truth XXX: 8, pp. 226, 247-248
April 17, 1986