Truth Magazine

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: What does the expression “will manifest myself” in John 14.21 mean?

Reply: In His farewell discourse to His disciples, Jesus said: “He that hath my commandments, and keepth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him” (Jn. 14:21).

The verb “will manifest” is the Greek word emphanizo in the future tense. There are other passages (Matt. 27:53; Heb. 9:24) where the word refers to a physical manifestation. But the word also (as suggested by W.E. Vine) is used metaphorically (Vol. 1, p. 65). In this discourse Jesus has promised the Holy Spirit to His apostles (Jn. 14:26; 16:13). It is in harmony with this context that to those obedient to His will, He would make His presence known by the Holy Spirit who would dwell in them. Of course, being guided by the Holy Spirit in what they spoke and wrote, this was miraculous (see Acts 2:14). Christians today do not have a miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but every child of God who is obedient to the will of Christ will have Him in his heart (1 Pet. 3:15), thus will be aware of His presence.

It is not a physical presence of Christ that is in Christians, but He abides in our hearts by faith, just as do the Father and the Holy Spirit. This is made possible by our obedient submission to the will of Christ. This is proof of our love (Jn. 14:15) and assurance that Christ loves us, and is manifested in us (v. 21) in our hearts and our lives. Even though Christ is in heaven, the Christian is conscious of His presence in his heart and life. The Scriptures supply our faith (Rom. 10: 17); therefore, Christ dwells in the obedient child of God by faith. As Paul expressed it, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith. . . ” (Gal. 2:20). The world sees Christ in us, not His physical presence, but by our words and actions as they conform to Christ’s will. He dwells in His followers spiritually as we partake of His strength and comfort, being assured that He is with us.

Thus the “manifestation” in John 14:21 is both a spiritual indwelling and a communion. Every faithful child of God can rejoice for the spiritual presence of Jesus — his redeemer, Lord, Savior and friend.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 4, p. 101
February 20, 1986

By Robert F. Turner

“Twenty,” “Fifty,” “One hundred” years ago (often depending on the age of the speaker) “the church was pure in doctrine and life, and all brethren knew the Bible by heart.” Or, “In Campbell’s day the ideal church was restored in faith and practice.” Or even, “In the church at Jerusalem,” “In the first century, there were no hypocrites, and all brethren loved one another.” These statements can not be proven by Bible or secular history. The church in Jerusalem had members like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5: If), and Paul rebuked Peter and others for hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11f). The first century church, apostles and all, were people just like people today. Some were truth loving, dedicated, followers of Christ, whose sins were but proof of the weakness of the flesh, and who “prayed without ceasing” for forgiveness, and strength to do better. Others, the greater part in some cases, had been converted to Christ, but dedication waned in the “long haul,” and worldliness took over.

In an introduction to First Corinthians, Pulpit Commentary says this letter “entirely dissipates the dream that the apostolic Church was in an exceptional condition of holiness of life or purity of doctrine.” It is an open window into the real local church; and describes a condition that exists in principle today. The picture of an ideal congregation, as taught by the Scriptures, is largely developed from negatives. We learn what is right, by observing apostolic corrections of wrongs; and the church in Corinth was a prime source for such lessons. There were some who had a party spirit, some condoned an incestuous man; and there were brothers who went to law with brothers. Fornication was a major problem, there were marriage difficulties, meat offered to idols was an “issue,” and apparently there was need for teaching on preacher support. Worship was hampered by unruly women, misuse of the Lord’s Supper, and the abuse of spiritual gifts. And the depth of doctrinal error was reached by those who denied the resurrection.

Yet Paul addressed these people as “the church of God. . . ” “sanctified in Christ Jesus.” Did he condone their condition? Oh no! But he held forth hope for them. “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterances, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:4f). I wonder if maybe he recounted their blessings as a prelude to questioning what they had done with such advantages.

Paul says he must speak unto them as unto “carnal” (3:1). It is difficult to think of saints as carnal, for the carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom. 8:6-7). However, all who are in the flesh retain fleshly appetites, and are carnal to the extent fleshly desires are allowed to overrule the better inclinations of the heart (spirit). Paul said he himself was “carnal” when he did what he would not: i.e., acted contrary to principles he fully approved (Rom. 7:14f). That was why he was so thankful for the mercies in Christ (7:24f). Paul called the Corinthians “babes in Christ,” indicating they were not without hope. Their hope was, of course, in changing their ways and turning to Christ for forgiveness. They were brethren in error, or carnal ones who needed to develop spiritually; and that is exactly what we find in local churches today. Brethren may pray, “We do what we should not, and leave undone what we should do,” and they can point to Corinth for precedent – but not for justification.

On the first reading of 1 Corinthians it seems a disjointed series of poorly related subjects, with no central theme. But read it again, and again, and you may discern a common note in Paul’s reply to these diverse matters. The party spirit is countered with the oneness and preeminence of Christ (1:13). Paul and Apollos are but ministers by whom they believed, but God gave the increase (3:6). “Let no man glory in men. . . ye are Christ’s” (3:21f). The incestuous man, so flagrant a sinner as to warrant no indecision, was to be disclaimed “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:4). “Christ our Passover” can countenance no such leaven (5:7). Going to law with a brother is scorned with, “Do you know that the saints shall judge the world?” (6:2) Whatever that means, it argues “from the grand and celestial to earthly commonplace. ” Christian nobility is compromised in civil wrangling.

Fornication was evidently a persistent evil, which Paul answers by saying “ye were bought with a price” (the cross), and your very body belongs to Him (6:15f). Those with problems of marriage and/or celibacy are told, think not selfishly, but of saving your mate’s soul (7:16). In whatever state you are called, let your chief concern be to “abide with God” (7:24). And, there is more to life than marriage, sorrow, joy, worldly possessions. This world will pass -think of pleasing the Lord (7:29f). On the “issue” of meats offered to idols, “to us there is but one God . . . and one Lord” (8:6); but freedom must be tempered by concern for the weak. Christ died for them also (8:9f). Preacher support is affirmed, but on a basis of humble dedication to the Lord (9:14-23).

Public worship of the Corinthians was disturbed and corrupted by unruly women (with their disregard for propriety in dress and speaking); so Paul calls for a recognition in every way, of God as the ultimate “head” (11:3; 12:33,40). Misuse of the Lord’s Supper boils down to a selfish, ungodly attitude versus spiritual communion with the Lord and remembrance of Him (11:24f). Abuse of spiritual gifts came from pride in unearned gifts of God, who set members in the body “as it pleased Him” (12:18). Those parts which seem to be feeble are necessary (v. 22); and, “there should be no schism in the body” (v. 25), for “Ye are the body of Christ” (v. 27). Then comes that marvelous panegyric on “love” (1 Cor. 13). Love “envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” Without this selfless, sacrificing love, all the gifts are nothing. Faith to remove mountains is nothing, apart from this love.

As it is apparent these admonitions were especially needed in Corinth, we are not surprised to see degeneration there respecting the very basic doctrine of resurrection. Paul’s answer is, again, the word of the Cross. “If Christ be not risen” all else is vain. Our victory is in the resurrected Lord, and in Him alone (15:14,57). Reviewing these different and sometimes seemingly unrelated problems, we are struck with the uniformity of their solution: Divine sacrificing love for the souls of men, which manifested itself upon the cross; and which we must truly believe, seek to imbibe, and to practice. It must have been as hard to “sell” in those days as it is today; and yet, it is the world’s only hope. The problems themselves are not as unrelated as a casual reading would lead one to think. 1 Corinthians is “the epistle of the cross in its social application,” or simply, the cross in our everyday life.

There are Corinthian churches today, where members are more concerned with material things and self-serving goals than in going to Heaven. The “cross” is “foolishness” to their ears, even though they may not openly admit it. We can only hope that those who see the problems may maintain the loving concern and inspired remedy of the Apostle Paul. Shunning placebos of excellent speech and worldly wisdom, we pray “Christ crucified” will be presented by humble servants, content to see God’s power do its work. Be not deceived. Our victory is in Christ, or there is no victory.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 4, pp. 103, 109
February 20, 1986

By Fred A. Shewmaker

A card from College Press Publishing Company, addressed to the church with which I work, offered a free copy of The Stone-Campbell Movement. The only stipulation was: “. . . If you desire a copy and will plan to read it within six months, then sign your name on the card and deposit in the mail.” I signed the card, dropped it in the mail and about six weeks ago received a copy of the book. When I finished reading it, I began searching for a word descriptive of my reaction. I have settled for: “underwhelmed.”

The title of this book leads one to expect a history, but it is not history in the true meaning of that word. My reading of this book led me to the conclusion that its author, Leroy Garrett, wrote for the express purpose of convincing people that the very idea of restoration of the church described in the New Testament is inherently wrong. His premises appear to be: (1) Division is wrong. (2) Historically every restoration effort has resulted in division.

It is not my purpose to take issue with those premises. However, I do take issue with his conclusion that the restoration concept is inherently wrong. That conclusion is not sustained by the premises. This can be illustrated by the following: (1) Division is wrong. (2) The efforts of Jesus to establish the church described in the New Testament through the preaching, teaching and writing of His apostles and New Testament prophets resulted in division. (3) Conclusion: The very idea of establishing the church described in the New Testament is inherently wrong. Who can believe that? Yet, if the conclusion of this illustration is not justified, neither is the conclusion of the author of the book justified.

There is an even more serious reason for rejecting the author’s objections to the restoration principle. His book makes clear, to me, that he believes there is within the very idea of restoration something which causes division. Such a belief would be at variance with that which Paul said to the elders of the church at Ephesus, when he explained the real cause of division. Long before there was a reason to attempt restoration, Paul said to the Ephesian elders, “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:30). That is the thing which brought division of the church established by Jesus through the preaching, teaching and writing of His holy apostles and the New Testament prophets (Eph. 3:1-5). Division was not inherent within the idea of establishing the church described in the New Testament. Neither is division inherent within the idea of restoring the church described in the New Testament. In both cases division is a result of men, “speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

Whenever one believes what Paul said and states that men “speaking perverse things” is the real cause of division, that one usually will be told: “Those who differ with you are as honest and sincere as you.” Sometimes such an one is accused of judging the motives of those who differ with him. I cannot speak for others, but as for myself, who ever may accuse me of judging motives will do it at the peril of being a false accuser. It is not necessary to judge another’s motives in order to believe Paul’s statement. I am willing to leave the judging of motives to God and His Son Jesus Christ. We also need to remember that one can be altogether honest and sincere in his belief, yet, still be wrong. Honest and sincere folk may be deceived. That has happened in times past (consider Jacob’s belief that Joseph was dead) and that can still happen in our day and time.

Honesty and sincerity have not in the past, do not now and will not in the future change error into truth. It is to honest and sincere hearts which are deceived that we address our evangelistic efforts. Our efforts to edify are addressed to honest and sincere brethren. Sometimes our honest and sincere brethren may be deceived. It is because honest and sincere hearts may be deceived that in 2 Corinthians 13:5 each one of us is urged to examine ourselves, “whether (we) be in the faith. . .” If we will “love the truth, that (we) might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10) and then study the word of God carefully, it will be possible to know the difference between truth and Satan’s deceit.

It is not easy for those who speak “perverse things” to make disciples of those who know and love the truth. It is those who know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that shall experience the vengeance of the Lord (2 Thess. 1:8). The only unity of any value in religion is the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:3) and that unity is the unity of the Spirit of truth (Jn. 14:16,17; 16:13 and 17:17). It is precisely this unity for which those engaged in an authentic restoration effort must seek. If those who are trying to restore the church described in the New Testament divide, their division will be either because some abandon the quest for the unity of the Spirit of truth to “draw away disciples after them” or because, being deceived by other means, some abandon truth to follow the error which deceived them.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 4, pp. 99-100
February 20, 1986

By Sherry Burgess

Besides a red Lamborghini, there were two things I dreamed of having — an old fashioned ball dress and a date with Nando. Then, in my senior year of high school, I got them both!

Let’s start with Nando. Nando is an Italian Catholic whom I had really liked for over two years. He is so good-looking that I had never thought he would ask me for a date. Unfortunately Nando is not a Christian, so I had never really worried about not dating him. One night though, a month before school was to close, Nando asked me to go out to dinner with him. Words cannot express how surprised I was!

Now, let me describe my dream dress. I had visions of layers upon layers of pink taffeta and puffy sleeves, the kind of dress that belongs on the veranda of a southern mansion. One night, my parents returned from their yearly visit to the relatives in Alabama, and guess what they brought back! You guessed it! A real, down-home, southern, ball dress. Could anything be any better? Then it happened! The devil always seems to worm his way in when everything is going so great.

Here is what happened. I felt I was in a dream the night Nando took me out. Then he asked me to go to our senior graduation prom. Until that moment, I had already decided that I would not go to the prom, no matter what. Now here I was, not only with an invitation from the best looking guy in our class, but also with the most gorgeous dress to wear. Now came the hard part. My mind began to ask, “What is really wrong with the prom anyway? There is no command that says you cannot go to the prom.” How easy it would be if there was one! But the Lord wants Christians to do their own searching and follow Him in faith and obedience. That takes study. So, one night I sat down to see what God would have me to do, and to make a list of the pros and cons of the situation. Here were my arguments for going to the prom.

1. I will have the best dress there.

2. I will be with the best looking, most popular boy.

3. I will never again see all of the friends I have known for four years.

4. I will sit at the table and talk. I will not dance.

5. Everyone at school already knows my stand for the Lord, and they have told me they don’t want me to dance, so it will not affect my influence with them.

6. Some of the other Christians are going.

7. If going is not wrong, why should I miss the last night with my friends and probably lose Nando?

8. Everyone is going.

So far, it looked pretty good! Now it was time to make a list of arguments for not going to the prom!

1. “Come out from among them and be ye separate” (2 Cor. 6:17). “No man can serve two masters. . .”(Matt. 6:24). I can rule out this argument, because I won’t dance. This will still make me separate from the others. Yet, what is hard to admit to myself is that the devil will win a small battle by getting me there. He will work at getting me to dance once I am there.

2. Christians are to set an example that is different from the world. I know that to be a Christian, I am to let my light shine (Matt. 5:13). No matter how much I think I can do something in secret, someone will always find out.

3. If I am wrong and I go, I will not only lose my soul, but the devil will win one from God who “gave His only begotten Son” to die for me (Jn. 3:16).

4. My mother is trying to understand how I feel and has given me the pros and cons of going or not going. I am thankful for her understanding. She guides me and yet does not order me. I must think this one out myself, for the choice and responsibility are mine, even though I know which choice Mom wants me to make. Do I want to disappoint her?

5. I had never been to one single dance in my entire life. Will I relax my standards for the final dance when I have made it this far for so long?

6. For the first time I will have something in my life that I will be ashamed to tell my Grandma. Why will I feel that?

7. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:13). If the Lord comes again that night, will I want to be found at the prom?

8. If it really is wrong but I do go, after deciding it is all right, I will hear these words at the Judgment Day, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).

There you have it — these were my arguments. In all honesty, I must say that two weeks before the prom I had decided to go. The devil had helped me rationalize all of my concerns. I felt ashamed that I was going, but I was caught up in the excitement at school.

Then one Sunday morning, brother Bill Hall spoke on 1 Corinthians 3:12-17. I could see the teaching that some Christians are wood, hay, or stubble, and do not endure the fires of temptation. Some Christians, however, are gold or silver, and as the fire gets hotter, the impurities in the gold and silver burn away, making them stronger. Well, that hit me. What was I, hay or gold? I began to realize that a faith of gold is still there ages after the wood and hay have disappeared.

With a week and one-half to go, everyone at school was buzzing with excitement. Then, one night, I suddenly thought of an argument I just could not rationalize away – my sister! You see, I have a little sister who is twelve years old. She is a Christian and is really trying hard. Although the whole school might not mind if I went to the prom, and although no one else might find out, there would be one special person who would know for sure that I went – my younger sister. I imagined Melissa thinking as she entered high school, “If Sherry went to the prom, then why can’t I go to this dance too?” Suddenly, it wasn’t concern only about my own soul, but was also the possibility of causing my little sister to stumble by my actions and being finally lost. “But whoso shall offend some of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6).

It was then that the full impact of what I had first decided finally hit me. Now I was not going to go to the prom, even if Sylvester Stallone himself should ask me to go! It hurt me to tears to realize that now I had to explain it to Nando. I tried to tell him that my influence would be hurt, and that when one dances, he can cause others to lust. He did not agree with me, but he did agree to come to our gospel meeting with brother Paul Sheehan. That night, brother Sheehan talked about some of the problems facing teenagers, and among them were the dangers of dancing. He pointed out that the only way a guy could not lust after a girl when he was dancing with her was if she was the ugliest girl in the world, or if the guy was not normal. That really got to Nando and it backed up what I had said about lust.

Brother Sheehan also spoke about our influence and how it is affected by where we go. After the lesson, Nando said he was glad I was not going and that he now understood why I had made the decision. However, that did not ease the pain any the next day when he told me that he had asked another girl to go with him. When he asked me if I was hurt, I told him that I was, but that I understood how important the prom was to him. Understanding didn’t make it any easier when I cried myself to sleep that night.

The big day finally came. Everyone at school was so excited! I listened as girls described their dresses and told how they could decorate the hall. The boys discussed with whom they would ride and where to buy the cheapest corsage! They all made their final attempt to beg me to go and I tried to “plain again why I was not going.

My family decided to go on a camping trip that night, and I remember sitting by the campfire, staring into the flames and feeling so sad and alone. I wondered what my friends were doing and what fun they were having. I also thought of my beautiful pink dress, packed away in the closet at home. It was then that I finally felt, for the first time, the true separation of being a Christian, because this was something I had really wanted to do. All the other times, it wasn’t hard to make the right decision because I had never wanted to join in. This time it was hard. I felt joy, however, when I remembered that “all that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). What was my small persecution compared with all of those which Paul had suffered?

In my prayer that night, I thanked the Lord for giving me the strength to say “no” to the hardest temptation I have faced in all my life. With the Lord to guide me, I came out of this one as gold.

But, there is another happy ending as well! The day after the prom, ten of my friends asked me to go with them to a very fancy restaurant — one where Queen Elizabeth had eaten. They said if she had eaten there, then I could wear my dress there! Needless to say, I wore it and had the greatest night ever. Nando was not there. He has been dating the other girl since the prom. Still, I wasn’t sad. I finally got to wear my dress, and one out of two is not bad. Jesus always has a reward for those who do His will, although I realize it may not even be in this life.

To all of you who are facing the same decision I faced, I know exactly how you feel. Just search the Scriptures for guidance and turn to God for the answers. I will never forget the real happiness and thanksgiving I felt after choosing not to go. Though I can still remember the loneliness of that night, I can say with all assurance that if I had it to do again, I wouldn’t change a thing, except maybe taking so long to decide what is right. I’m sure all of my friends had plenty of fun that night, but now that fun is gone. The Lord will be there when everything else has long since passed away.

The prom – to go or not to go? It is a hard decision. It might seem to be all right. If you choose wrong you will have “the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25) and the devil for eternity.

I didn’t mention it in the beginning, but there is one thing I want more than a dress, a boy, or a red Lamborghini and that is a home in heaven, because nothing can come close to taking its place. “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26)

One night was hard

God held my hand,

He gave me courage

To take a stand.

It doesn’t hurt me anymore

I’m stronger than I was before.

One night was hard

I made a stand,

And now there’s left

The Promised Land.

(Editor’s Note: I enjoyed reading this article. It encouraged me while preparing it for publication. The Guardian of Truth Foundation thinks highly enough of this article that we are publishing it in tract form to encourage other teenagers to act as did sister Burgess in resisting the temptation of the prom. You may want to order copies of this tract now in order to help your young people who face the decision of whether or not to attend the prom this year.

I would like to receive similar articles from others of our readers. These can be published under the heading of “Victories Of Faith.” Perhaps you know of someone who has gone through a similar battle [not necessarily the temptation to attend a dance] to that of sister Sherry Burgess. Take the time to tell his story and share it with the rest of us. We are inspired from contemporary examples of faithfulness even as we are inspired from the examples of Joseph, Daniel, Paul, and others. I look forward to receiving and publishing such articles from our readers.)

Guardian of Truth XXX: 4, pp. 97, 120
February 20, 1986