Truth Magazine

By Jimmy Tuten

This treatise is an attempt to alert brethren to the dangers and doctrinal perversions associated with a segment of the “Total Commitment” philosophy known as “Quiet Time.” Various brotherhood journals have dealt with problems of the Crossroads approach to personal evangelism, campus ministries, and edification. So brethren are aware of the fact that the principles of it have come from such publications as The Master Plan of Evangelism, Jay Adams’ Competent To Counsel and The Christian Counselor’s Manual, all of which are Calvinistic in nature. The “Total Commitment” evangelistic movement is a method of securing devotion from members of the church in approaches likened to that used by various cults (Unification Church and Hare Krishna, for example). A number of people have been caught up in the emotionalism of false spirituality even to the point of alienation from families and broken marriages. Congregations have been splintered over this doctrine. The system perverts the biblical concept of “Jesus is Lord.” It espouses a neglect of all duties of the Christian except that of “a prayerful life” (i.e. “Quiet Time”). It uses coercion instead of persuasion to gain converts. It is a commitment to a man-made system of doctrine rather than to Christ.

Closely involved with this man-made system is the idea of perfectionism, sometimes called the “gospel of perfectionism,” because the gospel has in fact been replaced by a gospel of a changed life. This perfectionism is a power growth concept involving a “Quiet Time.” The basis for it is the theology of the charismatic movement of Wesleyanism. The fact, the doctrinal basis and outlook of the “Quiet Time” segment of the “total commitment” movement itself is Wesleyanism. It is a fact that while some conservative churches have not been directly affected by the general movement of “total commitment,” they have, in some instances, been infiltrated and disrupted by the “Quiet Time” concept. Too, there is some acceptance of “Quiet Time” in varying forms. Through these pages (August 5, 1982, p. 462) 1 asked the question three years ago: “Will Crossroadism work its ugly tentacles into conservative churches and wreck the structures that are already fragmented?” Three years later I can answer with a resounding, “Yes!” Through the “Quiet Time” it is working its way into our ranks. Hence, the need for this treatise.

History of The “Quiet Time” Concept(1)

“Quiet Time” has its roots in the “spiritual earnestness movement” of John and Charles Wesley, who in turn were influenced by the Moravian sect founded in 1722 by John Huss. The movement was in response to the spiritual lethargy of the people of England and was designed to offset the prudence and cold logic of the day. A “Holy Club” was formed (later called “Methodism”) for the purpose of reading helpful books and having frequent communion. This club was broken down into “bands” or groups of twelve each for mutual cultivation (prayer groups and soul talks are part of the “total commitment” movement and find their roots in the preceding). Each group had a class leader (prayer partner) who would monitor progress. Members of this “Holy Club” were censorious as to the genuineness of religious experiences that did not conform to their own. They were self-seeking. They looked for instantaneous, joyful experiences and they showed remarkable exhibitions of bodily excitement (people torn by convulsions, fainting, etc.).

John Wesley’s emphasis fell upon what he called “entire sanctification,” or “Christian perfectionism” (second work of grace). His teaching efforts zeroed in on perfectionism and he taught his followers to center their aspirations on this point. He took the emphasis away from what happens when you initially become a Christian in obedience to the gospel (Rom. 1: 16-17; 6:1-6; Mk. 16:16). He made a distinction between “justification” and “sanctification.” In the former there was the essence of being a Christian and sometime later one became a real Christian (sanctified at this point). According to Wesley, one is justified at one point and sanctified later, though the apostle Paul says that both take place at the same time when one is washed (1 Cor. 6:9-11). To Wesley, sanctification meant that one reached the point of is complete devotion to the Lord, absolute surrender and total commitment. The “total commitment” concept simply substitutes “discipleship” in the place of “sanctification.” Just as Wesley emphasized the second work of grace, so with “total commitment” a true disciple is one who has come to the point of really serving Jesus and of being fully committed, we are told. The “Quiet Time” (private time) is the beginning of this “power growth” and along with “Soul Talks” (called “Life Talks” and “Discipleship meetings” at one time or another) is the most important vehicle for this new life concept.

In time the concept has worked its way into Pentecostal books such as Larry Christenson’s Speaking In Tongues. It is here that you find the basis for “Quiet Time.” In addition to this unscriptural, Apostolic Pentecostal publication, the Moody Monthly with its Manna In The Morning is used by the Crossroads brethren. The Campus Advance Strategy Manual, dated September 15, 1967 (page 3, item B.2) commands the “Daily Quiet Time.” It is patterned exactly like that of Lary Christenson’s “How to Have A Daily Quiet Time with God” (p. 136, Appendix). The “Daily Quiet Time” is completely Pentecostal. But, how did this Pentecostal “Quiet Time” work its way into Churches of Christ?

In 1967, during the height of the glossolalia movement among Churches of Christ (see my The Holy Spirit. His Person And Work), there was a movement that got underway among brethren known as Campus Advance. This movement used such key, Pentecostal prone men as Pat Boone and Wesley Reagan (Mission Magazine, Sept. 15 and Oct. 19, 1970) as key speakers. Knowing where these men now are helps one understand the movement’s thrust. Because it was tied closely to the local church, it died by 1970. The movement was therefore aborted and Dudley Link, writing in Mission Magazine (Oct. 19, 1970) said it needed rethinking if it was to be the intended movement within a movement, with its own doctrine, designs and organization. The result was a new strategy involving the use of pilot churches. The old 14th Street Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida (now Crossroads) became the pilot church. Hence, Crossroads is the child and the neo-Pentecostal Campus Advance movement (1967-1970) was the father of the Crossroads philosophy. In a tape that I have in my file, Chuck Lucas said, “The materials used in Crossroads were begun in 1968” (May 24, 1981). There is, therefore, no doubt about the origin of the movement.

In the Campus Advance Strategy Manual the statement was made that a vanguard of students would be developed (Appendix 111). The objective was to teach young people how to live moment by moment in a “victorious abundant, adventurous relationship with Jesus Christ. . . given over to a ministry. . . of effectively, aggressively evangelizing the campus. . . . ” These men were called “Vanguards,” then “Front Line Soldiers” and finally “The Gladiators” when it was found to be a problem on campus at the University of Florida.

The power growth concept, of which “Quiet Times” is an intricate part, is taught in the Master Plan of Evangelism, beginning on page 69. “Power growth” simply means that as one grows in the System, spirituality increases proportionately. This growth begins with the “Quiet Time.” In the instructions for “Quiet Time,” taken from Manna In The Morning and used by Crossroads (they later came out with their own, Your First Forty Days) it is asserted: “as you obey, so He reveals. When you cease to obey, He ceases to reveal.” The power growth concept of “Quiet Times” is the practice of looking for additional revelations beyond the Word of God. We will now address ourselves more specifically to the subject.

What Is The “Quiet Time”?

Before discussing this, let it be said that no one objects to setting aside a period of time each day for the purpose of meditating on the word of God and for prayer. The Bible teaches the need for study and prayer (1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Thess. 5:17). However, when a system of man-made rules are set up for such efforts and these rules become the standard for the measurement of spirituality, you have a system of manmade doctrine and not that which is of faith (Col. 2:8-10, 16). This violates Jude 3. For example, it is said, “the quiet time is vital for spiritual cleansing. You are initially cleansed by the precious blood, that is true, and again and again you have to come back to the quiet time” Manna In The Morning). After arguing for the essentiality of “Quiet Time” for spiritual growth, it is then stressed that “What You Need for and Effective Quiet Time” is (1) a definite place, (2) a good sized, easily read Bible, (3) a prayer list or prayer cycle, (4) a personal notebook and (5) a spirit of expectancy. A booklet, “Quiet Time” (an inter-Varsity guide book) says that “Quiet Time” is the “secret of a successful Christian life” (back cover). But the question rises, What if I cannot find a definite place for study and prayer? Am I less spiritual than those who do? What if I cannot meet each day at 6:00 a.m. for private time? Am I minding the things of the Spirit less than those who do? The point is, that spirituality is not confined to a small area of life, nor is it to be defined as religious activity. It is the whole range of life: in the home, on the job, at play, in government, etc.

Defining “Quiet Time” is difficult, but it is best defined as a system of ultimate salvation by works and a begging through prayer for additional, apart-from-the Word inspiration and revelation as the only way to achieve perfection (power growth) and spirituality. Like the issue of circumcision in Acts 15 it imposes something not bound by God. It is a concept that espouses the idea that just as the Holy Spirit convicts and converts separate and apart from the Word (this is a false doctrine of Calvinism), so in sanctification (discipleship) the Holy Spirit illuminates apart from the Word (this is Calvinism also). The fact is this: the Holy Spirit does nothing to the Christian that He does not do through the Word (see my notes, The Holy Spirit. His Person And Work, chapter 6).

What Is Unscriptural About Quiet Time?

(1) It Negates The All-sufficiency of Scripture. It is essential that one understand that belief in the completeness and all-sufficiency of Scripture, and that the Holy Spirit operates on the heart of the Christian through the all-sufficient Word are bound inextricably together (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). If the Spirit gives additional revelation, or inspiration, or illumination then the Word of God is not complete. The logical consequence of “Quiet Time” is that the Word is not complete and all-sufficient and new revelations are needed for growth.

Please note:

(a) Quotes from Manna In The Morning. The “spirit of expectancy” is “not the Bible memorized, nor the Bible on your bookshelf or in your study. It is the Word that God speaks to your soul in the quiet place of prayer and meditation. . . . You can be doctrinally correct, and yet be spiritually dead. The thing that maintains life is the living word of God which is spoken to your soul every day,” etc.

(b) Quotes from Quiet Time (Inter Varsity Guidebook): “Your object in the Quiet Time is not so much to gather information as to gain inspiration.” “The Holy Spirit reveals the deeper things only to those who are at leisure to receive from him the secrets of the Scriptures.” “Don’t do all the talking. There should be stillness and expectancy.” “This is the story of a living faith planted in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.” If we will expose all our soul to the Holy Spirit, we shall have many a thrilling surprise.” “A notebook should be used in which to write thoughts which the Holy Spirit may give you as you read and pursue your mornings portion, ” etc.

(c) The following is a summary: “Hush yourself in His presence. Wait until the glory of His presence seems to come upon you . . . Seek cleansing. Seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit . . . Say: ‘Lord, as I look at this passage this morning, is there any command to obey?. . . Is there any new thought to follow?’. . . Lord Jesus, as I face this day, I ask thee by the power of thine indwelling Spirit (personal, direct, apart from the Word indwelling, jt) to give me the grace to translate into action what thou hast told me to do this morning” (Manna In The Morning). In the Campus Advance Strategy Manual there is a section on “Terminology” and under “Christ’s Glory In Our Lives” they say, ” – – it is a glorious experience so that we can be seen to possess something different from the Word” (p. 11).

(2) It Creates A False Sense of Pride In Spiritual Attainment. Because the Bible is put into a sense of revelation and growth in proportion to obedience and involvement with others, one naturally tends to conclude that the more active you are, the more spiritual you become. The more spiritual you are (according to the movement), the more you look to your attainment as a superior way of spiritual life. From here on out the gospel is looked upon as not being sufficient to motivate people and this false sense of spirituality becomes the gospel of a changed life. This, rather than the gospel of Christ, becomes the power to get people involved and busy. When this force is applied it is connected with fear and guilt (psychologically speaking). Fear of God’s displeasure, fear that He does not love us and fear of our own inadequacies finally lead us to conclude that we are not Christians after all. Things that the movement have imposed are placed upon us and we lose sight of real spirituality as taught in the Bible. The movement now says, in fearful pride of super spirituality, “grow like us, or you are dead in the sight of God.” This is conversion by condemnation! Churches that are not “evangelistic” (Crossroads style) are without power, we are told (i.e., spiritually dead). Please note that this violates a number of passages on judging, etc., but more specifically, the fact that:

(a) The gospel is the power to save and not a changed life (Rom. 1:16-17).

(b) Spirituality is not activity in one field, but in the whole of one’s life (Col. 3:18; 3:19; 3:20; 3:22-25, etc.).

(c) Scriptural motivation is the sufficient fact that the Christian has died to sin and has been raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 3:1-4). Being richly filled with the Word of Christ, we obey Him in every walk of life. Paul said, “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God through Him” (Col. 3:17).

(d) The fruit that we are to bear (Jn. 15:1-6) is not confined to the narrow sense of winning souls, i.e., producing other Christians. Fruit bearing, according to the context, is obeying God’s commands, all of them (Jn. 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10). This is broad, indeed!

(e) Christian perfection is not the “entire sanctification” of Neo-Pentecostalism. It is the growth from being a babe in Christ to maturity (1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:11-14). The biblical perfection is not sinlessness, for we all sin (1 Jn. 1:8).

(3) It Destroys The Biblical Fact That The Gospel Changes Lives. The “Quiet Time” concept makes the changed life the gospel. We are told that “the Christian life does not consist in trying to keep our souls fit, but in being so fit that we are ready for the maximum accomplishment” (Quiet Time, p. 9). Again “make perfectly clear to yourself. . . that you cannot convey to others divine grace if you yourself have a neglected spiritual condition. . . you cannot lead anyone higher than you yourself have gone; you cannot enrich anyone beyond your own actual experience with God. . .” (p. 10-11).

The changed life is a fruit of the gospel and not the gospel itself no more than helping others in the gospel (Jas. 1:27). Would you make benevolence the gospel? No, because the gospel is the standard of measurement for spirituality and not spirituality as a measurement (Tit. 1:13; 1 Cor. 9:27). For example, after admonishing Titus to speak sound doctrine, Paul tells him to put the brethren in mind to be ready to every good work (Tit. 2:15; 3:1). Good works is a fruit of obedience to the gospel. The good work is not the gospel, but the effect of it in our lives.

(4) It Damns One To Hell. Any who abide not in the doctrine are without God (2 Jn. 9), they are not perfect (complete, 2 Tim. 3:16-17), and they are without the gift of grace (Eph. 3:3-7). In failing to make their calling and election sure, they have fallen from grace (2 Pet. 1:5-11). The book of Revelation speaks of the fact that without the holy city will be those who maketh a lie (Rev. 22:15). False doctrine is a lie. False teachers will be cast into hell (Rev. 21:8). the “Quiet Time” is a false system of teaching that damns souls.

Conclusion

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived. . . but after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. . . This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Tit. 3:3-8). “Quiet Time” is not a “good work” because it is not taught in the Bible!

(Next installment: “What is Spirituality?”)

Endnote

1. One should study carefully: Christianity Through The Ages, by Cairns; History of The Christian Church, by Walker; History of 77se Christian Church, by Fischer; The Eternal Kingdom, by Mattox, etc. in the section “Wesleyanism.”

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 24, pp. 748-750
December 19, 1985

By Bill Cavender

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and word of Jehovah from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:2-3).

“And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed. nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44).

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. . . . And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered. for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant whom the Lord shall call” (Joel 2:26-32).

These three prophecies in Isaiah, Daniel and Joel find their fulfillment in Acts 2:1-47. Isaiah said that God’s kingdom on earth would begin in the last days; that all nations would flow into it; and the law, the word of Jehovah, would go forth from Jerusalem. Daniel said that God’s kingdom would begin in the days of the Roman kings (“those kings'”) that it would never be destroyed; it would have an unchangeable sovereignty (rulership); it would stand while the kingdoms of the world rise and fall; and it would stand forever. Joel said that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh (both Jews and Gentiles), and whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord would be saved.

Jesus, our Savior, was born in the days of Augustus Caesar (Luke 2: 1). He was baptized by John the immerser and began His public ministry in the days of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1, 21-22). Thus it was in the days of the Roman kings that John the baptizer and Jesus the Saviour both announced the fulfillment of the prophesies and the coming God’s kingdom. John preached, saying, “Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. . . . The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Matt. 4:17; Mark 1: 14-15). Jesus told the multitudes that “there are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9: 1). If the kingdom of God did not begin in the life times of those people, then Jesus either was mistaken or told a falsehood. If He told the truth, speaking God’s word to the people, then the kingdom of God either has already come as Jesus said, or some of those people are still living on earth! Jesus told Peter that he (Peter) would be given “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:18-19) and that he, in his lifetime, would bind and loose whatsoever had been bound and loosed in heaven. Those converted would become citizens of the kingdom (Matt. 18:3). Those who would be born again, born of water and of the Spirit, would enter into the kingdom (John 3:3-5; 1 Pet. 1:22-25).

Jesus instructed His apostles to “tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, unto ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Before His ascension to the right hand of the Father, He told them not to depart from Jerusalem, that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence; they would receive power after the Holy Spirit came upon them; and then they would be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Luke 24:46-49; John 15:26-27; Acts 1:4-8; Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20).

The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles as Jesus had promised them, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14). They preached Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Lord, beginning that day, in Jerusalem (Acts 2:22-40). The word of Jehovah, His law and testimony, went forth from the apostles as they spoke by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 16-21, 33). Peter used “the keys of the kingdom” that day, telling men and women who heard and believed the gospel what they must do to be saved from their past sins (Acts 2:37-41). Peter, an inspired apostle, declared on that day and occasion that the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the preaching of the gospel fulfilled Joel 2:28-32 (Acts 2:16-21). About three thousand people believed the good news of the gospel of Christ, repented of their sins, and were immersed for the remission of sins (Acts 2:37-41). They were born again of water and of the Spirit, saved, converted, and entered into the kingdom of God, which is not of this world politically, militarily, or economically (John 18:36-38; 3:3-5; Matt. 18:3; 1 Pet. 1:22-25).

The kingdom of God of which the prophets spoke began in the world that day in reality, in its completeness, perfection and fulfillment. It began in the city of Jerusalem, in the last days, when the word of the Lord went forth, as Isaiah said (2:2-3). It was in the days of the Roman kings, as Daniel had said (2:44). It was when the Spirit was poured out, as Joel said (2:28-32). God “hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son” (Heb. 1:1-2). The “last days” began when Jesus came and will end when He comes again “at the last day” (Acts 2:17; 1 Pet. 1:20; 2 Pet. 3:3; 1 Jn. 2:18; Jude 18; Jn. 6:39-40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48; 1 Cor. 15:24-28, 52). The kingdom is the kingdom of God and Christ (Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:13-14).

Jesus is now, at the present, the “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (John 18:33-38; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 15:3; 17:14; 19:16). He is at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:13; Eph. 1:19-23; 1 Pet. 3:21-22). He is on David’s throne (Acts 2:29-32). He is now an anointed and crowned King, with a scepter of power and a throne of authority, which is forever and ever (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:19-23; Heb. 1: 8-9).

The kingdom of God and Christ has existed in the world for over nineteen hundred and fifty years. All honest-hearted, God-fearing people in all the world who have heard the word of the truth of the gospel of God revealed through Jesus and His apostles, who believe in Jesus as God’s only begotten Son who is our Savior, who genuinely and truly repented of their sins, and are sincerely immersed for the remission of their sins, enter into the kingdom of God and Christ, the kingdom of heaven (John 3:3-5; Col. 1:13; Acts 2:37-41, 47). They are the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). They are “heirs of the kingdom” (James 2:5; Gal. 3:26-29; 4:1-4). They will be saved eternally in heaven if they will maintain the hope of faith steadfastly unto the end (2 Pet. 1:5-11; Heb. 3:6; 10:39). Heaven is the hope and home of the citizen of the kingdom of God and Christ who serves the Lord from an obedient, true heart of faith (Heb. 5:8-9; 10:19-25; Col. 1:5; Rom. 8:24-25; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 24, pp. 746, 751
December 19, 1985

By Tommy L. McClure

Does the word of God contain all we need relative to our spiritual well-being and religious guidance, or must we look to some other source? Is it complete or incomplete? Many religious people, by their acceptance of and adherence to human rules of faith in the form of manuals, disciplines, and catechisms, show a disbelief in the completeness of God’s word. Considering their denominational affiliations and their zeal to enlarge the membership of their respective denominations, the reason for their position is easily seen. Consider: A Baptist preacher cannot take the Bible and the Bible only and make a Baptist Church member with it to save his life! He will use a lot of Baptist Manual mixed with a small grain of Scripture (usually taken out of context) to accomplish his purpose. The Baptist Church, as a distinctive body, is nowhere mentioned in the word of God; the term “Baptist” was not worn as a religious name in Bible times; distinctive Baptist doctrine is contradicted at every turn in the New Testament; and the terms for entering the Baptist Church are not therein contained! There is no evidence that any inspired man ever wrote of it, spoke of it, encouraged anyone to enter it, or even heard of it! Now, can you not see why they use a rule-book other than the word of God? What is said of the Baptists can be said of every other church which subscribes to human rules of faith manuals or latter-day revelations!

This lesson is designed to show: (1) if the word of God is not complete it is not true; (2) if it is true it is complete; and (3) if it is complete we need no other guide-book and no latter-day revelation!

The Lord’s Promise To His Apostles To His apostles, Jesus said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (Jn. 14:26). Again, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (Jn. 16:13). The Holy Spirit was to: (1) teach them all things, (2) bring to their remembrance all things Jesus had told them, and (3) He was to guide them into all truth! Not much truth, most all truth, but all truth! Did the Holy Spirit do for the apostles what Jesus said He would do? Or, did Jesus make a false promise? Answer that question and the matter of completeness is settled!

The apostles, guided into all truth, delivered what they received (1 Cor. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. 1:11,12), spoke what the Spirit revealed in the words the Spirit gave (1 Cor. 2:6-13; Matt. 10: 18-20), and wrote the commandments of the Lord (I Cor. 14:37; 1 Jn. 2:7,8; 3:23; 4:21; 2 Jn. 4-6; 1 Cor. 16:1, et al.,) and what they had seen and heard (1 Jn. 1:3,4) in the New Testament of which they were made able ministers (2 Cor. 3:6). If we must depend on latter-day revelations or human rule-books for any truth we need, the Lord’s promise to His apostles was false! God forbid!

God’s Word Contains All That Pertains Unto Life And Godliness

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue; Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: by that these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1:3,4). Note that His divine power hath given (not will give) unto us all things (not some things) that pertain unto life and godliness (not social acceptance and worldly entertainment)! How and where are “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” given? Answer: “through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue”! Where is that knowledge contained? Answer: in the word of God (Eph. 3:3-5). When the Ephesians read what Paul wrote they could understand what Paul knew about the “mystery of Christ” which in ages past was not made known but was then revealed unto the apostles and prophets by the Spirit! In the writings of those apostles and prophets, Spirit guided men, “the knowledge of him ” is contained, by and through which all things pertaining to life and godliness are given. Admit that Peter told the truth, and you admit the completeness of the word of God; deny its completeness, and you deny Peter’s statement! Take your choice – and, its consequences!

Any religious doctrine or practice not contained in the word of God, not therein authorized either by specific or general authority, does not pertain to life and godliness! The fact that millions may think “it must be the will of the Lord because it seems so right to me” matters not – God does not think like they do and vice versa (Isa. 55:8,9; Psa. 50:21). Reader, if you are interested in “life” and “godliness, ” turn to God’s word; it contains all things that pertain thereto! It is complete!

The Scriptures Thoroughly Furnish Unto All Good Works

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16,17). What else, I ask, does one need in order to conduct his life so as to be pleasing to God? Either the word of God is complete — will thoroughly furnish unto all good works – or it is incomplete and, therefore, false! I will stay with Jesus who said to the Father, “Thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:16).

Note the following list (not exhaustive by any means) of spiritual needs of man supplied by the word of God: (1) Faith (Rom. 10: 17); (2) Light (Psa. 119:105,130; 2 Cor. 4:3,4); (3) Cleansing (Jn. 15:3; 1 Pet. 1:22); (4) Salvation (Acts 11:13,14; 13:26; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1,2; Eph. 1:13; 2 Tim. 3:15; Jas. 1:21); (5) Strength (Acts 20:32); (6) Growth (I Pet. 2:1,2); (7) Understanding (Psa. 119:130); (8) Wisdom (2 Tim. 3:15; Psa. 119:98); (9) A reliable standard (Tit. 1:2; Rev. 21:5,6; Matt. 24:35); (10) Deterrent to sin (Psa. 119:11); (11) Joy (Psa. 19:8; 119:14; 1 Jn. 1:4); (12) New birth (1 Pet. 1:23); (13) Sanctification (Jn. 17:17); (14) An inheritance (Acts 20:32); (15) Life (Psa. 119:50; Phil. 2:16); (16) Begetting (Jas. 1:18); (17) Conversion (Psa. 19:7); (18) Spiritual weapon (Eph. 6:16; Heb. 4:12); (19) Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19); (20) Freedom from sin (Rom. 6:17,18); (21) Purity (Psa. 12:6; 119:140; Prov. 30:5)! The list could be multiplied a hundred-fold! I challenge any man to produce one spiritual need of man which the Bible does not supply! The challenge will not, and cannot, be met! The word of God is complete!

The Word Of God Constitutes The Perfect Law Of Liberty

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (Jas. 1:25). What is the “perfect law of liberty”? It is not the law of Moses – Peter called it a “yoke” (Acts 15: 10); Paul referred to it as a “yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1)! It surely cannot be law set up by man (Jer. 10:23; 17:9; Prov. 14:12; 1 Cor. 1:21)! The perfect law of liberty is the New Testament, the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” by which Paul said he was made free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2). The word “perfect” fteleios) “signifies having reached its end. . . , finished, complete, perfect” (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of N. T. Words, Vol. III, pp. 173, 174). Since the New Testament is perfect it is complete; it needs no additions from men, nor will subtractions be allowed! The wrath of God is expressed against all who do so (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18,19; 1 Cor. 4:6)!

The Faith Has Been Once For All Delivered

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Note the faith was once delivered!

“The faith” is the body of teaching given by the Lord and contained in the New Testament – the gospel (Gal. 1:22,23)! “Once” is from the Greek word hapax and means “once for all, of what is of perpetual validity, not requiring repetition” (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of N. T. Words, Vol. III, p. 137). The word is rendered “once for all” (ASV, RSV, Phillips Modern English, NASV, Chas. B. Williams Translation, Moffat, and Goodspeed); it is rendered “once and for all” (NEB); and, surprising as it may be, it is rendered “once for all time” (NWT, the perversion by the Watch Tower Society).

The fact that the faith was once for all delivered to the saints shows its completeness, and the futility of expecting present-day revelations of additional truth. The same word (hapax) was used by the Hebrew writer to describe the offering of Christ. Note carefully the argument: (1) The faith was once (hapax) delivered (Jude 3); (2) Christ was once offered (Heb. 9:28); (3) Therefore, we may as well deny the sufficiency of the offering as to deny the sufficiency of the faith, and, if we can’t depend on the faith as being sufficient, we can’t depend on the offering as being sufficient! See? This false doctrine of a need for latter-day revelations and additional guidebooks, when driven to its logical end, would destroy the very offering made by Jesus Christ for the sins of men! Treat it softly? Handle it easily? Not on your life!

Do We Stand Alone On The Completeness Issue?

Note some quotations from human manuals and disciplines – as contradictory as they are to the practice of the respective denominations!

(1) “Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation. The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation . . . … Then the Holy Scriptures are defined as “those canonical books of the Old and New Testament” which have never been in doubt and the books as contained in the KJV, ASV, etc., are listed (Methodist Discipline, pp. 26, 27). If the Methodists believe their statement why do they have their discipline? That question is for them to grapple with, not me!

(2) “The Scriptures. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried” (Baptist Manual, Edward T. Hiscox, p. 58). If Baptists really believe their statement, why don’t they discard Hiscox’s manual – along with Pendleton’s and McConnell’s which contain the same statement? That is a question for Baptists to struggle with, not me!

(3) “Of The Holy Scripture. VI. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of men. . . ” (Presbyterian Confession of Faith, p. 13). In the rest of the section, their belief in a direct operation of the Holy Spirit as “necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word” is expressed; but, the statement quoted certainly expresses the idea that the word of God is sufficient, complete! If they truly believe their statement, why do they cling to their Confession of Faith? That is a problem for the Presbyterians to solve, not me!

Conclusion

The “bottom line” of the matter is: There is nothing in the spiritual realm which we need to know, believe, do or teach which the Bible does not reveal! Real preachers never want for something to preach, for they have the word (2 Tim. 4:2) which contains all truth (Jn. 16:13), all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1: 3), which will throughly furnish unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16,17), which constitutes the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25), and is the faith once for all delivered (Jude 3). What a storehouse of preaching the Bible is! Book, chapter, and verse preaching is the crying need of the hour. As Ezra of old, let us: (1) prepare our hearts, (2) to seek the law of the Lord, (3) and to do it, (4) and to teach the statutes of God (Ezra 7:10), for those statutes are right (Psa. 19:8)!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 24, pp. 744-745, 763
December 19, 1985

By Donald Willis

How refreshingly do we sing, “Oh victory in Jesus. . – . ” Speaking of the difficulties in overcoming the weaknesses of the flesh, Paul queried, “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:24-25). And announcing the defeat of death, Paul declares, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). God “. . . always causeth us to triumph in Christ. . .”(2 Cor. 2:14).

Everyone desires the victory in Jesus, but almost no one desires to die in order to obtain it. Yet, flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

It is truly a wonderful day when one of God’s saints is able to cross over the river of death to be in the presence of God. Sorrow in the hearts of those left behind, yes; but certainly not as those who have no hope.

This past month, two of my aged family have departed this earthly life to the better abode prepared by Jesus. And while this is being experienced by individuals all over the nation, many of my immediate family have been involved somewhat with the former Truth Magazine, and now with the Guardian of Truth.

My maternal grandfather, Jodie Harrott, was buried December 17 at the old family cemetery, Sumpter, in Trinity County, Texas. When we Willis children were little, we only knew him as “Jodie.” My mother’s father had died with pneumonia when Mom was only two years old. Some of the later children affectionately called him “pop,” but he was always “Jodie” to us.

We accepted him as our beloved grandfather. . . however, few of us realized the great service that he had rendered. Possibly we could understand the challenge of a inexperienced man marrying a young widow with four children. That’s what he did! And he did a good work with those children.

My earliest introduction to Jesus and the church was by my grandfather. He was a farmer in Sylvester. . . but he preached every Sunday in the school building where the church met. He taught us Scripture memorization and recitation. Jodie and my grandmother were very instrumental in the lives of us Willis boys, and there were four of us who devoted our lives in the public proclamation of truth.

Jodie was 89 years old when he died. He left behind 16 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren, 43 great great grandchildren, and one great great great grandchild. There were over 100 Christians in the immediate family, plus spouses and friends led to the Lord by his influence. Truly, instead of a time of utmost sorrow, his death and funeral service was a time for rejoicing.

Cecil and I joined together to say the public words at the service but truly “his works do follow after him. ” And I am confident that he would say, “To God be the glory.”

And I must also mention my saintly uncle, Jim Money, who was buried but a few days before. Uncle Jim was one of the finest gentlemen that one would desire to meet. He served the country during World War I. I never knew a time when he was not a faithful Christian. Too, I never heard him say an improper word. Many weeks were spent in his home by all of us in the family. We will miss them. But, we will see them again!

Two verses stick in my mind: “Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints,” and “Blessed are the death that die in the Lord.

Pardon these personal remembrances, but a great day is passing in the history of the kingdom as these aged soldiers of the cross have passed. You see, my grandchildren will be fifth-generation Christians. And I am proud of the heritage that has gone before.

Rejoice with me: “Oh victory in Jesus!”

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 24, p. 747
December 19, 1985