Truth Magazine

By Bill Cavender

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. . . . And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (Acts 8:4; 2 Tim. 2:2).

Herein lies the prescription for evangelizing the lost world, the saving of sinful souls, the spreading abroad “of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9). By the means of personal contact and effort, by one person teaching another person, by the impact of one personality upon another personality, by each Christian teaching another fellow human being the gospel of our Lord Jesus, did “the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world… which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven,” permeate the first century world (Col. 1:5-6, 23; Rom. 10:18). This is still the only way, the only means and method by which the twentieth century world will hear the truth and some be brought to salvation in Jesus Christ and in His kingdom (John 3:1-8; Col. 1:13-14).

We live in a period of time in the world’s history and in the church of our Lord in the U.S.A. in which Madison Avenue advertising techniques, saturation mailings, promotional and begging campaigns, youth rallies and retreats, hamburgers and hotdogs and eating and drinking, high-powered and well-known brethren endorsements, large and powerful church(es) and eldership(s) planning and overseeing, are constantly and continually bombarding us with propaganda, telling us what great works and things are being done in the name of Christ and to the glory of God – and what greater and more marvelous works can be done if we will only supply the money and have faith in the projects, plans, talents and wisdom of men!

The world is going to hell around us, as the old south and the confederacy made its last stand and struggles around burning Atlanta. It is estimated in the next quarter to half century (if God lets the world continue), that there will be about eight billion souls – lost souls – on the planet called “earth,” almost double the present population. Yet God’s people diminish in numbers and in proportion. “Conservative,” “faithful” churches are not growing in numbers and in spirituality. “Liberal,” “digressive” churches are not growing in numbers and in spirituality. Many of them, with their elders and preachers, are holding meetings with and having affinity with denominational churches (so-called “Disciples of Christ,” or “Christian Churches” or “Churches of Christ” which use instrumental music).

The techniques and talents of brethren, their human wisdom and ways, their plans and promotions and projects, have not worked to the saving of lost souls in the world and the edifying of the churches toward eternal life. The results have been divided and alienated brethren, and churches spiritually weakened by worldliness and substitutions for God’s gospel, work and organization for His people. Our brethren are less knowledgeable in the Scriptures, with much less faith in God and in Christ and in the Scriptures, but they are far more knowledgeable in worldliness, sports, economics, the pleasures of sin, and have far more faith in men, money and machinations. Comparatively fewer brethren, individual Christians, are personally working and teaching the word of salvation to the lost. Fewer fathers read the Scriptures to their families, pray with their children, and take them to worship regularly. Fewer mothers are reading the sweet stories of the Bible to their little children and teaching them to pray. Fewer families emphasize spiritual matters in their daily lives, teaching God’s word and singing His praises “diligently unto the children, talking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deut. 6:6-7). Fewer boys and girls are growing up among us, dedicated to Jesus and to the church, and desiring to be teachers and preachers of the word, and elders and deacons in the churches.

Only as individuals will we work out our own salvation in fear and in trembling (Phil. 2:12). Only as individuals will we be wise in winning souls to Christ (Prov. 11:30; Dan. 12:3). Only as individuals interested in serving our Father and going to heaven can we each develop our talents and make ourselves useful for the Master (Matt. 25:14-30). Only as individuals can we teach and make discernible inroads into a lost world in saving souls along the way. Only as individuals can we learn to pray, to think, to meditate, to study, to visit, to teach and to encourage others. Centralized projects, overseeing elderships, human institutions, vast sums of money, and all kinds of programs will not get the job done which each of us should hope and want to do – saving souls! Even local congregations, as such, will not get the work done. It is only when each of us quits being a spectator in the crowd in the congregation and gets down on the field of action, and goes to work for the Lord, will we begin to do what our first century brethren did when they “went every where preaching

the word.”

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, p. 716
December 5, 1985

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: What do you believe about women attending business meetings of the local church?

Reply: Leadership in the local church belongs to men. A decision making business meeting is in itself a ruling entity. The role of the woman is that of subjection. This is God’s arrangement, not man’s. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was first formed, then Eve; and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression. . .” (1 Tim. 2:11-14). It is evident from this passage and others that the woman is not to assume authority over the man. Just as it is men (not women) who are to conduct the worship of the assembly, it is men (not women) who are to conduct the business affairs of the local church.

Where there are elders in the local church, they are to rule; thus they are to make the decisions (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:5; 5:17; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:2). Where there are no elders, business affairs are tended to by the men of the congregation in business meetings. They make the decisions. It is true that women have part in the decisions which have been made by the men. For “ample, in Acts 15 there is the record of the controversy over circumcision; it involved whether or not Gentiles had to be circumcised according to the law of Moses as a condition of their acceptance. The matter was considered by the apostles and elders (men), although the whole church (including women) were in accord with the decision made (Acts 15:22). Actions in the local church which involve such matters as the selection of men for certain work (the seven in Acts 6) and the selection of elders include women. The church is to do the selecting and women are a part of the church (see Acts 6:2, 5), but that men took the lead in these matters is evident (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5).

Women, without doubt, make valuable contributions to the work of the local church. They render services, some of which could not be as efficiently filled by men. There is more work to be done by Christians than public speaking and decision making. Christ is the head of the church, His body (Col. 1:18), and each member (male or female) has his or her function as a part of the body (1 Cor. 12:12-27). Women usually excel as teachers of women and small children. Aged women are instructed to teach younger women (Tit. 2:3-5). Priscilla, with her husband Aquilla, modestly taught Apollos (Acts 18:26). Under such conditions women may teach. The work of widows which would qualify them for support from the church is given in 1 Timothy 5:9-14. The adornment of women is given by Paul. “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety. . . through good works” (1 Tim. 2:9, 10). Her exemplary conduct has its effect upon others (1 Pet. 3:1, 2). Phoebe was a servant of the church at Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1). Euodia and Syntyche labored with Paul in the gospel (Phil. 4:2). Indeed, there is a great field of work for women. Her participation in the singing and other acts of worship directed by men, means much to the service. Her teaching in her proper sphere, her good deeds, her encouragement, her acts of kindness, hospitality and general humble service in the Lord’s work are all valuable and appreciated. The woman, then should not feel that she is suppressed, dominated, or discriminated against because she is not invited to participate in the business meetings of the church where decisions are made. It is not to be considered an attitude of chauvinism that she is excluded from these meetings, but rather that respect is given to the Scriptures as to the woman’s role and to their silence as to women making decisions for the church. This is not to say that women are not to be considered when it comes to decisions of judgment, even where there are elders. Neither is this to say that women should not be informed of decisions that are made.

There are occasions when the church may meet for a special item of business, such as information about a proposal to purchase land, or to read a letter of withdrawal from some disorderly members (2 Thess. 3:6). Sometimes the worship assembly is dismissed, all the members (including women) are asked to remain and the visitors are granted permission to leave. Women, along with all the other members are informed as to actions that have been taken.

Caution must be exercised, lest little by little, degree by degree, things are allowed to creep in which result in such practices as women chairmen and women preachers. The Christian Church, with her women preachers, did not develop over night. It was gradual in coming. It is so easy for practices and movements in our society to effect the thinking of brethren. The ERA and the women’s liberation movement can very well have their influence upon the church. Again, this is not to say that women who believe they should attend business meetings of the church are necessarily members of these movements, or in sympathy with them. This is simply a word of caution that brethren can be influenced by the thinking of our society without being aware of it. There is so much for women to do, so there is really no reason why they should attend business meetings. It is safe for the men to conduct the business affairs of the church; the Scriptures authorize it. Furthermore, we already have enough issues that divide us without inviting another. A good sister in Christ wrote to me recently stating that a church in California has split over this matter. I am alarmed at some things that are being written in some of the papers. Women lectureships are also giving some of us concern. There are some trends among us that are dangerous, to say the least. They need to be watched carefully. The realm of woman’s subjection is as true in the church as it is in the home (Eph. 5:22, 23). In the home it is the business of the husband to make the decisions, and in the church it is the business of the men to publicly preach and make the decisions. Women, fulfill your God-given role; you will be blessed and your work will be valuable to the cause of Christ.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, pp. 714-715
December 5, 1985

By Robert F. Turner

The words “brother” and “sister” suggest family ties, with first application to the blood relationship that exists when we have the same parents. However, most of us are familiar with its application in a broader sense: as Jewish “brethren” (Acts 2:29); and fraternal or social “kinship,” even “brothers in Adam.” We also recognize its extension to the spiritual realm, where “children of God” (Rom. 8:16) conform to the image of God’s Son, “that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (v. 29).

When we write of “brethren in the Lord” we refer to a spiritual tic made possible by the Lord and enjoyed only “in Him. ” Such a designation has a warm and meaningful connotation, and should not be carelessly applied. It should not be cheapened by use as a title, as is “Reverend.” Once it was announced that “Brother and mistress Robert Turner are with us . . .” and I arose to a point of order. I said “brother” is not my title; and if I am a “brother” my wife is a “sister.” These designations, applied to spiritual relationships, indicate our belief that the ones addressed are children of God, and that we have kinship with them in God’s family.

The “Grace-Fellowship” movement (and I suppose that means whatever the reader chooses) frequently produces a criticism of those who “fail to recognize” one another as “brethren.” They reason that since all children of God are brethren (or sisters) on the basis of Fatherhood (having the same spiritual Father), our “recognition” has nothing to do with it. There is an element of truth here. All true children of God are in one and the same family, and are therefore brothers and sisters in God’s sight, whether we recognize it or not. But our sight is not as good as God’s sight. The observation about “Fatherhood” does not address the problem of how we are to know brethren, and extend fellowship. It plays with pretty words while ignoring the issue.

God knows absolutely who are acceptable in His sight, and who are not (2 Tim. 2:19); for He is author of the relationship, and sees the innermost recesses of each heart. But we can know only in a relative sense those whom God approves. We know (believe) such things to the extent we have learned the divine will (from God’s word); and to the extent we are able to read the hearts of individuals on the basis of apparent “fruits.” In neither of these fields are we infallible, no matter how sincere our efforts. We would like to recognize all brethren, and are trying to do so; but man’s desire is not enough to correctly identify the children of God.

(1) Shall we treat as brethren all who claim to be His children? This would ignore what we know of the divine standard. (2) Shall we select from God’s will that which we deem important, and fellowship on the basis of these limited rules? This makes us judges of the law, rather than those judged by the law, and brings us under God’s condemnation (Jas. 2:10-12; 4:11-12). (3) Shall we rest our case on “the way we do it”? There is no avoiding the fact that application of God’s law is possible only to the extent we know that law; but to be satisfied with our way as the standard is tantamount to saying we know it all (1 Cor. 8:1-3), or do it perfectly. Paul says we should not 46measure ourselves by ourselves” (2 Cor. 10:12f).

The legalist tries to solve these difficulties by legal technicality – by finding a “loop-hole” in the law, that seems to justify his conclusion. Others seem to think d4grace” can be applied at their discretion (like a Watkin’s liniment), regardless of God’s instructions. Presuming to speak for God is a dangerous practice. “He will not require it . . . . God hath forgotten . . . . He will never see it . . . .” These are the thoughts of infidelity, no matter how piously they are uttered (Psa. 10).

Brethren with strong “Church of Christ” loyalties may find it difficult to accept, but the truth is: doctrines we have espoused, “the way we have done it,” and our traditional concepts of “brethren,” are not the final word. They are products of our study and understanding of God’s word, subject to human error. We are only saying what most of us surely know to be true. Truth is not relative; it is absolute, and will judge us in the last day (Jn. 17:17; 12:48). But our knowledge, and our practices, are subject to corrective revision. Willingness to “search the scriptures” and readjust faith and practice as needed to conform, is proof of a noble spirit, God approved (Acts 17:11).

Is it a sign of weakness to acknowledge we have less than perfect knowledge? Do not confuse truth searching with instability (Jas. 1:8). Conviction is an essential element in the service of God; and with Paul we should say, “we also believe, and therefore speak” (2 Cor. 4:13). But our convictions must be objectively determined, the results of prayerful and diligent study of God’s word. I am persuaded such convictions will be coupled with humility – for we will become aware there is so much more we do not know. On the other hand, superficial knowledge or a few “church doctrines” learned by rote and not well grounded by “going on to perfection,” may leave us heady, cocky, and with little more than a sectarian faith. The strong man continues his search for truth; the weak fears to question his traditions with further study.

We treat as brethren in the Lord those we sincerely believe to be participants with us in the search for truth, and whom we believe to have come far enough in their knowledge and obedience to be treated as children of God. We freely acknowledge our judgment does not make them children of God, nor does it prevent that relationship; but it is all we have by which to determine fellowship during our earthly sojourn. God knows exactly those who are His; we know (?) to the extent we know the truth, and the heart and life of the individual.

With such a concept, can we be positive and emphatic in our teaching and practice? We cannot be honest with self and God and if we act any other way. Conviction and conscience demand we act in keeping with what we truly believe,. and we are warned that any other course is sinful (Rom. 14:5, 23). We may also sin by failing to be considerate of another’s conscience (vv. 1-3, 10); but this does not mean ceasing to teach what we believe to be the truth, seeking to change another’s conscience (v. 14; 1 Cor. 8:8; 10:27f). Honesty and concern for one we believe to be in error prompts us to teach and warn him. The same level of understanding that gives me hope, tells me others have no hope. If I am convinced you are about to partake of a poison, have I no obligation to warn you? Failure to teach truth and exercise corrective discipline are often the results of lack of conviction and/or concern for lost souls.

We believe God’s word is unified and understandable, and no division can be rightly blamed upon God. The “sword” Jesus brought was not wielded arbitrarily Jesus did not come desiring division among families (Matt. 10:34f). But the very nature of God and truth tolerates no rejection. His sword separates those who love self more than God, who love their own way more than God’s way. God wields that sword in the final and absolute sense; and knows exactly what He is doing. But we too have a swordwielding obligation, despite our limitations of relativity. We are to recognize those who serve Satan (judging by their fruits), and have no fellowship with them (1 Cor. 5; etc.). Our judgment will not be infallible, but failure to act may be inexcusable.

In the final analysis, all we or anyone else can do is apply ourselves wholeheartedly to the service of God, doing the very best we can to follow His will in faith and practice. If, in our sincere effort to serve God, we err in judgment concerning our brethren on earth; surely this is better than lack of conviction and effort on earth, which can separate us from our brethren and from God in heaven.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, pp. 711-712
December 5, 1985

By Tommy L. McClure

Introduction

Numerous have been the efforts of some modern religionists to turn people from the word of God. Often I have heard: “I know I am saved because of the way I feel, and I would not give my feelings for a stack of Bibles a mile high”; “the Bible is just a dead letter”; we live in a modem age, but the Bible was written two thousand years ago”; and “I know the Bible says. . . but I think . . .” Many, earnestly seeking for salvation, have been turned from the plain statements of the Bible to the mourner’s bench to “pray through” for salvation and to pray for a “Pentecostal shower” from above, whatever those expressions mean. The design of all such statements is to darken counsel, foster ignorance, stifle understanding, keep back from wisdom, and keep men in the way that leads to hell! The devil is the designer of them; deceived or deceitful preachers are the propagators. People need to be taught the truth about the necessity of the word of God!

God’s Word Reveals His Character

Nature shows that there is a God of glory whose handiwork is magnificent (Psa. 19:1), but to know of God’s character it is necessary to investigate His revealed word. Revelation (God’s word, the Bible) tells us that He is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and when He speaks He will make good His word (Num. 23:19). He cannot lie, according to the Book (Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:17,18). There is no respect of persons with Him (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11). Love is so characteristic of God, we are told He is love (1 Jn. 4:8). Yet, God’s wrath against sin is such that He is referred to as a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29). These and other characteristics of God are to be learned, not in nature and physical science, but in His Revelation – the Bible!

As people turn from the word of God, morality and godliness decrease. Immorality and ungodliness are on the rise today for this very reason. People don’t know “beans from split coffee” about the Bible because they have been turned from it by deceived or deceitful men who have caused them to think the Bible is unnecessary! They know not the character of God or the way of godliness, for there is no such thing as being God-like in this world apart from the Book which reveals His character! Numerous Bible statements plainly show the absolute necessity of godliness or God-likeness (1 Tim. 4:7,8; 6:6,11; Tit. 2:11,12; 2 Pet. 1:5-11). Therefore, God’s word is absolutely necessary!

God’s Word Reveals His Will

We would not know a thing about God’s will for man were it not for Divine Revelation. Paul repeatedly said, “For this is the will of God. . . ” (1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18). Peter said, “For so is the will of God. . . ” in setting forth Christians’ obligations toward civil rulers (1 Pet. 2:13-17). God’s will is expressed in God’s word – not in natural sciences, or in the philosophies, creeds and opinions of men! Many who take pride in knowing about God know nothing of His will for man because they have not investigated His word where that will is expressed!

Is it important that man know and do the will of God? Watch! We must do the will of the Father to enter the kingdom (Matt. 7:21); for our prayers to be valid, they must be according to His will (1 Jn. 5:14); the Psalmist delighted to do His will (Psa. 40:8); the Psalmist also called upon God to teach him to do His will (Psa. 143:10); Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Thy will be done” (Matt. 6: 10); the mission of the Son while on earth was to do His will (Jn. 5:30; 6:38; Heb. 10:7,9); doing the will of God is essential to kinship with Christ (Mk. 3:35); he that doeth the will of God abideth forever (1 Jn. 2:17)! Since it is absolutely necessary that we do His will, but since we cannot know His will apart from His word, the word is absolutely necessary!

The Word of God Is Essential To Knowing The Promises Of God

God’s promises are expressed in His word! There we are told of “the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:1), of “the promise of eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15), and of the promise of “eternal life” (1 Jn. 2:25). God’s promises are conditional and the conditions are set forth in His word – often in the same passage as the promise. Note one “ample: To the Corinthians, Paul said, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my ‘sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 6:17-7: 1). The promises given are: “I will receive you,” “will be a Father unto you,” and “ye shall be my sons and daughters.” The conditions laid down are: “come out from among them,” “be ye separate,” “touch not the unclean thing,” “cleanse ourselves,” and “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Stargazing will not reveal these promises nor the conditions on which they are to be granted, for the promises are not set forth in nature or in natural phenomenon. The scientist may look at his test tube and the astronomer may peer into the heavens by means of his telescope and see many wonderful things, but there they will never see the promises of God, because there they are not revealed. They are revealed in the word of God. Therefore, those who would turn men away from God’s word would turn them from the promises of God and the conditions upon which they are based, leaving the impression that the promises are of little worth and the conditions non-essential!

The Word Of God Is Essential To Knowing The Threats Of God

The careful Bible student knows of the threats God has made against wicked men. Knowing these threats, true believers earnestly try to shape their lives according to God’s pattern so as to avoid the threats God has made. They learned of these threats by the word of God, not be means of natural science, nor by human genius. They read such statements as: “But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile” (Rom. 2:8,9). From God’s word they learned that “. . the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). They also read “. . . the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thess. 1:7-9). These and other threats God has given against the wicked in His word, nowhere else! Therefore, he who would turn you from the word of God, by minimizing its importance or by speaking disparagingly of it, would keep you ignorant of the destruction which awaits wicked and ungodly men! Such a parson is not your friend, regardless of how pious he may seem!

God’s Word Is Essential To Knowing God’s Standard Of Judgment

How can one be prepared for the judgment if he knows not what the standard of judgment will be? The Bible, God’s revelation to man, makes that standard clear “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (Jn. 12:48). Paul speaks of “. . . the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Rom. 2:16). I believe this passage teaches that the gospel is to be the standard of judgment with Jesus as the agent of judgment. However, if “according to my gospel” is to be taken in the sense that the gospel reveals the judgment, and not in the sense that the gospel is the standard of judgment, it makes little difference to me. If I am wrong, still man today knows of the judgment by the gospel, and in that gospel, nowhere else, can be learned of the standard by which he will be judged in the last day!

In fact, everything man knows about the judgment comes from the word of God — its certainty (Acts 17:31; Heb. 9:27), the awesome scene (Matt. 25:31, 32), its scope (Acts 17:3 1; Eccl. 12:14; 2 Cor. 5:10), its righteousness, no bribing, plea bargaining, and no covering nor withholding of facts (Acts 17:31; Eccl. 12:14), its basis (Rom. 2:6, 16; Rev. 20:12, 13), its personal nature, each one giving account for himself (Rom. 14:10,12; 2 Cor. 5:10), its fixed nature, the day set or appointed (Acts 17:31), and its finality, no court of appeal nor reversal of decision (Matt. 25:34, 41, 46). This and all else we know of the judgment we get from the word of God! Is one your friend who turns you from that word by making you believe it is unimportant, thus causing you to be ignorant of the judgment? No, a thousand times!

The Word Of God Is Essential To Knowing The Way Of Salvation

What would man know of salvation or damnation were it not for the word of God? Exactly “the little end of nothing whittled off!” The Bible reveals the fact that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). The Bible is the book which tells of the origin of sin and its results (Rom. 5:12). Note that sin entered the world by Adam and death passed upon all men because all have sinned. The Bible tells us how sin enters the life of each individual -he allows himself to be enticed by his own lust (Jas. 1:13-15). The Bible tells us that those who yield themselves to serve sin become its servants (Rom. 6:16,17; Jn. 8:34). The Bible reveals that the bondage of si n is a hard bondage (2 Pet. 2:14-19). And it is the Bible which tells us that those in sin’s bondage are on the road to hell (Rev. 21:8)!

Likewise, it is the Bible which tells us what to do to be delivered from the power of darkness and be translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13). There we learn of the question asked Peter and the other apostles by those on Pentecost: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) In the next verse we have the inspired answer: “Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). In the Bible we can read the statement of the Son of God Himself in which He tells men of both salvation and damnation: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16). The Bible tells us that the angel told Cornelius of Peter: “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:13,14). It records for us the words Peter spoke on that occasion (Acts 10:34-48). The preaching of Peter, John, Paul and others as recorded in the Acts Of The Apostles clearly sets forth the way of salvation, and the damsel was right when she said of Paul and those with him, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17). If men will but look in the Book, they can see that way!

It is the Bible which tells us how this way was made possible! God’s love for man is the source from which the way of salvation came (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8). Because of that love, God’s Son appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:26). After the sacrifice was made on Calvary, He entered into heaven with His own blood to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12,24). Thus, man is not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18,19). In the words of Paul, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit” (Rom. 8:1). Now, having learned all this from the word of God, we can joyously tell sinners:

“There is a fountain filled with blood

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;

And sinners, plunged beneath that flood;

Lose all their guilty stains.”

Conclusion

If it is important to know the character of God, His will, His promises, His threats, His standard of judgment, and the way of salvation He has provided, then the word of God is important! The truth is: Instead of the Bible being a “dead letter” or “out dated” or “unimportant,” it is the most important book in the world! Read it! Study it! Practice it! Never be turned from it! Preach it! Defend it against the onslaughts of Satan and his ministers! And, with it, turn the world upside down and false teachers inside out!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, pp. 708-709, 727
December 5, 1985