Truth Magazine

By Robert F. Turner

Ask your Bible class to explain briefly “The Plan we of Salvation,” and many will be content to say, “Faith, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism” or the like. I could tell you flatly that is not a complete answer, and leave you in shock; or we can study our subject and the place of faith, repentance, confession, and baptism in that plan, and perhaps all will gain a better perspective of important material.

The commands, faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, are not found as a stated unit in the Scriptures, as most of you know. For that matter, the expression “plan of salvation” is not found in the New Testament. The demoniac woman of Philippi said of Paul and his company, “These men . . . show unto us the way of salvation,” (Acts 16:17) although I know of no one who would insist she referred to faith, repentance, confession, and baptism. The gospel is called “the power of God unto salvation,” (Rom. 1:16) and the word of truth is the “gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13); but responsible exegetes realize there is far more under consideration here than faith, repentance, confession, and baptism. Please note, “more . . . than,” for we are not pitting “The Man” against “The Plan,” nor do we accept the fallacious argument that “gospel” is limited to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We seek means of impressing you with basic elements in God’s plan for man’s salvation which will be missed if we limit ourselves to thinking faith, repentance, confession, and baptism every time we hear “plan of salvation.”

We can not know God’s full purpose in creating man, but Scriptures indicate there was a “plan” for innocent obedient creatures. Paul told the Athenians God made man to “seek the Lord . . . feel after him, and find him” (Acts 17:24-27). From the Roman letter we learn all men are expected to “glorify” God and “be thankful” (1:21). Such praise, honor, and “glory” could not come from brute beasts nor from men who were but puppets without a will of their own. God’s plans for man necessitated moral creatures with the power of choice — and that is exactly how man was made. God gave man something of Himself, for he made him “in the image of God”: capable of forming purposes, and directing thoughts and actions to attain these ends. Man can say “Yes” or “No” to his Maker — something many theologians find impossible to swallow. But what seems a divine limitation is in reality God’s plan to attain eternal purposes. Obviously, man can not say “No” with impunity. The absolute sovereignty of God is vindicated in final judgment.

Did God know man would sin? Yes, He did, although we remind the reader that foreknowledge is not the same as foreordination. God knew man would sin, but this does not make God responsible for sin. On the contrary, at great cost His plan for man’s redemption from sin before man was created. Ephesians 1:4 tells us we were chosen “in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world.” This is the “eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:1). God “saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Tim.1:9). Careful study of the above will greatly assist us in understanding “grace,” as well as God’s plan for our salvation, for they are inseparable.

God acts in keeping with His nature. Being a just God, “the soul that sinneth, it must die.” But God is also merciful, and “full of grace and truth.” Paul says sinners are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24); i.e., in Christ’s death on behalf of sinners (v. 25; 5:8-9). Look at it carefully! We are justified (freed of guilt, forgiven) by grace (God’s benevolent disposition toward man), through redemption (a buying back process); namely, Christ’s blood (His life, given in our stead). I sinned, therefore I should die. But God gave His Son to die in my stead: “that he might be just” (consistent with His justice) “and the justifier” (merciful, consistent with His grace), of those who believe (put their trust in Him).

Here is God’s plan for man. Having made him a self-determining, free moral agent, God intended man, of his own free will, to love and praise his Creator. Failure on man’s part condemned man to eternal separation from God. But there is God’s plan for man’s salvation. He freely gave of Himself (His Son) to die in man’s stead (Isa. 53) and promised to forgive all who would, of their own free will, put their trust in Christ. The means of salvation is Christ; the operation of salvation is forgiveness; and the condition for salvation is faith – complete loving, obedient trust. Forgiveness at the point of obedient faith is not a denial of grace; it is wholly consistent with God’s purpose in making these free moral agents.

The woman soothsayer of Philippi said the Philippians had been shown “the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17). Judging by what follows, she must have referred to Christ. We can know that when the Philippian jailer asked what he “must do to be saved,” he was told to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (vv. 30f). This is no “faith only” passage, as the context clearly shows, but emphasis is given to faith in Christ as a basis for all that followed. Repentance, confession, and baptism are the results of a proper trust in the Savior who died for us. They are embodied in the condition (faith) as stated in Romans. The same principle is observed in all New Testament sermons.

On Pentecost, Peter preached the resurrected, glorified and enthroned Christ. Then, when believers asked what to do, they were told to repent and be baptized. Note the emphasis in Acts 3. In Acts 8 Phillip preached Christ as ruler (kingdom) and means (name) to lead Samaritans to baptism (vv. 5,12). To the Eunuch, he began with Isaiah 53 and preached Jesus (Acts 8:35f). An explanation of Isaiah 53 is a most appropriate way to preach Christ today and to lead people to want to obey Him in baptism.

Walter Scott is credited with having “organized” what many call the “Plan of Salvation” about 150 years ago. (His “order” was faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of Holy Spirit — five items he counted on his fingers.) Scott knew that Christ was our Savior, but he assumed common ground with his hearers and moved from that to fight “faith only” and “experience of grace” advocates. T.W. Brents in his great book The Gospel Plan of Salvation, said Christ was “the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world” (Intro.); and “the elect one . . . on whom others believe to their salvation” (p. 17). Then he stated his immediate purpose: “We are more concerned in examining the election of men . . .” And our emphasis, for the past 150 years, has been on just this. But while we were telling people what to do, we have to some extent slighted the gift of God that gives meaning to that obedient faith. This ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. To truly appreciate and have others to appreciate the glorious gospel of Christ, we must resolve to preach a balanced “Plan of Salvation.”

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, pp. 390, 407
July 4, 1985

By Mike Willis

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and Perfect, will of God (Rom. 12:12).

In every age, the Christian is tempted to be conformed to the world in which he lives. By the word “world,” Paul refers to that mass of thoughts, pursuits, interests, styles, goals, etc., which characterize men at any particular period of time. There is the ever present danger that the Christian will allow the world’s standards to become his own.

Our world is characterized by significant dangers. A number of Christian beliefs are openly attacked by the worldly philosophies of this present age. Humanism, with its rejection of God, denies the moral standards of the Bible. Many who have no direct attachment to atheistic humanism have accepted the ethical codes of that movement. The ethical standard of atheism says that man should not withhold from himself any temporal pleasure in the hope of obtaining some future reward beyond the grave; atheism denies any afterlife and therefore has nothing to offer beyond the grave. Consequently, if fornication gives a man and woman pleasure, they should indulge themselves; if drinking a six-pack of beer with friends is enjoyable, get together and enjoy yourselves; if watching a sex movie turns you on, you should be free to watch that movie.

Our generation has accepted these moral standards which have been formally stated in the Humanist Manifestos I and II, and have been popularized in the pornographic magazines, such as Playboy. The general attitude of the young men in our age is that if a person has the opportunity to commit fornication and does not take advantage of it, he is a fool.

Bible Morality Must Be Preached

As the world around us has accepted more liberal moral standards, some of us preachers have been so reserved in our preaching that we do not like to deal specifically with the issues confronting our young people. While none of us wants a sermon which is so explicit in its depiction of fornication and immodesty that it is pornographic itself, we cannot leave any doubt about what forms of sin we are fighting.

The Bible has somewhat to say about fornication and adultery (1 Cor. 6:12-20; Gal. 5:19; 1 Thess. 4:3-7). If there was ever a generation which needed to hear what the Bible says about these subjects, it is this generation.

The Bible has somewhat to say about the evils of strong drink. Drunkenness, revelry, and social drinking are specifically forbidden (Gal. 5: 19-21; 1 Pet. 4:3). Godly people are warned about the dangers of intoxicating beverages (Prov. 20:1; 23:29-35). Our beer-drinking, social-drinking society needs to hear what the Bible says about this subject. We dare not leave the fight against drunkenness to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The Bible has somewhat to say about the dangers of “looking on a woman to lust after her” (Mt. 5:28; Prov. 6:23; Job 31:1). Salacious literature is available in most minute markets in the local neighborhood; R- and X-rated movies are piped into many homes by network and cable television; the beaches are filled with men and women in near nudity. Our pornography plagued and lascivious society needs to hear what God has spoken on this subject.

The Bible has somewhat to say about “lascivious” behavior (Gal. 5:19). The word “lascivious,” from aselgia means “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence . . . wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movement, unchaste handling of males and females” (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, pp. 79-80). The word covers a whole multitude of sins generally accepted in our society. “Unbridled lust” is depicted in the bedroom scenes on television and in the movies repeatedly. “Filthy words” are the tools of trade of almost every comedian and are part of the standard vocabulary of most Americans old enough to be able to speak. Better words to describe the modern dance could not be imagined than “indecent bodily movements.” “Shamelessness.” is certainly the characteristic of a society which has lost its ability to blush (Jer. 6:15; 8:12). It is manifested in our society by television talk show hosts who discuss any private matter before millions of people, by men and women who go to public beaches with nearly nothing on, by those who openly say, “I’m gay,” and any other number of brazen admissions of immorality. The Bible has somewhat to say about lasciviousness, and we preachers need to be proclaiming what it has to say.

What the Bible has to say on these subjects needs to be preached openly and without apology. These are not subjects to be withheld from the general public and taught in the privacy of some classroom in a local congregation! They need to be preached in the pulpits on Sunday morning, on the radio and television, in bulletins and magazines, and in any other forum we have opportunity to use.

How Are We Doing In This Fight?

Only God knows for sure. However, there are some signs which point to the fact that far too many of us are being “conformed to this world” rather than having our minds “renewed” by the teaching of the Bible.

Christians go to the neighborhood swimming pool and beaches in the same kind of attire as the rest of the world. I hear stories of elders having pool parties in their homes where members of the church are invited over and mixed swimming occurs. I hear of Christians allowing their Christian children to attend modern dances, such as the prom. Unfortunately, involvement in these activities is not limited to weak, recently concerted members; weak Christians who have been appointed as elders and deacons are now involved. There is no way to know how many Christians are involved in watching the pornography of R- and X-rated movies coming into the home through cable television. Christians justify social drinking and beer parties on the basis that “my boss expects it of me.”

The impact of worldliness on the church is not limited to the occasion when one of the pretty young girls in the congregation comes forward confessing, “I have not been living as a Christian should,” gets married within a few days, and has a baby six months after her wedding. The worldliness was there when she attended the dance, spent long hours petting while parked at the drive-in theater or isolated road, went to the public pool in her skimpy swimsuit and watched the bed-romping scenes on television or at the movies. This worldliness has spread like a gangrene among us and it is past time that we should be alarmed by it.

The fornication has got to stop! The drinking has got to stop! Dressing immodestly has got to stop I Reading and/or watching pornography has got to stop I Going to the public beaches and mixed swimming has got to stop! Attending the prom and other dances has got to stop! A Christian cannot expect to go to heaven while continuing his practice of these things.

Conclusion

If we truly love those involved in these kinds of sin, we will do what we can to call them to repentance. Their soul stands in jeopardy before God so long as they continue in these sins. Unfortunately, some of us have become so desensitized to immorality that we are not very much alarmed when we see it. We are numbed to it. Or, could we say, as Paul said, we are being “conformed to this world”?

Brethren, let us not forget that sin has not changed. The dancing which was wrong when we were children is still wrong. The dance has not been “cleaned up” so that it is no longer lascivious. The mixed swimming which was wrong twenty years ago is still wrong. The attire which is worn at the modem beach is not more modest today than it was then. The drinking which was wrong when we were children is still wrong. Drinking is not less sinful or less of a problem in modern society than it was twenty years ago. These things are still sinful and those involved in them must be called to repentance. Our love and faithfulness to God demand that we preach the moral standards revealed in the Bible.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, pp. 386, 406
July 4, 1985

By Phil T. Arnold

Have you ever had the occasion to witness an individual called upon to comment upon a particular passage and react something like this? He ponders momentarily, skims a little, and then confidently responds by saying, “Well, it just says what it means and means what it ways.” Such allows a class to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time but perhaps with less benefit than desired. It may be that such a response is evidence of a lack of knowledge of the text or a failure to prepare for our studies, or, more likely, both. Yet, this answer is still far better than many offer when commenting upon particular Bible subjects and texts. Because of a lack of love for the truth, “pet” doctrines and practices, and prejudices, individuals offer some pretty strange interpretations”(?) of simple passages and simply cannot (?) understand what certain passages have to say. In an effort to cling to the Bible and claim continued allegiance without changing their doctrine or lives, they invent fanciful and imaginative exegesis that make void the word of God. They conclude that while “that may be what the Bible says, but surely that isn’t what it means.”

What Does The Bible Say About Creation?

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The Bible plainly and firmly declared that “the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Heb. 11:3b). This creation is revealed to have been accomplished in six days with the work of creation being mature and full-grown. Yet, many attempt to hold to the Bible and deny these simple and unalterable truths about the origin and development of life and this world. The theistic evolutionists, therefore, often conclude that while the Bible makes such statements this is not really what it means.

I recall being in a discussion with an anthropology professor who attempted to allegorize everything pertaining to man’s origin and early existence in order to bring the Bible record into harmony with his false theory about early man. Thus, to him the story of Adam and Eve being cast out of the garden of Eden was not a literal story but simply God’s way of figuratively describing the time that man’s early ancestors left the trees and began walking upon the grasslands of ancient Africa. Such an “interpretation” (?) of the first three chapters of Genesis takes a prejudiced heart, a fertile imagination, and a lack of love for the truth. Yes, the Bible says what it means and means what it ways. God created the world and all therein exactly as the Bible relates and not in harmony with science falsely so-called.

What Does The Bible Say About The Number Going To Heaven

I realize that some have placed an exact number upon the inhabitants of that glorious eternal home, but it is not to this that we have reference. Rather, we inquire as to whether or not heaven will be the abode of the majority of mankind. What does the Bible say? “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13, 14). But the world ponders as to whether or not Jesus meant “few” when He said “few.” You see, man through his intellect cannot conceive of a God who would allow the majority of mankind to be lost eternally and to experience the horror of hell. In fact, man is not so sure that God meant “hell,” an everlasting place of torment, when He said “hell. ” This too does not harmonize with the God of love (?) of their imagination. Yet, heaven and hell are both mentioned with frequency and in terms to suggest without doubt that hell is a literal place of punishment and terror, time without end.

The Bible also gives us examples of God’s judgment and the “few” who escaped the wrath of God. There were but eight souls who entered the ark and were delivered from the flood. Only two, Joshua and Caleb, entered the promised land in contrast to the multitudes that left Egypt and perished in the wilderness. Yes, the Bible says what it means and means what it says and it takes a prejudiced heart, a fertile imagination and a lack of love for the truth to arrive at the interpretation that most people will go to heaven and all others will simply cease to be, for there is no hell. The Bible says what it means and means what it says. Many will go unto destruction and few will enter into life eternal.

What Does The Bible Say About Man’s Salvation?

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:8, 9). Yet, man has with great persistence proclaimed that salvation is “wholly of grace” and by “faith alone.” God’s word says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). Man denies that this is what James meant (the necessity of obedience), continued to profess allegiance to the Bible, and preaches his own doctrine of salvation apart from and without obedience. The objection in this matter is most often made to baptism as being involved with the salvation of man. This in spite of what God’s word has to say. The words of Jesus declare, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16).

I remember discussing this passage with a denominational preacher who simply could not understand this statement of Jesus in light of his own concept of salvation. In an effort to understand the passage as his doctrine demanded and convince me of my error, he pulled a commentary from his shelf and read aloud the comments of one he held in high esteem. He was surprised to find the following comment: “This passage appears to teach the necessity of baptism in salvation, but we know this cannot be so.” In other words, “That’s what the Bible says, but that’s not what it means.” Sadly, his surprise and inability to understand Mark 16:16, as well as many other passages in God’s word, did not alter his firmly held belief. His lack of love for the truth, prejudiced heart, and fertile imagination had given him an alternative to what the Bible actually said. My friend, the Bible says what it means and mean what it says. We best believe and obey it, if we would be saved.

Unfortunately, those who wear the name “church of Christ” are not immune to a hardened heart that blinds our eyes and will not allow us to see the truth. For years, numbers within the church have had difficulty in understanding (?) what the Bible teaches about divorce and remarriage for any reason. Their strange interpretation of repentance allows for a continued living in a sinful relationship. As such problems (divorce and remarriage other than for fornication) increase in the church, I fear that more and more brethren will have trouble believing that the Bible means what it ways and says what it means about this subject.

Even now we also witness new (?) teaching of a strange sound concerning other areas which we once understood differently. The grace of God is now allowing our fellowship to be broadened beyond those who walk according to His commandments and “sin” no longer is that which necessarily and always separates us from God. Such is but a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah anew, which says: “Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the heart of this people has grown dull. Their hears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should hear with their ears, lest they should understand with the hearts and turn, so that I should heal them” (Mt. 13:14,15).

Yes, The Bible Says What It Means And Means What It Says

The Bible says what it means and means what it says even when it talks about failing to love the truth, believing that which is false, and standing condemned. Therefore, let each of us guard his heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Let us maintain a love for the truth, study it diligently, apply it uniformly, and live it faithfully. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 12, pp. 374-375
June 20, 1985

Reprinted From The Christian Chronicle, May 1985

“Give, but give wisely,” seems to be the best advice offered by people with experience in benevolence.

No one claims it is possible to avoid fraud entirely, but “the Lord knows our motives are right” is no excuse for inadequate research, they say.

Here’s the best of the advice we found:

– Don’t rush. If you are being rushed, something may be wrong.

– Insist on positive identification including a social security number.

– Don’t be afraid. Ask the hard questions. If they are offended, that’s a good sign something is wrong.

– Be cautious when callers seem to have a wide acquaintance with brotherhood names, elders, issues, etc. These are used to disarm. Do not accept them as proof.

– Be sure to check phone numbers given for references. Call forwarding can be used to redirect calls to others involved in the confidence game.

– Never give money. If you purchase a ticket, mark it “non-negotiable for cash.”

– Let one person handle benevolence. Consistency and experience reduce fraud.

– Be wary of references who cannot be reached. Professionals often give references who are on vacation.

– Be objective when dealing with emotional requests like “the stranded, new Christian,” holiday pleas, etc. “it is much better not to get emotionally involved,” said Bill Mealer, head of the benevolence program at Madison, Tenn. Church of Christ.

– Be aware that criminals often impersonate faithful Christians. Be sure to check telephone numbers and identities carefully.

– Always call nearby churches and congregations to see if they have received similar requests. Share information, networking helps to foil dishonest schemes.

Said Robert Sharpe, author of a charitable-giving guide, “Before You Give Another Dime:” “By not demanding accountability, the individual makes charitable mismanagement possible.”

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 12, p. 372
June 20, 1985