Truth Magazine

By Olen Holderby

Young people of today live in an age of uncertainty. Turmoil in the world has destroyed from see minds of many youth, the desire to plan for the future, to set goals for happiness and success. There is an old adage which says, “That which man wants most is that of which he has been deprived.” Whatever degree of accuracy we attach to this adage, it apparently is true of most people in the world today. In fact, with many, it seems that the goal is simply to adjust themselves to the idea that not anything is really worth much, that success is being able to adjust one’s self to the status quo. And, this is adjudged to be happiness. May I kindly suggest that if you are walking in this path, you not only have a problem, but you are multiplying your problems. And, my young friends, these problems will, sooner or later, arise to haunt you — night and day!

There is a solution! Out of the turmoil and frustration of the present can come some real happiness and may make life worth living to the fullest – not because of the turmoil, but in spite of it! There are many areas that could be explored in this context, but I wish to develop only one point for your consideration.

Unselfishness

I am speaking not just of unselfishness with those among whom you live now, but unselfishness to your posterity. This is made necessary because of the tendency, especially among the young, to “live just for today.” To “live it up” for here and now is presently the focus of much attention. This kind of thinking is basically selfish. And, this deprives our posterity of sharing in the good things which we have and forces upon them the bad. It is difficult for us to think of, and work for, a time when we shall no longer live. If we cannot personally experience it, we think it is of no value to us. We seem to have largely forgotten the debt we owe to our ancestors; therefore, we give little or no thought to what our posterity may receive from us.

From the Roman historian Levy, I give the following quote, “Barcas, father of Hannibal, took his son at the age of nine to the pagan altar and there the child (Hannibal), at that tender age, swore eternal hatred to the Romans.” Barcas knew little about the principles embraced by Christianity; nor did he expect to live to see Rome destroyed. However, there is one thing Barcas did that many Christians never do – he established an ideal for his posterity! This is exactly what I am suggesting to you – establish an ideal for your posterity! Leave something to your posterity from which they may profit, really profit. Many are ready to ask –

What Can I Give To My Posterity?

To answer this question we shall draw from two sources, biblical and historical. “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the words of God, but keep his commandments: and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God” (Psa. 78:2-8). We cannot overlook the ideal expressed here, “That they might set their hope in God.” We take our historical, quote from Patrick Henry, as he made his last will and testament, “I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that and I had not given them one shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not that, and I have given them all the world, they would be poor. ” From these we can easily see that we, at least, should leave to our posterity a heritage rich in the religion of Jesus Christ. To think differently is to admit (though we may resent it) our own faulty concept of happiness and success.

In discussing the material things which we may leave to our posterity, Solomon said, “This also is vanity and a great evil” (Eccl. 2:19-20). This was true, of course, because of the great uncertainty of how such things would be used. All know that a man must care for his own (1 Tim. 5:8); but there comes a time, out there somewhere, when our children must accept the responsibility of their own care, and no longer depend upon their parents. But, while they are under parental care, the parents possess an awesome responsibility. Look at Hosea 4:6, “. . . seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Think of this, rejected of God and deprived of heaven! Why? Read the passage again. The parents have ignored the law of God to them, leaving to their posterity little hope of God’s favor. Do we see our chores for today? Many of you to whom I speak are young parents; many more will soon be young parents. What shall you give to your posterity? Will it be an ideal of hopelessness, live for today, forget about others, especially the future? From what has been said, we may easily see the unselfish service we are to render to our posterity. Give them an untarnished faith in God and His Word, give them unblemished examples of parents whose greatest desire is to please God, give them a real and an abiding hope in something better than, and beyond, this life. You will, thusly, leave them rich! “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13). But, let us go further.

About Our Forefathers

Some of them fled religious intolerance to an uncertain and unknown land. As they left the lands of their births there appeared to be only one thing certain with them – their faith and trust in the guiding power of the word of God. They established schools. The Bible became the first reader, the second reader, and the third reader. Children thus taught were to become leaders of a great nation, patriots who were to become the authors of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Untied States. These fathers had given to their children a heritage that equipped them with the means of real success – a familiarity with and respect for the commands of God. In view of all this, if you can see why some wish to remove God from national affairs, you have better insight than I have. We must instill in our posterity the same attitude towards God’s Word that those Pilgrims must have had when they started across the Atlantic, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). Any departure from this lofty idea is a departure from the design of our forefathers, and is a departure from the whole God-assigned duty of man (Eccl. 12:13).

It Won’t Be Easy

To live this unselfish life, planning for a time when you no longer live, you are faced with a momentous problem. If this problem was not solvable, I would not be suggesting that you even try. In many of our public schools, especially in the higher realms of education, the professors never pass an opportunity to slur or to belittle the Bible. They are trying for a total eclipse of the student’s faith in the God of the Bible; and their effort is, like Satan’s, an unrelenting effort. “Professing themselves to be wise they became fools” (Rom. 1:22). They aim at shame in the student; but Romans 1:16 is still true, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” If our children can see that Christianity is intelligent, workable, practical, and enjoyable, they will the tools to combat that “fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph. 6:16). And, it is our own unselfish efforts that can give to our posterity these value qualities. It is my challenge; it is your challenge! Will we accept this challenge? May heave help us to see it, and may we have the strength and courage to do it!

Young people, I ask you a question, “Shall the religion of Jesus Christ perish from the earth? Shall the church for which Jesus died (Acts 20:28) cease to exist? Shall that system of faith based solely upon the gospel of Jesus Christ bid the world farewell?” You may ask, “Do I need to answer that? What is it to me?” Indeed you must answer it, and it is everything to you! Do you not realize that all these things will soon rest in young hands?

A few years ago a speaker walked to the stage to speak to the student body of the University of Arizona. He began by saying, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” I shall not, here, say that to you, for it may or may not be true. A great deal depends upon what you are inside and in what determination you have for the future. I do, however, challenge you to think of the future of the church, that institution that was purchased with the blood that flowed from Calvary. The future of that church is, or soon will be, in your hands. How will it fare?

Young people, grow up with a faith in the Bible (and its God), a faith that all the powers of hell cannot shake; when the time comes, instill that faith in your posterity; and, after you are long gone, you will still be thought of as a great man or a great woman. Christianity is a proper goal, a reasonable way of life. Such will bring greater happiness here; and it is the only path from earth to heaven! I am confident that Solomon had all this in mind when he said, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Eccl. 12:1). God bless you; and, I thank you!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 307, 312
May 16, 1985

By Mike Willis

Critics have often misrepresented members of the church of Christ, saying that members do not believe the Old Testament. Nevertheless, the position which members of the church hold toward the Old Testament is different from that which is typical of denominationalism. Denominationalism does not recognize the divinely-revealed change in covenants; consequently, some of the things authorized and practiced under Old Testament law are brought into modem church practice.

Let us study the Scriptures to see the role of the Old Testament. However, before going too far, I want to dismiss the charge that “members of the church of Christ do not believe the Old Testament.” The Old Testament was given by the inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Pet. 1:21). As a revelation from God, it is inerrant. Those who say that we do not believe the Old Testament misunderstand what we teach and, consequently, misrepresent us.

Not Living Under Monk Law

The Old Testament law was given by God to the nation of Israel. When Moses gave the Ten Commandments, he said, “The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, who are all of us here alive this day” (Deut. 5:2-3). Those who know their Bible history will remember that God gave His law to Israel at Mount Sinai after delivering them from Egyptian bondage. The divine revelation was a unique treasure to Israel (Rom. 9:4; 3:2).

The covenant with Israel was given for a definite period-until the promised Messiah should come to the earth (Gal. 3:19). When Jesus came, He gave a new covenant to the world (cf. Jer. 31:31-14; Heb. 8:9-13). When this new covenant was given, Israel was no longer obligated to obey the Mosaic ordinances (Eph. 2:14-15; Col. 2:14-17). Both Israelite and Gentile are subject to Christ and His law (Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20). The Jewish person has no privileged status with God; if he is going to be saved, he must obey the same gospel as the Gentile.

Usage Of The Old Testament

1. The Old Testament reveals sin and God’s attitude toward it. Paul said, “Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet” (Rom. 7:6). Paul learned that coveting was sinful by God revealing His will in the Old Testament. Through the law is “the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20).

Not only did the Bible reveal what was and was not sinful, it also displayed God’s attitude toward sin. God’s displeasure toward sin was manifested in Genesis 3. Other Old Testament records document His willingness to punish sin, including such things as the Flood (Gen. 6-8), the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19), the death of Nadab and Abihu,(Lev. 10:1-2), etc. From the Old Testament record, we can learn that sin is the transgression of the law of God (1 Jn. 3:4) and that sin will be punished by God (Rom. 6:23).

2. The Old Testament reveals God’s work to bring the Messiah to redeem man from sin. The Old Testament predicts the coming of the Lord’s Messiah. The selection of Abraham and Israel was part of God’s work to bring the Messiah into the world. The prophets foretold that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 12:3) and David (2 Sam.-23,1-7), born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14), perform miracles (Isa. 35), suffer for the sins of man (Isa. 53), establish His kingdom (Dan. 2:44), etc. As we read the Old Testament, we can see God’s work in bringing this promise to fulfillment.

3. The Old Testament is an example for us. Writing regarding examples of apostasy from the Old Testament, Paul said, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted . . . . Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the en ds of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:6,11). The history of Israel in the wilderness records many sins which Israel committed and God’s punishment for those sins. These apostasies of Israel warn us: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

4. The Old Testament encourages us. Paul also wrote, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). The Old testament Scriptures were written for our benefit today; we need to study and learn their great messages. Through reading them, we learn’to persevere through trial as did Job, to have the courage of Daniel, to trust in the providence of God like Esther, to walk with God like Enoch, and to be a man after God’s own heart like David. Learning the character and nature of God gives us comfort and hope.

There are other usages of the Old Testament which we have not mentioned. Men err when they neglect the study of the Old Testament.

Improper Usage Of The Old Testament

Though there are many good usages of the Old Testament, there are also some improper usages of it. We need to be just as aware of them as we are of the good usages of it.

1. The Old Testament is not a covenant by which we live. There are many things taught and accepted in the Old Testament which would not tolerated under the law of Christ. The spiritual law of Israel taught and commanded animal sacrifice; the moral.law of Israel tolerated polygamy; the civil law of Israel had many ordinance’s which are not followed by any civil government today. The Law of Moses was given to the nation of Israel for a limited period of time.

2. The Old Testament is not a means of salvation today. The Old Testament revealed God’s grace to those under the law of Moses. Those men were saved by faith, not by a system of perfect obedience (Rom. 4:6-8). David, for example, could not be justified by a system of perfect obedience; rather, he received the forgiveness of God, divine grace, when he complied with the conditions of the Old Testament for receiving grace.

The Jews of the first century, rejected the Messiah-the Lord’s appointed sacrifice for sin. Having rejected the blood of Christ as the grounds for forgiveness, they were left with nothing but the Old Testament law-a law with the divinely revealed grace removed from it. Their only means of justification, therefore, was perfect compliance with the statutes of that law. Furthermore, with the change in law, the conditions for receiving God’s grace were also changed. The one who does not comply with the conditions will not receive God’s grace. Paul assured the Jews who rejected Christ as the all-sufficient sacrifice for sin that they could not be justified by law (i.e., perfect law keeping). Paul wrote, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28). “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal. 3:10).

Inasmuch as the Christ has come, men cannot be saved by obeying the law of Moses. The Lord has replaced the Old Testament covenant of grace which was given to Israel with a superior covenant of grace which is given to every manthe gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who try to be justified by the law of Moses reject the grace in Jesus Christ and cannot be saved (Gal. 5:4).

3. The Old Testament does not provide authority for religious,practice today. The Old Testament did provide authority for the worship of the people of Israel, during the period it was binding. Those who introduced things into the worship of Israel during that period without divine authority as revealed in the Old Testament were guilty of sin before God (cf. 1 Kgs. 12:25-33).

Now men are living under the law of Christ. What is revealed in the law of Christ is what men are obligated to obey. To introduce into the worship, work, or mission of the church anything not authorized by the law of Christ is a transgression of Jesus’ will (Col. 2:21-22; Matt. 15:8-9; Rev. 22:18-29).

Many things have been introduced into the church for which Old Testament authority is cited. Some churches have a separate priesthood, citing Old Testament authority for the practice, although their priests are not of Levitical descent; others use the Old Testament to authorize the burning of incense; others use the Old Testament to teach that Christians must observe the Sabbath, although the Old Testament regulations describing how the Sabbath is to be observed are ignored; others authorize their usage of mechanical instruments of music and their choirs by the Old Testament. This is a misuse of the Old Testament. The Old Testament is not a smorgasbord of worship entrees from which every man selects what is palatable to his own taste!

Conclusion

The church of Jesus Christ must subject itself to the will of Christ, which is revealed in the gospel. We should rejoice that we have the superior grace and worship of the New Testament, rather than looking back to the Old Testament with longing eyes for such things as a separate priesthood, burning incense, Sabbath observance, and other things which were a part of a worship system that the Lord chose to abolish.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 290, 308-309
May 16, 1985

By Larry Ray Hafley

I. Introduction:

A. Every conversion to Christ from Pentecost to the present has been effected and consummated as a result of the operation or working of the Holy Spirit upon the sinner.

1. Notice. We do not deny the fact of the operation of the Holy Spirit upon the sinner.

2. All aspersions or inferences that we do not believe in the working of the Holy Spirit to convict and convert the sinner are palpably and obviously false! See John 16:8.

B. The issue is not, “Does the Holy Spirit act to convict and convert the sinner?” The question is, “How, or in what manner, does the Holy Spirit exercise His influence upon the sinner?”

1. Does he operate on the sinner, a passive recipient, directly?

2. Does he work on the sinner through means of the word?

C. Our Proposition: The Scriptures teach that in the conviction and conversion of the sinner the Holy Spirit operates only through the word of God.

D. Definition of Propositional Terms:

1. Scriptures – The Bible, both Old and New Testaments.

2. Teach – Convey the idea, instruct, inform.

3. Conviction – “the act of proving, finding or determining to be guilty” (Webster) Cf. Jn. 16:8 and Titus 1:9.

4. Conversion – “a turning from and a turning to” (Vine). Cf. Acts 3:19, 153; 1 Thess. 1:9; Psa. 19:7; Jas. 5:19, 20. Illustrations: Corn is converted to bread, rose petals to perfume, wood to paper.

5. Sinner – unsaved, unforgiven, lost person; as in 1 Tim. 1:15.

6. Holy Spirit – A divine person, separate and distinct from the Father and the Son, yet one with them. See Jn. 14:26.

7. Operates – works, acts, functions.

8. Only – alone, singly, without another.

9. Through – by means of.

10. Word of God – the gospel, the faith, the doctrine of the Lord (Acts 13:7, 8, 12; 1 Thess. 2:2, 4, 13).

II. Discussion:

A. The man, the axe, and the tree; the Holy Spirit, the word, and the sinner.

1. No one denies that a man chops down a tree when he does so by means of an axe.

2. So, it is with the Holy Spirit in the conversion of the sinner (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Psa. 19:7; Rom. 1: 16; 8:2).

3. Old Testament Testimony:

a. Nehemiah 9:20 – The Spirit instructed them. How?

(1) “By thy Spirit in thy prophets” (Neh. 9:30).

(2) “He sent prophets . . . they testified” (2 Chron. 24:19-21).

(3) They mocked the messengers, despised God’s words, misused His prophets (2 Chron. 36:14-16; Dan. 9:10; Jer. 11:10).

(4) This is called resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51).

b. What the prophets said, the Holy Spirit said.

(1) 2 Sam. 23:2 – “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.”

(2) Acts 1: 16 and Mk. 12:36 – The Lord and the apostle Peter approve and accord David’s claim.

(3) The Hebrew writer:

(a) He quotes from a Psalm of David (Psa. 95:7-11).

(b) He says, “the Holy Ghost saith” (Heb. 3:7).

(c) He says God said “in David” (Heb. 4:7).

4. New Testament Witness

a. The Holy Spirit’s influence is exerted and exercised through the word of the Spirit. This is the declaration of:

(1) Paul – Eph. 3:3-5; 1 Cor. 2:7-13; 14:37.

(2) Peter – 1 Pet. 1:10-12.

(3) John – Rev. 1:19; 3:6; 1 Jn. 4:1, 6.

b. In the scheme of redemption, whatever is ascribed to the office or work of the Holy Spirit is also accredited to the gospel, the word of God.

Holy Spirit	Work	Gospel
1. Jn. 14:26	Teach	2 Tim. 3:16, 17
2. Jn. 16:8	Convict	Titus 1:9
3. Jn. 3:5	Begat	1 Pet. 1:23 Jas. 1:18
4. Jn. 6:63	Quicken	1 Cor. 4:15
5. 1 Pet. 1:2   1 Cor. 6:11	Sanctify	2 Thess. 3:13, 14; Jn. 17:17
6. 1 Cor. 6:11   Titus 3:5 1 Cor. 6:11	Save   Wash	Jas. 1:21   Acts 11:14 Eph. 5:25, 26

c. Specific New, Testament Statements.

(1) “By the foolishness of preaching” the Spirit given word (1 Cor. 1:18-21; 2:7-13).

(2) Faith comes by hearing the word of the Spirit (Rom. 10:17; Jn. 17:20; cf. Acts 14:1; Jn. 20:30, 31; Acts 15:7).

(3) The Devil knows the Spirit’s word will produce faith and salvation (Lk. 8:11, 12; cf. 1 Thess. 2:16).

d. Specific New Testament Cases.

(1) Jn. 16:8 – The Holy Spirit to convict the world.

(2) But How does He do it?

(a) Acts 2:4, 14, 22, 36-41 – Through words of Spirit.

(b) Preaching the gospel “with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven” (1 Pet. 1: 12), Peter:

(1) Convicted men of murder (Acts 3:13-15).

(2) Urged them repent and turn (Acts 3:19).

(3) Told of forgiveness in Christ (Acts 3:26).

Result. “Many of them which heard the word believed” (Acts 4:4).

Conclusion: The Spirit convicted and converted them through the word (Cf. Jn. 16:8; 17:20).

(c) Acts 7:51 – This audience resisted the Holy Spirit who was trying to convict and convert them.

(1) How did they resist the Holy spirit?

(2) By refusing the word (Acts 16:10; 7:55). they “stopped their ears” (cf. Acts 13:44-46).

(d) Other New Testament cases of conversion all of which were produced by the Spirit through the word (Mt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 1:15, 16; Lk. 24:47).

(1) Samaritans – “Believed preaching” (Acts 8:12).

(2) Treasurer – “Preached Jesus” (Acts 8:35).

(3) Saul – “Shall be told thee” (Acts 9:6).

(4) Cornelius – “Tell thee words” (Acts 11:14).

(5) Lydia – “Attended unto words” (Acts 16:14).

(6) Jailor – “Spake, unto them the word” (Acts 16:32).

(7) Corinthians – “Hearing believed” (Acts 18:8).

(8) Bereans – “Received the word” (Acts 17:11, 12.)

(9) Ephesians – “Trusted after heard” (Eph. 1:13).

B. Objections to the Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit separate and apart from the word of God.

1. It makes God responsible for every lost person. If it takes a direct work of the Spirit to make a man fit or able to obey the gospel, then all who are lost are lost because God did not act.,on them. This makes God a respector of persons and denies that .he desires the salvation of all mankind (Acts 10:34, 35; 2 Pet. 3:9).

2. No person has ever been found who was saved, born again, where the gospel has not gone (cf. Jonah and Rom. 10:14).

3. Direct working of the Spirit never changed a man’s nature.

a. Baalam prophesied by the Spirit, but it did not change his sinful ways (2 Pet. 2:15; Num. 31:16).

b. Saul prophesied by the Spirit of God, but it did not alter his desire to kill David (1 Sam. 19).

4. No New Testament passage commands, exemplifies, or infers that a special working of the Spirit separate and apart from the word was ever necessary to save anyone.

5. It denies the all-sufficiency of the gospel as God’s power unto salvation.

a. Water is God”s power to quench thirst.

b. The gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).

c. If it takes something other than or in addition to the gospel:

(1) The gospel is not sufficient.

(2) The gospel is not the all powerful sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 1 Tim. 4:16).

III. Conclusion:

A. Our proposition is established – the gospel is the means by which the Holy Spirit acts to achieve the conviction and conversion of the sinner.

B. The Spirit’s work through the word sets forth the highest and holiest motives to reconcile sinful men unto his Righteous Redeemer.

1. God commands faith (Heb. 11:6), and He provides a sufficient and perfect revelation to produce it (Rom. 10:17).

2. God demands repentance (Acts 17:30), and He uses the appeal of goodness and the approach of severity to induce it (Rom. 2:4; Acts 24:25; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).

3. God commends baptism (Acts 2:38; 10:48), and He works in forgiving sins when one submits (Col. 2:11-13).

4. God will do His part if you will do yours (Jn. 6:37; Mt. 11:28-39; Heb. 5:8, 9).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 294-295
May 16, 1985

By Herschel E. Patton

The apostle Paul, referring to his heritable advantages, training, and zealous activities in a popular cause said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Phil. 3:7).

Such sacrifice and conviction have been in the past, and still are, demonstrated today. One such case involves a young couple who were “missionaries” in Scotland.

Last year, Regina Green (daughter of Ken Green) and Phillip McGahey fell in love and were married. This marriage was viewed with apprehension by both families and others. Phillip had been brought up under strong “liberal” influences and was educated to evangelize in a foreign field, under the sponsoring church system. His father is an elder in a large liberal church in Tennessee which was the “sponsoring church” for Phillip as he preached in Scotland. Regina, on the other, hand, was the daughter of a popular, effective, sound preacher who has successfully exposed the unscripturalness of liberalism and, therefore, greatly influenced by “anti-ism,” as liberals view it.

Despite these differing backgrounds, – Phillip and Regina married and went to Scotland. Soon, things done by the brethren there and endorsed by their sponsoring church caused doubts in Phillip’s mind, resulting in his making a thorough study of “the Issues.” The result was a change of convictions, a complete break with his sponsoring church, and a return to the States. After making this break, even if the sponsoring church had been willing to fly them back to the States, Phillip had already informed them he could no longer accept support from the “sponsoring church” system. Knowing the deepness of conviction and sacrifice made, the Jordan Park church here in Huntsville is flying Phillip and Regina back to the States, where we believe they can be of great worth to the cause of truth. In a letter to the Jordan Park church, Phillip tells of his changed convictions and actions.

To the elders and brethren at Jordan Park,

Regina and I want to just express our thanks to you all for helping us out in this time of need. There are no words that can express our gratitude for what you are doing for us.

This decision we have made is probably the hardest thing that we have ever done, but it was the only right thing to do. Jesus said in Luke 14.25ff that, if your family is more important than Jew, then you cannot be His disciple, if you are not willing to bear the burden of the cross then you cannot be His disciple, and finally Jesus said if the pleasures of this world mean more to you than He does that you cannot be His disciple. We wanted to be His disciples so we gave it all up for Him.

I would like to take some space to tell you brethren about my decision and how it came about. About seven months ago Regina and I came to Scotland to do mission work. Before we came, there were several weeks that I studied the issues that have divided the church, not really knowing what the issues were. I read some one-sided material on the subject and was convinced that what I believed was right 77tere was even one Sunday when I stood up and preached against what I now believe to be right. I had no doubts about it until I sat down over lunch one day to talk about this with Robert Jackson and Ken Green. We did not talk very long. I would not listen to them because my mind was already prejudiced against what they had to say, but they did show me how the sponsoring church arrangement was not found in the Bible.

I went away thinking that I needed to just study my view a bit more. A few weeks later, in Franklin, Tennessee, I heard a sermon on Bible authority preached by my brother Ward Hogland. That was the first time in my life that I had ever heard a sermon preached on Bible authority, and it frightened me. It frightened me because brother Ward showed why the churches of Christ are divided. They are divided because of Bible authority. That sermon really had me thinking. Later I again talked with brother Green and also Ed Harrell.

By the time we left for Scotland. I had pushed all of my fears and thoughts to the back of my mind, hoping they would go away. I was actually afraid to study both sides of these issues. months went by as Regina and I settled in, hem in Scotland, and on several occasions we would talk about it.

It was during the month of December that I once again started to think on these issues. The brethren here had a church-sponsored Christmas Party. I openly objected to it at the business meeting and questions were asked of me that I did not want to answer. My objection was that we could not find where the church ever celebrated Christmas or paid for a party and bought gifts for children. They immediately put me on the spot so 1just asked them where it was in the Bible. They did not answer but asked if I objected to expedients and other things that were not in the Bible.

I was so disturbed that I began to study more and more to see why I had objected. It was because there was no Bible authority. I studied more and found there was also no authority for sponsoring churches and human institutions. I found out the Bible tells me that the church is all-sufficient to accomplish the work that God gave it to do on the local level.

I was shocked at what I had learned, so I began to call Ken Green and ask him if that is what he believed and he said yes. I called him on several occasions.

Then when I was convinced I was right, I had to do the hard part-tell my parents, sponsoring church, and supporting churches about what I now believe. It was so hard to do, but I had to ask myself if I wanted to be a disciple of Jesus or not.

If it were not for you brethren, I would not be able to come back to the States. My sponsoring church is still sending me money even though I have told them not to. I will not take it, but send it back to them.

We now realize that the situation we have been in is sinful. Please pray for us and forgive us for giving in this unscriptural situation of a sponsoring church. We want to come home and do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

We are selling our house, furniture, and car. Please pray for us that they will sell quickly. We are going to come home the last week in March even if our house hasn’t sold because we do not want to be a burden to the church.

We love you all so much.

In the love of the Lord,

Phillip and Regina

Phillip is scheduled to preach at both services at Jordan Park Sunday, March 31. 1 believe brethren who are interested in scripturalness and soundness will want to encourage this young couple, who have sacrificed so much, in every way they can. Churches in need of a preacher or who can use the services of Phillip in any way, may get in touch with him through Ken Green (4605 Dyshel Dr. S.W., Huntsville, AL 35805, Phone 837-1943).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 291-292
May 16, 1985