Truth Magazine

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

By Thomas N. Thrasher

Jude 14 says . . . .. Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.” Premillennialists assert that this statement refers to the return of the righteous to the earth at the end of the so-called “rapture” period. However, I deny this is the proper teaching of this verse. The Bible never mentions the “rapturing” of the righteous with their return to this earth after seven years. Who, then, are these “saints”?

Some Observations

1. The verse mentions “saints.”

2. These “saints” will accompany the Lord at His coming.

3. There will be “ten thousands” of them.

4. The purpose for this coming will be to “execute judgment.

“Saints” Are “Holy Ones”

The word “saints” is from a form of the Greek word, hagios, which means “holy” (Machen, p. 255; Davis, p. 255). This meaning is easily seen by consulting different translations of Jude 14:

A.S. V.: “ten thousands of his holy ones”

N.A.S.B. “many thousands of His holy ones”

R. S. V.: “his holy myriads”

Berry’s Interlinear: “his holy myriads”

Therefore, these mentioned are “holy ones.” In the New Testament, hagias is used several times in referring to angels; they are “holy angels”!

Matthew 25:31 “the holy angels”

Mark 8:38 “the holy angels”

Luke 9:26 “the holy angels”

Acts 10:22 “an holy angel”

Revelation 14:10 “the holy angels”

It is quite natural, then, to understand that the term “saints” (holy ones) in Jude 14 refers to the holy angels of God.

Angels Will Accompany The Lord At His Coming

As further evidence to this conclusion, let us observe that Jude 14 states: “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.” The word “with” refers to “accompaniment” (as in Luke 14:3 1; Robertson’s Word Pictures, VI, p. 193). That angels will accompany the Lord when He comes again is easily learned from the Bible:

Matthew 16:27 — “the Son of man shall come . . . with his angels”

Matthew 25:31 — “the Son of man shall come . . . and all the holy angels with him”

Mark 8:38 — “the Son of man . . . cometh . . . with the holy angels”

2 Thessalonians 1:7 — “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels”

“Ten Thousands” Of Angels Will Come

God has many angels: “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels” (Heb. 12:22). In John’s description of the heavenly scene, he heard “the voice of many angels . . . and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Rev. 5:11). Jude 14 says, “ten thousands.” The original word is muriasin, which is rendered “myriads” in several translations. When the Lord comes, all of His angels will come with Him (Matt. 25:31).

This Coming Is To “Execute Judgment”

Jude 14-15 states that this coming of the Lord with His “holy ones”is “to execute judgment upon all”! God’s word declares that the angels will be involved in this: “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire” (Matt. 13:41-42). “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire” (vv. 49-50). Hence, when the Lord comes with His angels, these angels will be involved in His executing judgment on mankind.

Conclusion

The “saints” of Jude 14 are the angels of God who will accompany the Lord at His coming to judge the world.

Are you prepared for this great event? If you are not a faithful Christian, I urge you to humbly obey the commands of the One who died for you, that you may one day hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, p. 297
May 16, 1985

By Raymond Harris

Sometime ago, two members of the U.S. Ho . use of Representatives were censured by their fellow representatives for improper sex acts committed three and ten years ago. After such a long time, likely both thought their sins were far behind them and they would never be found out.

This reminds us of a fault common to the nature of mankind. Throughout history, weak, stumbling mankind has deluded himself into thinking that if he can hide and cover up his sin, all will be well. Such is not the case. We may hide our sins from our fellow mortals, but – there is always God! In Numbers 32:23 it is written, “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

We are constantly hearing of crimes that were committed 10, 15 or even 20 years ago that are solved. Truly our mischief has a way of catching up with us. But, if we hide and even forget our sins there is the matter of “judgment to come.”

Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

Further, Jesus said, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12).

And, Solomon wrote, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:14).

We all desperately need to learn that the dark of night, deception or even the ability to forget sin does not remove sin. All sin is against God and God alone has the right to determine the terms of forgiveness.

To the non-Christian, He commands faith (Heb. 11:6), repentance (Acts 1:30), confession of the deity of Jesus (Matt. 10:32) and baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

To the erring child of God He commands repentance (Acts 8:22), confession of sins (I John 1:9-2-1), and prayer (Acts 8:22; James 5:16).

Truly, man must answer to God for his sins I They cannot be hid from the Almighty. But, if we will submit to God’s terms, He is anxious to forgive. Remember, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, p. 303
May 16, 1985