Truth Magazine

By Bob Saffett

The word “oneness” is defined as “the quality or state or fact of being one, as a. singleness, b. integrity, wholeness, c. harmony, d. sameness, identity, e. unity, union ” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, p. 801). Although the word ” oneness” is not found in the Bible, the concept of the “oneness of the church” is. This can be seen in the claims of the Bible as to the “singleness” of the church and the “unity” that is to be in the church.

First, let us look at the “oneness” of the church in regard to its number. The apostle Paul, in writing to the church at Ephesus, said, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4.4-6). He had said earlier in that same letter, “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in aIP’ (Eph. 1:22-23). From these verses we can safely conclude that there is but one church or body, just as there is but one Lord and one God and Father, and one Spirit.

As we read through the pages of the New Testament, we read of only one church. That there would be but one church is a fact which was clearly established before the church even came into existence. After Peter had made the statement that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God, ” Jesus answered Him saying, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Mt. 16:16-18). Notice that Jesus said that He would build His “church,” not His “churches”! Those who claim otherwise do so without the backing of the Scriptures.

Second, there is the “oneness” of the church in regards to its unity within the body. Recently, there has been a number of appeals for unity among the churches of Christ. That would indeed be a wonderful thing? As the psalmist expressed it, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psa. 133: 1). This should be the desire of each and every child of God, for it is also the desire of our Lord: “I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me. and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us,* that the world may believe that thou didst send Me” (Jn. 17:20-21). But how must this unity be obtained?

This is the problem with many of the appeals for unity. The means often suggested whereby this unity may be attained are contrary to the teachings of the Bible. The denominational world believes that unity can be achieved in spite of the many doctrinal differences which exist among them. Many of our own brethren are now beginning to think in this same way and suggesting that we can have unity in spite of our doctrinal differences I Some have even gone so far as to extend this appeal for unity on these grounds to some of the denominational bodies!

There is only one basis upon which we can appeal for unity. Upon hearing of the divisions that existed in Corinth, the apostle Paul said, “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). Divisions will continue as long as we are unable to agree on these differences and “speak the same things” (KJV)! It is impossible for us to be what the Lord would have us to be and unite ourselves with those who teach and practice things which are contrary to the Word of God. Paul also wrote to the Corinthians: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers, for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Cor. 6:14-15). Unless it is achieved in this manner, there is no real unity!

This, then, is our plea: Let there be but one body, and let that body be one! And let us strive to accomplish this through Bible ways!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 24, p. 747
December 20, 1984

By Luther Martin

In the beginning, the race of man had but one language or speech. Thus, without any “language barrier” mankind was able to plan and work together to accomplish goals that were either good or evil, but evil prevailed.

Genesis 11I tells of a man’s desire to build a tower that would reach to heaven. The builders concluded that they would “make a name for themselves,” by so-doing. Both the Assyrian and Babylonian people were noted for their “ziggurats,” which was a terraced tower in the form of a pyramid. It may be that the Tower of Babel was one of these. In any event, because of their desire to construct for themselves a monument, a project that was purely built to foster their own pride and self-importance, the God of heaven determined to prevent this project from being completed. God did this by “confusing their speech. ” They could no longer communicate among themselves, and this was the beginning of the languages or tongues of men.

The Miracle Of Speaking In Foreign Languages

When the Lord’s church was established in the city of Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost (A.D. 33), one of the noted aids that God provided for His spokesmen, was that of accomplishing “oneness of speech.”

They began “to speak with other tongues” (Acts 2:4). “Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language. And they began to be amazed and to marvel, saying, ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?” (Acts 2:5-8). Then followed a listing of sixteen or more different dialects and languages represented by the Jews who had gathered at Jerusalem.

It had only been a short time before, that Jesus, before His ascension into heaven, had instructed the apostles to go and make disciples of all the nations. This required the ability to communicate in the many different languages with which the apostles were unfamiliar. Mark 16:20 records: “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” One of several signs or evidences of their apostleship was the ability to speak in languages that were unknown to them, and to resist assassination by poisoning or the bite of deadly serpents (Mk. 16:17-20).

As the Lord’s church continued to spread, the ability to teach the gospel to people of other languages became very necessary. But once again, man’s pride contributed to his troubles. The Christians in the congregation at Corinth, to whom the apostles had imparted some “spiritual gifts,” took pride in demonstrating their “gift” or imparted-ability, to speak in another language, to interpret other tongues, or in a proud way, demonstrate some other spiritual gift. So, the apostle Paul found it needful to devote a portion of his first letter to the Corinthians, reprimanding them for their abuse of “spiritual gifts.” Incidentally, the total purpose of miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit was to aid the spread of the gospel of Christ, and its acceptance by those who were taught. The miracles and “gifts” were not to unduly prolong anyone’s life, but to insure that the Apostles would live long enough to take the gospel of Christ to the inhabited world, and this they did!

The Gospel To The English

The religion of Christ was introduced into the British Isles very early, anno domini, possibily as early as the second century. There was no Bible as yet, in the Saxon language. Religion was spread totally through the oral proclamation of the gospel. Few people could read and write, and as we have already indicated, there were no Bibles in the Saxon language to read. The mixture of dialects of the Vikings, the Danes, the Picts, the Scots, and the Normans served as continuing barriers that complicated communication between the various parts of the British Isles.

It was not until the middle of the seventh century that any material was prepared in the Anglo-Saxon tongue, and then there were episodes from the Bible set in poetic form, by Bede, who preserved some of these as written by a fellow named Caedmon. There were other poets in this century, who covered parts of England and recited or sang their poems relating biblical stories.

The first actual translation of any part of the Scriptures into Anglo-Saxon was done in the early eighth century by Aldhelin. Then Egbert produced a copy of the four gospels in Anglo-Saxon English.

The First English Bible By Wycliffe

John Wycliffe’s life spanned 1320-1384. He was educated at Oxford. He was a long-tenured and popular faculty member at Oxford. In 1366 he spoke out with approval, when the English Parliament refused to send monies to the Pope in Rome. He thus soon became a popular orator, reformer, and opponent of the Roman Church. By 1380 Wycliffe translated the New Testament into English, and the Old Testament was finished by about 1382. He gathered together a good number of itinerant teachers and preachers who covered England with Wycliffe’s Bible, as well as taught it across the English countryside. These were termed “Loliards” usually by their opponents . . . meaning “one who mumbles.” It is estimated that half of England began to shun the church of Rome and to embrace the teaching of Wycliffe.

Roman Catholic Opposition To The Bible In English

In the year 1408 the “Archbishop of Canterbury,” Arundel by name, decreed that any person be jailed who read Wycliffe’s Bible or his writings in the province of Canterbury. Six years later (1414), it was decreed that all persons who read the Bible in English would lose their lands, cattle, goods, and their lives . . . from their heirs forever. Although Wycliffe’s Bible had to be written by hand, there are still known to be nearly two hundred of them, all written in the first quarter of the fifteenth century.

At this same time, the Papacy in Rome was having its own problems. What was called the “Great Schism” prevailed from 1379 until 1417. During this period, there were occasionally as many as three rival “Popes,” all claiming to be the head of the Roman Church, and each excommunicating the other. There was a series of Popes reigning from Avignon in France. Finally, one faction assembled a “Council” known as the Council of Constance. It was this august body that had Wycliffe’s remains dug up, burned, and his ashes scattered upon the waters of the river Swift. Such was the violence and vehemence of the Roman Catholic Church against the memory of the man who first provided the Bible in the English language to the common people of England. Incidentally, one of the rival popes was named John XXIII (John 23rd). In an effort to erase from history the shame and disgrace of the “Great Schism” as well as their treatment of Wycliffe’s body, another “John 23rd” was elevated to the Papal throne in the mid-twentieth century, and Catholicism now denies that the first Pope John XXIII was ever actually a “Pope.”

Conclusion

The ability to communicate, to teach the Gospel of Christ, is the most important task that is to be shouldered by man. It is God’s plan that faithful men in every generation communicate God’s soul-saving Word to the lost and dying world. Since the invention of printing, the Word of God has been translated and published in some 1,700 different languages and dialects.

Equally important today is the spread of the Gospel of Christ by means of the electronic media, radio and television. But in order for the Gospel to be understood, the study of language and dialects must be pursued diligently. The continuing study of the language of mankind is vital to the continued spread of God’s Word, and thus God’s influence in the world.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 24, pp. 745-746
December 20, 1984

By Jimmy Tuten

“Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (Jn. 4:35). The sentiment of the words of Jesus are echoed in the “open door” passages in the epistles to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:9; 2 Cor. 2:12). There is also a “door of utterance” (Col. 4:3). The “open door” is that which no man can shut save the one confronted with it, for it is the door of opportunity (Rev. 3:8). God makes opportunities, but He expects us to open them. When we have a chance to embrace it, we surely should give it a big hug. Opportunity will not batter the door off its hinges when it knocks. It is man himself who creates his own lack of opportunities.

What is true for man and his opportunities is true for the church. True Christianity is not dead belief, but a vibrant way of life that deeply affects our standard of conduct. One of the essential elements of conduct in our lives is that of teaching others the gospel of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:2). The decrease of conviction regarding abilities to go teach is caused too often by limited knowledge of God’s Word and simple techniques of communicating it. Our impotence thereof is a tragic substitute for obedience as laborers in the Master’s vineyard. This writing concerns itself with opportunities that are ours to teach God’s Word.

Open Doors And Providence

While the success of the gospel depends upon open minds and the state of opinion regarding forces that influence is spread, an “open door” suggests providence. God can and does change things. It is right to pray for opportunities. The apostle Paul prayed that the Colossians would pray for him, “that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ” (Col. 4:3). Dare we do less? Perhaps the very reason things are not more favorable for the growth of the church is our inability to see this need and pray for it. The “fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas. 5:16). Is fervent prayer taken out of context when we pray for open doors of opportunity to teach God’s Word? Or, is it the fear of the responsibility associated with open doors that blinds us to their existence?

Perhaps our lack of growth is due to “me-ism” (concern only with ourselves). Generally speaking, I see the lack of growth in the church as coming from two extremes: The “do-goodism” that the social gospel of the liberals degenerated into (powerless and dying because it is not the power that saves, Rom. 1:16-17) a lifeless form and our own (conservative brethren), “how can I advance my own personal enrichment?” The liberals have moved into lifeless social concerns and we have moved into emphasizing personal advancements. This is one of the greatest contributors to factionalism among us. Until the conservative churches learn to stay off the already-moving wave of narcissism (excessive interest in self) and cease trying to adjust to the tide of “me first,” we will see few opportunities for growth acted upon. We criticize the liberals for their cheapening of the gospel under the foolish guise of relevancy while we fail to set proper scriptural trends in carrying out the great commission. People are tired of spiritual “fluff” and are desirous of spiritual depth. In a Friends meeting house in Cambridge, England there is a sign that reads: “don’t just do something – SIT! ” Sitting, in this context, is not a call for inactivity, but a call to preparation. You and I are going to have to be changed persons before going out to change others. Our lack of personal work (yes, “personal work”) is cutting away our future, the present is collapsing and we are emptied of proper content. Let’s look at some of the opportunities with which we are confronted.

Opportunity: The Gospel, God’s Power

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). Though the mistress of the world (Rome) held the gospel in contempt and Paul faced the prospects of being humiliated as he preached it, he was ready to do so. He knew irst-hand the power of God and could speak from experience. He had seen this dynamite at work among the Jews first, and then the Greeks. “For no word of God shall be void of power” (Lk. 1:37). “The words of eternal life” are words that are “living and active” (Heb. 4:12). The gospel can transform your neighbor and mine if they will receive it with the realization that it is the revelation from God. But this means of salvation is communicated in the form of words. When, and only when we communicate (or teach) this word can it save and transform lives. The minds of men must be filled with the word of God. Paul speaks of the fact that we must mind the things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5). “Mind” in this passage is from the Greek word phroneo, which means “I think.” Psychology’s true axiom is that man acts as he does because he thinks as he does. If he changes his thinking, he will change his action. It is in this that the Word of God can take hold of one’s life. The mental concepts drawn from the Bible directly affect our actions and our actions affect our lives. When we “think” right, when we are guided by true concepts, we will “act” right-the power of God’s word will be evidenced in our lives. We have in our possession the power of God to change lives, but failure to proclaim it results in continued ungodly living that sends people to hell. There is nothing in the whole world like it and proof of its power is seen in every case of conversion (Acts 2; 19; Eph. 2:1-3). It must be applied. If, however, we do not communicate the gospel, its tempest force will never be the experience by mankind. What an opportunity!

Opportunity: Religious Freedom

It goes without saying, but nowhere in the world is religious freedom like that which we have in America. It has not always been so and I fear that it will not always be true for the future. During the Dark Ages, there was no “open Bible.” Yet our current religious freedom is a privilege that so many of our brethren do not take advantage of, and, therefore, do not enjoy to the fullest extent.

If certain bills pending before Congress right now are not reversed, our children will not experience the religious freedom we enjoy. For example: (1) One bill pending before Congress is one that would require churches and other “Christian” organizations to pay for employees’ abortions (Moody Magazine, Sept. 1983). The Fair Insurance Practices Acts, intended as a safeguard against sex discrimination in insurance reimbursements, would require insurers to pay women for expenses incurred in “pregnancy, childbirth, or other related conditions. ” This has been defined by previous c our decisions to include abortion. If this attempt to weave abortion into the national fabric of American life succeeds, your freedom to oppose a national tragedy will be taken away from you (it is estimated that 15 million human beings are being destroyed). (2) In 1969, Congress passed the Tax Reform Act, which for the first time allowed the IRS to tax a church’s unrelated business income. They then obtained authority to audit such churches. While no one opposes the IRS’s authority to expose tax protestor groups and fraudulent churches, such action is dangerously close to violating the First Amendment which prohibits hindrance to the free exercise of religion. The present policy of tax exempt status provides a non-restrictive means for dealing with religion. But the problem is this: IRS agents presume more authority than they may actually hold. And they express extraordinary zeal without appropriate constraints. Two cases in point are: (a) The 1979 unfair and unconstitutional manner in which the IRS handled the audit of Gulf Coast Covenant Church in Mobile, Alabama. They were cleared of any wrong-doing, but only after a three year battle and the spending of more than $100,000 in defense. The progress of this denomination was hindered for several years. (b) More recently, the May 24 ruling concerning the Bob Jones University and Goldsboro Christian Schools in which tax exemption was taken away causes the fears of the loss of religious freedom to mount. If this thing keeps going in the direction it is headed there will not be a church of our Lord in the land that can openly and publicly oppose such things as “Gay Preachers,” women preachers in our pulpits, women in the eldership, etc. We will be forced to admit them into our assemblies, or lose our tax exemption status. (3) Recently in Los Angeles a suit was filed in district court by 16 people, including several clergymen, that charged President Reagan’s proclamation of 1983 as the year of the Bible unconstitutional. What they object to is the President’s statement that the Bible is “the pre-eminent text of the whole nation” (Moody Magazine, Sept., 1983). If the trends continue, how long will it be before any of us will be able to assert our belief in God’s Word?

Brethren, I have said all of this to say: do not take your religious freedom for granted. Take advantage of it now and assert yourselves in teaching God’s Word publicly and from house to house. You and I could possibly live to see this opportunity taken away.

Opportunity: Mass Communications

Never in the history of the church have so many means for spreading the gospel been so readily available. There is radio and television, telecommunicators (devices designed to play a recorded message over the telephone to all who might dial a certain number), Bible Call (a device to play a requested tape on 250 various subjects), mass mailing, etc. No single method of communicating the Word of God is a magic solution to our needs, but they do work. Depending upon the location of the church, the funds available and abilities of those involved, any one method will contribute to the overall success of that already being done. Just because a means of teaching is new, or we have never tried it, doesn’t mean that it’s unscriptural. We should be ready to try whatever expediency is available if it will get the job done, as long as the expediency does not violate Scriptures governing such practices. The problem with so many congregations is that they are not keeping up with the times in communications and are still struggling with trite methods that are proven failures. Churches need to practice great flexibility in this field. It is sad, but true, some brethren will oppose and/or discourage the use of overhead- projectors, etc. as a means of teaching. How sad! What are we doing to try to teach a more intelligent or enlightened generation?

Opportunity: Unconverted Souls

There are great masses of unconverted souls who are hungering and thirsting for the truth. Those who are lost involve numerous people who are uncertain about their religious convictions. They know that they are at sea without a compass. There is a yearning for the “old paths” with its true sense of direction. Never have opportunities been greater for growth. Never have fields been whiter and the laborers so few. And brethren talk about “church discipline” being the most neglected command.

Conclusion

Success: is it by accident or by effort? I think you know the answer. But more importantly, will we begin now to prepare ourselves to do the greatest work on earth? Will we get busy and do something? Opportunity has the uncanny habit of favoring those who pay the greatest price of preparation. There are four hinges upon which the gates of opportunity swing: initiative, insight. industry, and integrity. We have the integrity. But what about the other three? Remember, procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 24, pp. 748-749, 751
December 20, 1984

By Titus Edwards

Mother yells, “Take your brother with you!” Out of the house pops a teenager, followed closely by his little brother. What the teenager does, the little boy does too. He hops over a fire hydrant and so does little brother. He jumps up to touch a sign, and so does little brother. Finally, he buys a Coke and so does little brother. This commercial has been running on television lately by the Coca-Cola Company. I am not trying to sell Coke, but I am trying to sell you on the importance of your influence!

Everybody has influence. Some have more than others. Some people’s influence is for good and some is for bad, but everybody has influence. By influence we simply mean the power to produce effects on other people. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Rom. 14:7). Even though you may be young does not mean that you do not have any influence. “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Prov. 20:11).

In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul wrote to his young preacher friend, Timothy. He said, “Let no man despise thy youth.” To despise involves thinking little of or lightly of a person. How do you keep people from thinking little of you because you are young? Paul went on to say how – “but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith: in purity.” Set a good example before others of what a Christian is supposed to be, that is what Paul is saying!

Paul, in 1 Timothy 4:12, lists six areas where Timothy needed to be an example. First, is word. This is our speech, our conversation. You can tell a lot about a person by listening to him. Indeed, our speech doth betray us at times. Second, is conversation. This involves the way you live in general, your manner of life. Third, comes charity. Charity is love. Having a good attitude is so important in influencing others for good. Fourth, comes spirit. I believe he is referring to zeal and enthusiasm when it comes to the Lord’s service. Fifth, comes faith. Faith involves a full commitment to the Lord, not just a bryllo cream religion – “a little dab will do you. ” Then finally, comes purity. You can never be a good example for others while evil and wickedness are in your life.

What is your life saying to others? Does it say, “I really care about God and going to heaven.” “I want to do right and be humble and kind to others. ” Or does it say, “I want to have a good time and be one of the guys.” “I am really with it.” “I know what’s happening in the world.”

Recognizing that you can influence others for good by the example you set should do two things. One, it should change your life. Understand that others are watching your life to see what you will do. Be a leader spiritually. Help other people to do right by what you do. Secondly, it will change other people’s lives. Goodness can be just as influential and contagious as evil. You may just help somebody find heaven because they see you looking for itl

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Prov. 22:1). “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). As the Statue of Liberty holds forth the torch, representing liberty, so you as a Christian . shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life. . .” (Phil. 2:15-16). Remember, you wear the name of Christ. Don’t tarnish it. There just may be a little boy following you!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 24, p. 744
December 20, 1984