Truth Magazine

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

By Ron Daly

On the opposite page of this journal is an article written by Jerry Weller of Moulton, Iowa in response to an article I wrote which appeared in the Vol. 28, No. 21 (November 1, 1984) issue of Guardian of Truth. My article proved by the Scriptures the sinfulness of special groups singing to,,for or in the assemblies of the churches of Christ. In the same article, the matter of congregational, mid-week collections was discussed and declared to be unauthorized by the New Testament Scriptures!

In seeking to give “divine” authority for “special groups or soloists,” my respondent says, “The answer (i.e. his alleged proof for special groups to sing for the church, RD) is surprisingly easy to find.” He cites I Corinthians 14:26 as “proof.” We ask, does the text cited provide authority for “special group singing and soloists” to perform for the assembled ones? The answer is absolutely not! The same Scripture mentions “a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, and an interpretation.” Therefore, 1 Corinthians 14:26 is discussing gifts of the Spirit-supernatural manifestations. This text does not set divine precedent for us to follow. Its application is limited. The context shows that the meeting described in the text is unlike any we have today.

My friend then says, “If it is right for one man to teach us, it is right for one man to sing to us I” He is assuming the point which he is obligated to prove. There is authority provided in the New Testament for “special group singing” in the assembly, the practice of such will continue to be a perversion, not provision!

Regarding the issue of the collection he says, “1Corinthians 16:2 deals with a special offering (the offering for needy Jerusalem Christians). This verse has no application to the usual collections . . .” Question: Does my kind friend contribute into a congregational treasury on the first day of the week? If so, which New Testament text provides the authority? Surely, he cannot say that 1 Corinthians 16:2 provides authority for according to him, “This verse has no application (emp. mine) to the usual collections. ” Which text provides the authority for the “usual collections”? Friends, the truth is that 1 Corinthians 16:2 sets forth God’s will as to how the needs of the saints are to be met. This is the only text in the New Testament of Christ which specifies God’s appointed day for collecting funds in order to satisfy the needs of the saints in doing the will of God. The text does not contain all that God says about how to spend the money collected. The local church may scripturally function in three areas, viz. evangelism, benevolence, and the building up of the saints. 1 Corinthians 16:2 informs us as to how these activities must be financed! How? “Upon the first day of every week let each one of you lay by him in store.” God’s way is the best and only way!

He asks, “Are we to suppose the giving in Acts 2:45 was limited to the first day of the week? Did Barnabas lay his gift at the Apostles’ feet on Sunday? Was Ananias and Sapphira’s gift offered on the first day of the week?” Neither text refers to congregational collections. I have a question for my friend, which of the two texts refers to congregational action, 1 Corinthians 16:2 and/or Act 2:45? Next, which sets the precedent as to “how” the church may “raise” its money in order to do its work? If you answer Acts 2:45, 1 ask, may the church go into business? If not, why not? If you answer 1 Corinthians 16:2, I ask why do you see a binding “method” of “raising” money in 1 Corinthians 16:2, but not a binding “day” as to when the money is to be raised? But, remember according to you, “1 Corinthians 16:2 . . . has not application to the usual collections Is the church limited to its method of “raising” money”? If so, the congregation is also limited by the Scriptures as to when it may collect money!

I wonder if my respondent would agree with the following statement: “Eating the Lord’s Supper on days other than the first day of the week is not perversion; God has made provision for eating the Lord’s Supper at any time.”

Friends, God has specified the “first day of the week” as His appointed time for both the Lord’s Supper and the collection (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 24, p. 743
December 20, 1984

By Jerry Weller

A recent article, I ‘Perversions in Me Worship of Many Local Congregations” by Ron Daly calls for an answer. Let’s consider the two issues raised in the article.

What About Group Singing?

The question, “Where is the Divine authority for special singing groups or soloists?” is worth considering. The answer is surprisingly easy to find.

1 Corinthians 14:26 describes worship in the Corinthian church. The passage says, “. . .when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” While many things were wrong in Corinth, Paul does not condemn the things listed in this passage. he only admonishes them to be sure that they do these things unto the edifying of the congregation.

In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul forecasts the day when three of the things in v. 26 would cease. These items are tongues, revelation, and interpretation (of a miraculous nature). The other two continue to this day. If it is right for one man to teach, it is right for one man to sing to us I We are to sing one to another. We may sing one to another be that one to the group, or a group to a group, or mutually in congregational singing.

Group singing is not a perversion; it is a Divine provision.

What About “First-Day-of-the-Week-Only” Collections?

The article maintained that it was unscriptural, denominational and sinful to take up collections on days other than the first day of the week. The passage used to back up this bold assertion was 1 Corinthians 16:2.

1 Corinthians 16:2 deals with a special offering (the offering for needy Jerusalem Christians). This verse has no application to the usual collections. It is a gross perversion of Scripture to assert from this passage that offerings must be received on Sunday or not at all.

Are we to suppose the giving in Acts 2:45 was limited to the first day of the week? Did Barnabas lay his gift at the apostles’ feet on Sunday? Was Ananias and Sapphira’s gift offered on the first day of the week?

Let us remember that there is no New Testament record of the church ever receiving an offering on the first day of the week to be used in the way usual offerings are used by churches of Christ today (i.e. to pay for buildings, utilities, salaries, etc.). We do not sin when we take up such an offering. God wants the church supported. He has told us he wants Christians to give. We are at liberty to give whenever we wish to the church. Worship is an act of adoration and honor. God has not restricted or limited giving to a special time in the New Testament. We may give to Him at any time just as we may sing to Him at any time.

Offerings taken on days other than the first day are not perversions; God has made provision for giving at any time.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 24, p. 742
December 20, 1984

By Mike Willis

Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (2:5). As Christians, we need to imitate the example of Jesus Christ in His attitudes and dispositions. Many of the problems of internal unity in local congregations are not doctrinally related; they are caused by brethren who have the wrong attitudes toward one another. Let us consider some of the attitudes which are necessary for unity.

Attitudes Necessary For Unity

1. Lowliness of mind. Paul wrote, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3). The lowliness of mind which is here commanded is not a mind which wallows in moral filth; rather it is humility. The opposite to lowliness of mind is high-mindedness, arrogance, or pride. In the beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).

Many problems are created in local congregations by arrogant and proud men who are self-willed. They think that their ideas are the best; they think their way of doing something is the only way in which it can be done. If they do not get their way, they act like a spoiled child who pouts, throws a temper tantrum, or runs off somewhere else.

Humility will enable us “to esteem other better than themselves.” One man said, “There is a little good in the worst of us and a little bad in the best of us.” In a congregation, there are always brethren and sisters with strengths and weaknesses of character. I should look for the strong points in the other’s character, remembering the weaknesses in my own. I can improve myself by imitating the strengths in the character of others. One may provide me a good example in showing hospitality; another may demonstrate kindness and gentleness; another may emphasize the necessity of a disciplined fife; another may be strong in assisting those who need help; another may be nearly expert in biblical knowledge. I can profit from associating with each of these my brethren, genuinely esteeming him better than myself.

2. Unselfishness. Another attitude necessary for internal unity is unselfish conduct. Paul wrote, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4). He was not teaching me to covet the material possessions, of my brother. Rather, he was teaching me to be concerned about what is best for him.

If every member of the church had this attitude and disposition, my own self-interests would be better served than when I am the only one interested in my own welfare. If every member of the church is looking out for the best interests of the other members, rather than in his own best interests, every member will be concerned about every other member. In a congregation of 100 members, 99 will be looking out for my best interests. How much better that will be for me than if I alone am looking out for my self-interests, and 99 others are unconcerned about my interests.

Furthermore, when 100 people are solely concerned about their own self-interests, these self-interests lead in different directions. My self-interests will conflict with another’s self-interests. Internal division and conflict will occur. Paul’s solution is for me to be concerned about you and you to be concerned about me.

Jesus provided us the best example. Paul described His unselfish conduct:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phi. 2:5-8).

Jesus left the glories of heaven to become a man. There is nothing that men give up which compares to the self-abnegation and self-sacrifice of Jesus who left the glories of being in the form of God to become a man.

He put the interests of man above His own interests. Had Jesus only been interested in Himself, He would have stayed in heaven. Had He only been interested in Himself, He would have prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, let this cup pass from me; let my will be done, not thine.” That was not His prayer, however, because He placed the interests of each of us above His own self-interests.

Each of us needs to learn to give to the point that we can put others’ needs above our needs. In the marriage relationship, the husband must learn to put the needs of his wife above his own; the wife should place the interests of her husband above her own. This will make a happier home than one in which both are competing to see who can spend the most money on himself, who gets his way, and who serves the other.

In the local church, I should be willing to be as pliable as possible in the realm of judgment to promote the peace and harmony of the church. Whether services begin at 10:00 or 9:45 a.m., whether we meet on Wednesday or Thursday evening, whether we invite one faithful evangelist or another to hold our gospel meeting, and many other judgmental decisions should not be areas which disrupt the unity of the church. We can work together to promote the kingdom of God without contention and strife.

Conclusion

The Lord wants us to be lights in the midst of spiritual darkness (Phil. 2:15). Undoubtedly, we are living in an age of spiritual darkness. Men are denying the existence of God and trying to eliminate any recognition and worship of Him in schools, courts, Congress, or any other public place. Men are scornfully mocking the idea of sin, leaving the impression that sinful behavior is acceptable. In the midst of this darkness, Christians should shine like a beacon.

However, the glow is sometimes nearly extinguished by our own inabilities to get along with each other. Our differences are frequently not doctrinal but attitudinal. Because of this, let each of us examine himself to be sure that his attitudes are Christ-like.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 24, pp. 738, 756
December 20, 1984