Truth Magazine

By Irven Lee

Our Lord warned us of false teachers and of doctrines of men (Matt. 7:15; 16:12). The sin most often condemned in the New Testament is the sin of teaching or accepting a doctrine contrary to the doctrine of Christ and His apostles and prophets. The apostles’ doctrine and the doctrine of Christ are identical because the Spirit guided the apostles so that they could bind upon earth that which is bound in heaven.

In this generation, there are preachers for each false doctrine that is abroad in the land. The heretics contradict each other, and they contradict the teachings of Christ. Only those who are blinded by the god of this world can claim that all preachers are right since truth does not contradict truth. Those who say that one way is as good as another – and there are many that do say this – have little faith in God and little respect for His word. If all realized the power of the gospel, there would be none to defend the doctrines of men (read Matt. 15:8-14; Gal. 1:6-10; Rom. 1:16; James 1:21).

Preachers may have attitudes and dispositions that displease God and harm the church. It is also still possible for men to say and do not as it was when the apostles lived (Matt. 23:3; 27, 28). Envy, strife, anger, jealousy, and hate may be found in the hearts of many who stand before audiences to preach. Many who have preached to others will be cast away or rejected at the day of judgment (1 Cor. 9:27).

There may not be two people who are exactly alike physically, but there are some who are almost identical. Many resemble some of their neighbors. If we see a person at a distance, we may mistake him for some other person. I want to tell you about some preachers that I have known. Each one I describe will be very much like dozens of others, so I beg you not to name the men I mention. The men I describe may not be the ones you know. Reader, I am writing about some one else, so do not feel that I am telling on you. Any similarity is purely coincidental. The fact that some one may think that he can see himself in the word picture may cause him to be filled with pride, or he may be offended depending upon the description with which he can identify.

One preacher that lived several decades to bless my life and that of many others had a rather conspicuous impediment of speech. Through conviction and a strong desire to preach, he made the public proclamation of the word his life’s work. It is the truth that saves rather than the special skill in diction on the part of the speaker. Let us be lovers of good men even if they have problems in enunciation.

One man had great skill in expressing himself, but his wife could prove in the court by the testimony of the elders where he preached that he was a fornicator. He continued to preach being favored by the good graces of some who were no better than he. I hope there are not too many who will sue me for libel. Remember that I said that there are dozens who could fit each description given. Let each consider that I must be describing someone else.

One came on the scene years ago with little knowledge of grammar but with great love for, faith in, and knowledge of the Bible. His zeal, humility, and patience no doubt had their part in helping him teach the great plan of God for man’s redemption so that he baptized many hundred with his own hands. It was in spite of his handicap that he did so much good. I fear that people in this decade might be more critical of him. There are good reasons to overcome this weakness that one may accomplish more. Knowledge of grammar is more common now than in earlier decades, so people have a right to expect a public speaker to improve his skill in speech, but let us not forget the great men who did so much without this skill.

Much good work is now done by men who earn most of their support with their own hands. This is not the same as receiving full support from the church and then giving most of one’s time to some lucrative occupation so that he may satisfy his love for money. Selfishness is not a beautiful trait to be found in any one who claims to be a Christian.

Many wonderful servants of the Lord in past generations have given their lives to preaching without receiving the hire which the laborers deserve (1 Cor. 9:1-19). Things have now changed, and some are paid enough to live in special luxury. Why should this be? The preacher that is available to the highest bidder may not be the best man for the church that bids the most. There is a temptation in such cases for one to speak things which he ought not for filthy lucre’s sake.

Unfortunately, some of the faithful men of God are expected to give full time to the cause of truth, to live about as the brethren do who work at good salaries and with many fringe benefits, but they are not given enough to pay their necessary expenses. Brethren, it is not fair to keep such men constantly in a financial strain. Those who are supported need to learn to use good judgment in the use of their money rather than waste it on useless things.

One of the most pathetic stories about preachers is the story of one who seems to say the wrong thing every time he open his mouth. Common sense, wisdom, thoughtfulness of others, and humility are important. The lack of common sense is far more serious than some impediment of speech or physical handicap. There are those who appear to be egotists who would firmly deny it. The man of very poor judgment may have very little idea of how he appears to others. One who harms each church with which he works should not be supported to preach.

Let us mention the lazy man who searches until he finds support to work in some destitute area far away from those who support him, and when he gets there he works almost none at all. He is like one on a pension.

Let us all give thanks for the many young men who are devout, capable, and zealous in the work. The same temptations come to the young now that have come in the past, so we cannot claim perfection for all the young workers, but we should realize that there are many wonderful men working in the vineyard. Worthy young preachers and worthy older men appreciate each other. Each feels the need for the other.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, pp. 719, 725
December 6, 1984

By Dick Blackford

What A Challenge By Satan! What A Defeat For Him!

Not all congregations begin with a big splash. The church at Philippi had an humble beginning. It happened in a province where nearly all the inhabitants were Romans (thus pagans) and a Roman garrison was there. This was the first European city visited by an apostle. When Paul and Silas came into this citadel of error, Satan was in charge. From all indications not even Judaism has much strength for no mention is made even of a synagogue, which was Paul’s customary place to begin. A group of Jewish women met on the sabbath outside the city gate to pray by the Ganges River. As a result of their preaching in this obscure place one woman was converted, along with her household. She was a foreigner from Thyatira.

And now the action begins!

Satan’s First Attack And First Defeat

Satan’s interest is stirred when even one person obeys the gospel and he began immediately to stamp out Christianity in this country which he had totally dominated. Paul and Silas couldn’t say “no” to Lydia’s offer of hospitality (“she constrained us,” Acts 16:16). So they used her home as a basis for their operation.

Lydia’s conversion took place in a time of ignorance and idolatry when Satan could lead men captive at his will. While Paul and Silas were traveling to the scene of her conversion in hope of teaching others, a witch drew unwanted attention to them by announcing, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation” (v. 17). They didn’t need her as advertisement, lest those who would receive the apostles’ doctrine would be turned off by her and thus be prejudiced against the gospel of Christ. So Paul treated it as a case of demon possession and cast out the evil spirit. It came out that very hour and Satan’s plan utterly failed (v. 18).

Satan’s Second Attack And Second Defeat

Satan doesn’t give up easily. The masters of this soothsayer were not thankful for the kindness to the maiden but were upset at their loss of income received from her services. So they suddenly became “conscientious” and stirred up the higher powers. Paul and Silas were dragged into the marketplace to the governors of the city and were misrepresented as being “disturbers of the peace” and stirred up the higher powers. Paul and Silas were dragged into the marketplace to the governors of the city and were misrepresented as being “disturbers of the peace” and “teaching new and unlawful forms of religion,” though it is obvious the maiden’s masters cared nothing for Judaism or the Roman religions.

The two evangelists had their clothes stripped off and were beaten with rods and cast into the Philippian jail. Now here they sit, racked with pain and fastened in the stock. No doubt Satan was thinking, “That’ll teach them!”

For a moment it seemed that Satan had succeeded in shutting them up. What better way is there to stop the gospel than to put its proponents behind bars! But Satan underestimated the power of praying and singing. Before long the prisoners were listening and a man’s life was saved by the main principle of Christianity – love. Upon hearing the gospel, he and his household were baptized into Christ immediately. They rejoiced greatly (Acts 16:25-34). That wasn’t the way Satan planned it at all!

Satan’s Third Attack And Third Defeat

In spite of Satan’s fierce opposition, a church was established in this Roman colony. And when they were released from jail they went back to Lydia’s house and comforted the brethren (16:40). In the intervening years between that event and the writing of the book of Philippians, Paul again finds himself in prison. But every effort of Satan to squelch the gospel only caused it to spread – this time through the praetorian guard, even to Caesar’s household (Phil 1:13; 4:22)! Paul said that the things which had happened to him had resulted in “the furtherance of gospel” (1:12). Satan surely didn’t plan that!

Sure Signs Of Victory!

The church in Philippi (1) grew, (2) was characterized by love, (3) supported gospel-preachers, and (4) was scripturally organized with elders and deacons. Satan must delight in keeping churches from being scripturally organized. In such cases the spiritually immature and unqualified person has as much say so as one who may qualify for the eldership. This usually causes problems, completely immobilizing a congregation or, at best, leaving it without a clear sense of direction while brethren wage war with one another. It has to be a happy moment for Satan when he can thwart God’s design for the organization of the church. But Satan found none of these things in which to glory at Philippi. He is crafty, but not all-wise or all-knowing.

In spite of all of Satan’s efforts the church was such a source of joy to Paul that the words “joy” and “rejoice” seem almost overworked. Philippi – what a challenge for Christianity! What a resounding defeat for Satan! “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice!” (4:4).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, p. 717
December 6, 1984

By Lewis Willis

The problem becomes more critical with each passing day. The domestic and civil havoc it is producing is unmeasured and immeasurable. And, there seems to be no significant national outcry against it.

The problem is alcoholism. The latest figures I have seen come from the The Proclaimer, edited by Leon Odom in Midland, Texas. He said there are ten million alcoholics in America today! I would assume these are admitted alcoholics. Just how many million more there are who think they do not have the problem would be impossible to estimate. Odom reported that a Gallup Poll taken in 1977 found that 71% of American adults (almost three-fourths of the population) consume alcohol to some degree. This means that approximately 165 million people in this country can be classified as occasional, moderate, or heavy drinkers. Odom noted that this means that 1,000 people “reach the alcohol dependent stage every single day.” In 1972, the Royal Society of Medicine in Great Britain reported that, of the 50,000 people killed in traffic accidents each year, 28,400 are alcohol related. Each day we hear of another major traffic accident claiming the lives of innocent people because some drunk is on the street trying to drive a car. Occasionally a train accident is reported in which the engineer was drunk at the time of the accident. How long will it be before we read of a major airplane crash because the pilot was drunk? In 1972, there were 60,000 non-highway accidental deaths in this country and alcohol was involved in 34,800 of them. In 1972, Americans were spending $21,700,000,000 for alcoholic beverages. (The above figures are from an article by Garland Elkins, entitled, “What Liquor Costs.”) Johnny Richardson of the East Florence Church wrote (6-84), “Alcohol Destroys Internally, Externally, and Eternally.” He was absolutely right in this observation.

The tragic effects of alcoholism are destroying the moral fiber of this great society. Most social programs address the symptoms of the problem and not the problem itself. A suburb of Cleveland recently tried to get the drunks off the street by setting up road blocks to test drivers for alcohol consumption. There was such a furor over these police tactics that the chief of police called off the action after only one weekend of effort. Since almost three-fourths of the people drink, they naturally would cry out against such actions. The bar owners complained that their businesses were being destroyed. And, the 25% of people who do not drink can only wring their hands in frustration.

One would think that religion would address such a desperate problem with all of its might. However, such is not the case. The Cleveland Plain Dealer (8-4-84) printed an Associated Press article about what a Catholic church in Miami, Florida intends to do about it. They recently built a building with a partition separating the new parish hall from their parish bar! The church is St. Henry’s Roman Catholic and the bar is called Henry’s Hideaway. At St. Henry’s bar, you can get “scotch on the rocks or plain cranberry juice,” along with “a few holy words” from the Reverend James Reynolds, the parish priest and bar proprietor. He said he set up the place to provide his parishioners with “wholesome conversation and merrymaking.” He explained that God made us body and soul, and we should socialize . . . I think God intends us to have a good time on earth.” In the average bar, prostitution and homosexuality are available in order to have “a good time.” I wonder if this priest intends to incorporate those activities with his bar and contend that “God intends us to have a good time” engaging in these things as well?

“The venture has the blessing of Edward A. McCarthy, archbishop of Miami.” He wrote to Reynolds and said, “It seems to me you are pioneering in something that may prove very effective pastorally.” So, the bar obviously has the approval of the archbishop of Miami! Reynolds said his effort is to bring “country-club living to the average parishioner . . . our jobs as priests and spiritual leaders is to inspire the people and assist them in their problems and afford them the opportunity to be joyous.” This dumb jokes does not have enough sense to see that he is inspiring people to joyously develop the problem of alcoholism, and, he is not alone in his stupidity! Every week we can read of local churches of various flavors that are conducting drinking parties. This is part of the natural outgrowth of a “social gospel concept” which tries to meet the needs of people. If three-fourths of them are drinkers, then most churches are going to cave-in to the desires of such people. Instead of helping to solve the problem, they help perpetuate it! Therefore, the national tragedy will find no solutions within those religious organizations.

It is a matter of grave concern that many within the Lord’s church see nothing wrong with having a social drink. Having a beer or two every now and then is viewed as innocently as having a cup of coffee every now and then. Some preachers and elders simply see nothing at all wrong with social drinking. These things seem to mushroom, instead of going away, so we might just as well expect to see some church of Christ (?) conducting beer drinking activities one of these days. It will not matter at that time that Solomon wrote, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Prov. 20: 1). Nor will it mean anything that Paul said “be not drunk with wine” (Eph. 5:18). 1 doubt that it will even matter with some that they cannot go to heaven when they practice “drunkenness” and the “revellings” of the social drinking party (Gal. 5:21).

I was just thinkin’. if we continue our efforts to conform to this world (Rom. 12:1), how long will it be before right thinking people will view us with the same disgust with which they view the Catholic church in its systematic production of more drunks who are going to be turned loose in our homes and on our streets? I think I’ll do all I can to expose such messes and those who create them!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, pp. 718-719
December 6, 1984

By Donald Willis

The central theme of the Bible is salvation from sins through the blood of Christ. There are none who are totally righteous. Thus, one cannot claim heaven by virtue of his own merit. Each needs one to save or redeem him.

One is ” . . .justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. . .” (Rom. 3:24-25). Jesus Christ is the world’s only Savior. The blood of Jesus is the only redemption price. God’s supreme love is clearly manifested in that one great sacrifice for lost mankind! Oh, how He loved me!

Now, by the blood, one understands the following premises:

(1) The New Testament is dedicated by the blood of Christ. The Hebrew writer speaks of the “blood of the everlasting covenant” (Heb. 13:20). It is only after one is dead that the testament (will) becomes effective (Heb. 9:17). Therefore, Christ had to die on the cross before His will, the New Testament, would become operative over the lives of men and women. We do not live under the Old Testament laws, but under the blood-dedicated law of Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1: 16). The law made no one perfect (Heb. 7:19).

(2) Sins are cleansed by the blood of Christ. “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. . .” (Rev. 1:5). “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. . .” (1 Cor. 15:3). The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Christ loved mankind so much that He died in our stead. He is the propitiation for our sins; i.e., He perfectly satisfies God’s demands and atones for our sins. Now, through His blood, God is both just and the justifier.

(3) The church is purchased by the blood of Christ. Jesus’ people are called ” . . .the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts. 20:28). The importance of Christ’s church is evidenced in the price that Christ paid. It does make a difference to which church one belongs! Christ’s blood was paid only for His church. Churches with human heads, human origin, and human laws are not the Lord’s church. The church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23); therefore, since Christ is the head of the church, and the church is the body, He thusly has only one body governed by the one head (cf. Eph. 4:4).

(4) Inner peace comes through the blood of the cross! “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross. . .” (Col. 1:20). The world searches for inner peace. But, one cannot have lasting peace until he accepts the atoning sacrifice of the blood of Christ. In Christ’s death, His blood was shed. One who loves God, repents of his sins, is then “buried with him by baptism into death” (Rom 6:3-4). Then the blood cleanses him, and he can have the peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, p. 716
December 6, 1984