Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

When one is delivered from the dominion of darkness and from the domain of the Devil, he is separated from this present evil world and translated or transported into the kingdom of Christ (Col.1:13). This spiritual transaction is the result of the gospel. Its work is within the heart and conscience. Consequently, the kingdom of Christ knows no artificial or arbitrary boundaries. Mighty mountains and sprawling seas are bridged and spanned by the moral message, and the spiritual power of God, the gospel. Due to the universal range and scope of the gospel, there are no barriers of race, culture or country that impede the character, influence or destiny of the kingdom of God.

Emperors of the earth base their authority in armies. Their reigns are initiated with great pomp and perpetuated by physical might. But the kingdom of Christ was born in weakness, spawned in shame, founded near His grace and bought with His blood. A moral and spiritual kingdom over hearts that are convicted, converted, and comforted forbids attack and assault by the arsenals of men. Kings have long sought security behind impregnable walls and impenetrable fortresses, but all have been overcome. No force, however, has ever moved the foundation of Jesus Christ, and no weapon has ever shaken or cracked the walls of His kingdom “which cannot be moved.”

A kingdom is measured, in part, by the character of its king. Thus, the kingdom of God’s dear Son shall stand forever. The King of kings and Lord of lords withstood every fierce and fiery force which sought to overthrow His position and power. The price of the power of the air hurled the might and muscle of temptation, sin and death at King Jesus, but He deftly avoided every arrow. His armor blunted every blow. In the throes of agony, he descended into the depths of death, wrenched open the bars of the dungeon of darkness, and fanned the flame of life eternal. Stepping forth from the grave, He grasped the torch of righteousness, abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Tim. 1:20).

The mighty power of God that raised and released Him also inaugurated and coronated Him at the throne of the majesty on high. Now He sits. Now He reigns as angels, authorities, principalities and powers are beneath the scepter and sphere of His eternal power and Godhead. Are you a citizen of this kingdom? You must be subject to the gospel before you can be a subject the kingdom. From His kingly throne, based on the integrity of His mediatorial priesthood, Jesus announces and pronounces the terms and conditions of citizenship in His holy, heavenly kingdom. And what are the terms? Essentially, it is this: unconditional surrender – no enemy, no alien is allowed access who will not renounce and denounce every other oath and allegiance (Lk. 6:46; 9:23). “Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaver; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

Will you accept and obey that will? Your eternal destiny sways in the balance. Then, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, you will meet the Lord in the air, go down the hallway of eternity, sweeping through the portals of paradise, and be ushered into His presence to praise His name during that endless day. What a glad hope! What a grand and great expectation! Obey the gospel, serve Him faithfully and enjoy the bliss of that everlasting kingdom forever and ever.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, p. 624
October 18, 1984

By Maurice W. Jackson, Jr.

“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the house of Jehovah” (Psa. 122:1). Whether these are the words of David, or of some other, they are Holy Spirit guided, and express an attitude worthy of God’s people today.

Such joy is rare! The multitudes that never worship at all prove it. Even among the Lord’s people there are those who worship as seldom as possible, and some not at all. Can it be said of all who worship regularly that they go gladly? Could it be that a mere sense of duty, maintaining a spiritual reputation, a desire to please family and friends, to avoid a lashing conscience, to escape reproof, simply to set an example, or only the force of habit motivates many to attend the worship services today?

Modern Day Solutions

In our society when a business falters, solutions are sought through human innovations that excite and create renewed interest. A new approach to sales technique is initiated. Make the product more appealing as respects color, size, shape, etc. Promote an unusual sale, make better claims , offer a sweepstake, or a bonus reward. In short, simply out do the competition by redressing the externals.

All of this may be acceptable in secular affairs, but is this the procedure for creating a joyful spirit of worship in modern man? Preachers and church leaders in many places seem to think that the answer is “Yes! ” Innovative worship services which catch the eyes and ears of the worshipers, stimulating curiosity, excitement and departure from the norm are adopted. Purpose: Increase interest, and supposedly, create a joyful spirit of worship.

We suggest that such an approach puts the cart before the horse. A joyful spirit of worship is not created by altering the externals of the worship service to arouse the worshiper, but to alter the worshiper through teaching, to fit into and enjoy the Divine plan of worship. We must appeal to the New Testament as our pattern, not to modern innovations concocted by human ingenuity.

New Testament Worshipers

“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). This is how the early Christians functioned when they gathered together to worship God. This is how the Holy Spirit guided apostles directed. This same worship is what God wants from 20th century Christians.

That they were characterized with a joyful spirit of worship is seen, not only in what they did, but also in the interest and zeal that characterized the individual Christians. What a spirit of joy they must have felt when they learned that all they had to do to be forgiven of having rejected and crucified the Son of God, was to believe that He was the Christ, and upon repentance of their sins, be baptized for the remission of them (Acts 2:37-41). It was this spirit of joy that led them to receive the Word, complying with its teaching! As the King James says: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” Their unity of action brought them together in a spirit of joy. “And all that believed were together” (Acts 2:44). They willingly and sacrificially helped the needy among them. “They sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all according as any man had need” (Acts 2:45). In Acts 2:46 we read: “And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple is further evidence of the joyful spirit that captivated those early Christians. As these saints praised God in their spirit of joy, the populous of Jerusalem perceived it and granted their favor (Acts 2:46). The key to their joyful spirit was a clear awareness of what the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit had done for them, and that their response was to love God back, guided by the will of God revealed by the inspired apostles. It created in them a spirit of joy to know, not only that they could please God, but how they could do so. It was a joy which they realized filled the need of the human spirit! This same awareness today will create, in those who are conscientious, a joyful spirit of worship.

Hindrances

There are other factors that can dull the edge of joy in worshiping God. How could those at Corinth, who had lawsuits one with another, worship together with a truly joyful spirit? In their perverted attempt to eat the Lord’s supper, those who had not were put to shame. Such distinctions among themselves surely hindered a joyful spirit of worship in those who were left out. The state of confusion (chapter 14), which evidently existed in the worship assembly at Corinth, served to hinder the proper spirit of worship. The doctrinal differences of chapter fifteen did the same.

Brethren who are alienated from each other cannot worship together in a genuine spirit of joy. How can one go to the worship assembly with a joyful spirit when there is division, backbiting, and an atmosphere of coldness prevailing in the congregation? Sermons that are entirely too long, mote picking, faultfinding, hobby riding preachers who think more highly of themselves than they ought to think, hinder a joyful spirit of worship in the hearers. We understand that error must be opposed and exposed, and that gospel preaching is pointed and direct, but folks do not have to be clubbed nearly to death with every sermon!) Song leaders who seem to never be satisfied with the response they get from the worshippers can kill a joyful spirit of worship. Song leaders who ought to be in the pew, rather than before the congregation, can do the same. Who can enjoy worshipping God in song when they are constantly rebuked for some insignificant shortcoming, or the song service is dead-as-a-door-nail? Men who lead the prayers in the congregation should be ever conscious that they are to lead the minds of the worshippers as they pray. Prayers that are too long, repetitious, rambling, or inaudible hinder the joy of worship.

When knowledgeable brethren can only expect attending worship that borders on fanfare, or fanaticism, mere ritual or formalism, confusion and discord, or a funeral-like service, then their joyful spirit of worship ebbs toward an all time low!

Worship In Spirit And Truth

Jesus told the woman of Samaria: “True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth.” In fact, He said: “They that worship him (the Father) must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23,24). In these few words Jesus told her (and us) how all true worshippers must worship.

The New Testament tells us how the early Christians worshipped. It is our duty to duplicate what they were told to do. Only when we do so do we worship in truth (i.e. according to the teaching of the truth of God). We must learn to be satisfied with, and to enjoy, worshipping God in God’s way.

The Lord’s Supper. The first century church met on the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 20:7). This consisted of eating unleavened bread and drinking the fruit of the vine. This was as Jesus directed (Matt. 26:26-29). The elements represented the body and blood of Christ. As they ate, their minds went back to the cross. They remembered how, through His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, Jesus had rescued them from eternal condemnation and that He promised to come again and save the redeemed. This breaking of bread brought the early church together and kept them secured to the heart and core of the gospel story. So it does for Christians today. This supreme sacrifice of our Lord motivates us to have a joyful spirit of worship as we eat the Lord’s supper every first day of the week.

Prayer. Prayer always characterized the assemblies of the first century church. In 1 Corinthians 14:15 the early church was instructed to pray, and to do so in a way that all present could hear and understand. In their prayers they praised God, expressed thanksgiving to him, and made requests for his continued blessings. They prayed for the spread of the gospel, and for strength and boldness to speak the Word. Prayers for each other, and for others, were made. “Prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him” (Peter). (See Acts 12:5; see also Acts 4:21-3 1; 1 Tim. 2:1,2.) They prayed to God in response to their needs, confident that God would hear and answer. The privilege of prayer gave them a spirit of genuine joy. Christians today experience that same joy for the same reasons.

Singing. The early Christians were instructed to sing with the spirit and with the understanding as they worshipped together (1 Cor. 14:15). Singing was not only to praise God, but also to teach and admonish one another. So they sang psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and that without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Singing in worship was, and is, an overt manifestation of a joyful spirit.

Preaching and Teaching. In their gatherings, the early saints heard God’s word preached and taught. It was done in an orderly fashion, that all might be edified (1 Cor. 14:4, 26-33). Paul, on one occasion, prolonged his speech until midnight (Acts 20:7). Those, then and now, who are interested in God’s word anticipated with great joy the gathering of the saints to hear taught and preached the great truths of the gospel. Recently a good brother told me how the teaching and preaching of God’s word had helped him in his daily life, and that he looked forward to every assembly. He has a joyful spirit of worship!

Giving. Laying by in store, as one may prosper, was a part of the first day of the week assembling of the early Christians (1 Cor. 16:1,2). This was done in order to help needy saints, and to further the work of the church in evangelizing the world, and the perfecting of the saints. The people of God realize that, in this way, they can have a part in the greatest work on earth – the saving of the souls of men and women. This not only gives one a joyful (cheerful) spirit, but satisfies the heart’s desire of all who are Christ-like (2 Cor. 9:6,7; 1 Cor. 9:6-14).

No doubt there are some among God’s people who even dread the worship service. We have discussed some of the things that contribute to this. All such hindrances should be removed. Christians are to look forward, with a joyful spirit to the assembling of themselves together (Heb. 10:25). They should enjoy each other’s company, seek to bear each other’s burdens, show a fervent love one for the other and realize a sense of community in assembling together with a joyful spirit of worshiping God. Then will our gatherings be a time of refreshment and a source of strength for daily living. God will be pleased and glorified. Heaven is the great reward!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, pp. 619, 630
October 18, 1984

By Titus Edwards

For a multitude of reasons, many homes are in constant turmoil. Arguments and fights between young people and their parents are unfortunately commonplace. Many young people rebel against their parents, running away from home, or despising them, just waiting until they can get out from underneath their foot. Many kids complain, “they don’t understand me,” “they treat me unfairly,” “they don’t know how things are today,” ” they are too restrictive.” I suggest to you that even young people have responsibilities in the home. Let me suggest some ideas to help you get along better with mom and dad.

First, obey them! “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Eph. 6:1). You may not always be told why or why not, but you need to submit to their authority. After all, they are your parents!

Second, heed their advice! You probably will find that their advice is pretty good. Your parents have been where you are, but you haven’t been where they are! Wisdom comes from experience. Normally, they have your best interest at heart and can be more objective about issues than you can. Proverbs 1:8 says, “My son, heed the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent” (Prov. 15:5). Don’t let their advice run off like water off a duck’s back. Don’t dismiss it as “old foggy.” You will probably give your kids the same advice. Mark Twain said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I had got to be 21, 1 was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” Be smart enough to learn now!

Third, recognize they must discipline you! Nobody likes to be disciplined, but it is a part of growing up. Your parents are commanded to do such, for your own good, out of love. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chaseneth him betimes” (Prov. 13:24). Don’t ever think that because your parents might discipline you that they don’t love you! It is just the opposite. If you get punished, recognize you did wrong and deserved the punishment. Learn a lesson from it and be thankful that your parents care enough about you and what is right and wrong to try to train you right.

Fourth, respect them! this incorporates all the others. A good attitude is the key to most everything in life. It will determine how we get along with others, as well as our parents. “Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:2-3). Notice, you benefit by respecting your parents! They may not be perfect – they will make mistakes, but they love you and care for you. They deserve your respect because they are your parents!

Learn to communicate with your parents. Don’t create more problems by not doing your part. Fulfill your responsibilities toward your parents, and you will get along better with them!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, p. 622
October 18, 1984

By Bill H. Reeves

The very fruits of liberalism (I use the term in the context of the division in the brotherhood), with its sectarian concept of the church (a collectivity of all the local congregations in the world), is beginning to cause many of the converts of liberal preachers in Latin-America to see the error of the system. The very essence of any centralization, call it a Papacy, a Convention, a Missionary Society, or a Sponsoring Church, is control and domination, no matter how indirect and concealed it might be!

In the last 25 or 30 years, liberal preachers, speaking the Spanish language (Anglo-Americans and Latin-Americans), have made many converts, and established congregations (as well as Preacher-Training “Institutes”), in many countries, in some of which we conservatives have not made any in-roads. In the meantime, we conservative preachers also have been busy preaching the gospel and making converts. The liberals have not informed their converts of the division in the U.S.; we have. Now that some of the converts, made by liberals, are themselves Christians of many years and some maturity, they see that something is wrong in that domination of local churches is being exercised by certain self-styled “leaders”; it is part and parcel of the sponsoring- church concept. They resent this outside control. In the Providence of God, many of these have learned of Wayne Partain and me (and others), mainly through the commentaries, etc. in Spanish, which we have produced through the years. We are being brought together, allowing us to teach them on the “issues,” concerning which they have had virtually no prior knowledge. (They are amazed to learn that churches in the U.S. have been divided and have been out of fellowship for many years!)

In New York City, there are now five conservative Hispanic congregations. In the Dominican Republic, there are seven or eight. In Puerto Rico (where I have held two debates on the issues in the last two years), there are now three. Just this year we have preached for the first time in Costa Rica and in El Salvador, and now have an invitation to visit brethren in Guatemala. In January of this year, I was allowed to preach in only one congregation in El Salvador, in March, I preached in four; and now that Wayne and I are going again the 17th of this month, about ten congregations are inviting us. Between our trips in January and March to El Salvador, a new congregation of 50 or so was formed, and after our study with them in March, elders were appointed. Five churches in southern-most Mexico recently left liberalism, and are asking me to come help them with teaching and preaching. Invitations are also coming from Spain and Venezuela.

Of course, all this has not been without repercussions. Self-styled “leaders” among the liberals, seeing their control of churches being challenged, have, in their desperation (and I might add, in their carnality), stooped to defamation and lying, and to disfellowshipping of those who have received us, to hear us. In Costa Rica this year the big, downtown liberal church circulated a flier representing Wayne Partain with having passed through New York City last year “like a hurricane,” with the result that five churches of about I 10 members each were decimated, leaving only 40 or so members. What a colossal lie! The five churches together hardly had 110 members; one had only six at the time Wayne arrived. I had the five churches write letters, exposing the lie, but the liberal church in Costa Rica refused to confess their misrepresentation. In El Salvador I counted a dozen different lies being circulated against us, such as: we are not even members of the church of Christ, we use only one 4 4cup ” in the communion service, we don’t believe in Bible classes, nor in having church buildings, nor in American churches supporting preachers in Latin-America, we don’t believe in the Trinity, etc.

Brother Partian and I have been producing literature in Spanish for twenty years now: books of sermons, commentaries, and works on special topics. The mailing list grows almost daily, and readers among those converted by liberal “leaders” are wanting to meet us and hear us. We have prepared several works dealing with the “issues” which divided the brotherhood in the fifes and sixties. Our most recent work, just mailed out, reviews a new book written and circulated by Brother Dewayne Shappley, of Puerto Rico, in which he defends the sponsoring-church concept. Brother Gardner Hall, of New Jersey, joined Brother Partain and me in reviewing Shappley’s work, inasmuch as Shappley in his book cites and comments on a work by Gardner in Spanish. This work of ours will doubtlessly do much good, giving the Spanish-speaking readers both sides of the issue. Brother Shappley defends the position that there are two organizations revealed in the New Testament: the local church, and something else which he hasn’t yet named-that is, to my knowledge-made up of “church leaders,” like him, who propose projects to be financed by local churches.

Everywhere the liberal preachers have gone in Latin-America, they have set up a “central” church, where a “Bible Institute” (preachers’ school) is organized, and a Bible Correspondence Course is conducted, and as churches are established, everything (within their “jurisdiction” or “zone”), is controlled by the “missionaries” or “leaders,” as they call them. Pure sectarianism! Even though in studies and sermons local church independence and autonomy are taught, they are not practiced! In time the converts mature enough to see the inconsistency, but find it difficult to oppose those who converted them. As we enter the picture, not only teaching the truth on the autonomy and all-sufficiency of the local church (this takes care of the so-called Bible Institute, or preacher-school), but also practicing the same, respecting the independence of the local church and trying to set things in order so that it can have its own elders, the sparks begin to fly!

Already in recent years (and even months), a number of brethren have disassociated themselves from liberalism. Sometimes the entire congregation is saved; sometimes new congregations have had to be formed. There are men, capable of preaching and defending the truth, who need to be giving full-time to these new conservative beginnings. Their number grows almost daily as more and more are turning from liberalism. Brethren, it won’t take much to support these men who are willing to give themselves to preaching the Word. There are innumerable congregations throughout this land which can easily contribute one or two hundred dollars per month to such men, if the members are motivated to do a little more sacrificing, and this will come by informing them of the “doors of faith” (Acts 14:27) opening up to us. I have the names and addresses of the men willing to preach full-time; let me put you in contact with them. (Individual support is also an important consideration in the matter.)

Poverty is rampant in many parts of the world; there will always be poor people (Matt. 26:11). However, this fact is no consolation to the poor! God could miraculously send them manna from heaven to eat, but He has chosen to care for His own by having His own share their blessings with the needy. He has told us in His Word that one of the main reasons for working is to have wherewith to give to the needy (Eph. 4:28). Brethren, do we go to work each day with that thought in mind? A number of individuals and churches have had me be a messenger for them, to deliver financial help to extremely needy brethren in Latin America. I am glad to serve in this capacity. More of this should be done and who would be benefitted the most from it all? Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Churches have been very responsive to the requests of those of us willing to go and preach in these Spanish-speaking countries where brethren are turning from liberalism, supplying funds for the trips. There is no lack of money for this. God bless them for this. Now let more and more churches take on the (very modest) support of a good number of capable and sacrificial brethren, who in turn could accelerate the wave of conservatism that is already growing. After each trip we make to Latin America to preach, we come home with a list of new names to whom to send literature, and the recipients in turn tell others, and the daily mail includes more and more names. It is exciting to see this tremendous interest in turning to the Truth. We must not let these opportunities pass.

Write me, brethren, and let me put you in direct contact with men who with little support (as we view “regular” salaries), can get the Word to places very difficult for us to reach, and under circumstances (little food, no personal transportation in which to ride, sometimes no roads!) in which we American brethren would not care to work. We have the wealth (yes! we’re rich); they are willing to go preach. God wants us to use our blessings, which He has given us, to supply the needs of brethren elsewhere, that His Cause might be prospered throughout the world.

Where and when possible, I (and others) would be glad to come in person to inform churches in detail, so that churches and preachers might be put in direct contact, for greater evangelism in this world of sin and error. Just last week (as I write this article), two preachers returned from southern-most Mexico, forming a border with Guatemala, and reported that five congregations have recently separated themselves from liberalism. A particular brother there walks many miles, where there are no roads to travel, to reach other congregations and preach. Other brethren there work two weeks, to have wherewith to eat, and then spend two weeks preaching the gospel. Now, what do we do to match that? Just think how much more could be accomplished if some of these men could give full-time to preaching, supported by rich brethren of another country. Just what do we think God’s will is in the matter? Each one knows the answer!

Upon returning from the next proposed preaching trip to Central America (including for the first time, Guatemala), to be made in September, if God wills, I am sure that we will have exciting news to share with you. It has been like this after each trip for the last several years. May each reader glory in the exciting news!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 21, pp. 641, 665
November 1, 1984