Truth Magazine

By Daniel King

Newspapers in West Tennessee have been buzzing recently over a dispute between certain of the churches there and local government. The Paris Post-Intelligencer for Thursday, September 6, 1984, reported that State Attorney General Mike Cody ordered eight Jackson, Tennessee churches to file financial disclosure statements. They were ordered to do so after they made financial contributions to a group called Citizens Against Drug Abuse (CADA), which campaigned successfully against liquor-by-the-drink in a referendum August 2.

Cody pointed out that, as he reads the state’s campaign disclosure law, a political action committee is any combination of two or more individuals who financially support a candidate or cause. “We realize that such groups do not ordinarily consider themselves to be ‘political action committees’ and in some cases have not thought that they were obligated to file campaign financial disclosure statements,” Cody said.

The comment offered by the local paper was this: “Although any referendum related to the use of alcohol is considered a moral as well as a political issue and arouses emotions that other elections do not, if churches can help sway the outcome of the political process, the attorney general was correct in his ruling that they have assumed the role of political action committees.”

We certainly sympathize with those who fought to stop the legalization of liquor-by-the-drink in their fair city. This was a positive moral issue and all such require that Christians exert whatever influence they scripturally and ethically may on the side of right. But in recent years it has become popular for churches, as churches, to become directly involved in politics, and that we consider a mistake.

We have come to expect that many of the denominational churches will do such things, since most have little regard for the pattern left us by the early church and her apostles. They were quick to enter into the thought – world of the social gospel, attempting to establish the Kingdom of God on earth through social change. But churches of Christ tended to steer clear of politics because they considered this one of the areas where the individual rather than the church is to act. The early church never attempted to make of herself a political movement. She obeyed those in positions of authority (Tit. 3: 1) and prayed for rulers and those in high places (1 Tim. 2:1-2). The teachings of the New Testament had ramifications which reached into the world of politics. Yet the church did not, until centuries later when she slid into apostasy on many issues, try to make of herself a force to be reckoned with in either local or imperial politics. For an earlier generation of Christians that was enough.

The fact that the Word of God did not sanction such involvement kept them away from putting the church into the position of endorsing particular political candidates. The weight of those biblical teachings which instructed the church on the subject of her work and how those funds collected on the first day of the week were to be used in the Lord’s service, was sufficient to turn the balances against political or social service involvement.

A new attitude has come of age in the churches over the past several years, however. Spurred on by the desire to compete with some of the denominations in the social service area, some brethren opened the door to all sorts of things by establishing human institutions to carry out these functions (colleges, orphan homes, homes for unwed mothers, rest homes for the aged, child-care agencies, etc.) and then hitching the churches onto them by seeking church support. The question whether or not they had a right to exist was one thing. The Bible does not stand in the way of individuals who wish to create businesses of this kind. Christians have every right to establish and administrate a means for securing their livelihood. But when the churches were solicited for contributions, that represented another thing altogether. On the one hand, the church was making a contribution to an organization of man’s devising, a human institution. She was not buying a service. She was making a contribution. This assumed that the institution was doing the work of the church. And, the church was accomplishing her work through the agency of an institution engineered by man and not God. This further assumed that the church was insufficient to carry out the work God gave her to do, whereas Scripture said the opposite (Eph. 1:23).

In order to avoid the obvious force of the arguments leveled at them from brethren who opposed these machinations, the advocates of this new theory of financing and accomplishing the work of the church reasoned that ‘anything the individual can do with his money, the church can do with hers.” Never mind the distinction made in the Bible between the individual and the church (1 Tim. 5:16; etc.)! At the first this view was only accepted in principle. It came to be put into practice much more slowly. In fact, some of the brethren who first made this argument balked at accepting some of its implications when they saw what it eventually led to. When churches began building gymnasiums and swimming pools and threw themselves “hook, line, and sinker” into the social gospel, a few men were heard to mildly protest, but not above the din of the mob that went along.

Where did they end up? They ended up going into politics too. You see, to get back to our newspaper article, one of the churches which made a political contribution to the CADA was the Wallace Road Church of Christ in Jackson, Tennessee. They contributed $760 to this political pressure group, and so entered the realm of politics. That made them a ‘Political Action Committee.’ They didn’t think so, but that is what they became. And the Attorney General for the state of Tennessee made them file a financial disclosure statement.

There will probably be nothing said in opposition to this among our liberal brethren. In fact, they will likely protest only the harsh treatment of their comrades by Mike Cody and bemoan the erosion of our political rights under the Supreme Court in recent decades. They will never think to ask whether or not the church may legitimately enter into politics. After all, what the individual can do, the church can do. Or so they think!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, pp. 625-626
October 18, 1984

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Can a person send (or cause) someone else to go to hell? What about an unsaved person who was murdered? Would the murderer be responsible for the murdered person’s lost condition?

Reply: It seems that this question can be answered in a few words. The one who is lost is responsible for his condition. It is true that an individual may be lost because he has influenced someone else to be lost; but the fact remains that each person is responsible for his own sins. The law was specific in the day of Moses that “the fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deut.24:16). Thus the proverb in Ezekiel 18:2, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge” never was acceptable. When the prophet stated that Israel would no longer have occasion to use it, he was not saying that it had been acceptable before. Children were not to be put to death for the sins of their fathers. In contrast to the delusion of this proverb, Ezekiel is plainly asserting that “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (see also Ezek.18:20). Each individual is accountable to God for his own sins and will answer for himself in the day of judgment (Rom. 14:12).

Man is lost because he is in sin. An unsaved man is not lost per se because he did not have, or take the opportunity to be saved. He is lost because he is in sin. A man, therefore, who murders one who is unsaved is not the cause of the murdered person being lost. That person was lost already because he was in sin. He was already spiritually dead (Rom.6:23), being separated from God by sin (Isa.59:1,2). Also, the man who is unsaved and then commits murder is not lost because he committed murder. He too is already lost because he is in sin.

Men go to hell because of their own sins, and not those of someone else. It is not God’s desire that anyone be lost (see Tim.2:3,4; 2 Pet.3:9), but men choose (exercise their own free will) when they sin and refuse to repent. Actually, men send themselves to hell when they sin, violate God’s law (I Jn.3:4); God, the judge, will utter the final sentence: “Depart from me. . .” (Matt.25:41).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, p. 613
October 18, 1984

By Rick Billingsley

“I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil . . . “

The above quotation is taken from Revelation 2:2. Paul had foretold that grievous wolves would trouble the Ephesian church (Acts 20:29), and we see here a fulfillment. However, the Ephesians did not bear in their midst the company of evil men who were morally or ethically base in their character. This attitude toward evil men is most commendable; for they were and are unlike many congregations then and today. Today, many congregations are too tolerant toward their members who need to be disciplined.

“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Cor. 5:7). “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received of us” (2 Thess. 3:6). It is evident from these Scriptures that discipline is a Bible subject. Yet, it has been avoided, neglected, and even abandoned by many churches of the Lord. The root meaning of “discipline” comes from the Greek word dais, which means instruction, but in the course of time it came to be used for moral training, chastening, and punishment. The subject naturally divides itself into two parts: (1) the spiritual discipline of the soul, and (2) the congregational discipline of offenders. The latter subject will be discussed in this article.

Toleration

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27). For self-protection and self assertion the church has to exercise a strict discipline. Its well-being and very life depends upon the suppression of abuses and the expulsion of persistent and gross offenders. Toleration would mean unfaithfulness to Christ and degradation in example before the community. The duty of maintaining an adequate discipline is one of the most difficult and most important tasks confronting the church today.

Discipline

Discipline is two fold: instructive and corrective. Instructive discipline is positive and preventative in nature. It is primarily concerned with laying out the rules-training by education (Deut. 6:4-12; Prov. 22:6; Acts 20:38; and Heb. 13:7). Perhaps the problem of discipline that the church is facing today is due to the lack of teaching concerning the subject. For years, many of the Lord’s body have failed to provide proper teaching on discipline. It has been one of those negative “no-no” subjects that many avoid teaching. Education is necessary in all subjects including discipline.

Corrective discipline is both positive and negative. It is unpleasant but must be carried out for the good of the offender and the church. This discipline does not consist of corporal punishment, imprisonment, fines, or civil incapacities; but in the administration of admonitions and rebukes. When these are without effect, and the offender. continues impenitent, the Bible teaches that we are to mark them, avoid them, not to keep company with and not to eat with them (Rom. 16:17; Phil. 3: 17; 1 Cor. 5:5,9,11; 2 Thess. 3:14). All of the terms above express the idea of revealing the unruly one and not to have association or agreement with such a person.

Who?

This discipline is to be administered to: a brother who sins (Matt. 18:15-20), one whose heart is not right or filled with wickedness (Acts 8:18-24), one causing division or becoming a stumbling block before other fellow Christians (Rom. 16:7), a brother who is a fornicator, covetous, idolater reviler, drunkard, extortioner (1 Cor. 5:11), one who hath caused sorrow (2 Cor. 7:8-12), one who is overtaken in a fault-paraptomate-to fall away from the teaching of the apostles (Gal. 6:1-3), one who is unruly (1 Thess. 5:14), one who walked disorderly and keeps not the word or traditions of the apostles (2 Thess. 3:6,14,15), those who lose their faith and make shipwreck of their faith (1 Tim. 1:19-20), those that sin-the elders that sinned (1 Tim. 5:19-20), unruly men, vain talkers, those who teach error, those who deceive (Tit. 1:10-16), a man who is a heretic, schismatic, a follower of false doctrine (Tit. 3: 10), one who errs from the truth (Jas. 5:19-20).

It is obvious from the above description that any person who abides not by the principles of Christianity as given to man through the word of God is subject to instructive or corrective discipline. It is safe and justifiable to say that any brother or sister who refuses instructive discipline is subject to corrective discipline.

Conclusion

We can go beyond and say that any congregation of the Lord that does not administer discipline to an impenitent brother or sister in Christ, has erred from the truth, and therefore is in great need of discipline themselves. Our generation has witnessed a great threat to the church because of the legal incident that occurred out west, but who knows what the next generation will experience or what the future holds for the church? Should persecution stop the church from carrying out God’s will? God forbid! The Ephesian church was rare because they would not tolerate evil, and in this the Lord commended them. Brethren, let us be like the Ephesians and not tolerate such evil and let us not lose sight of the purpose of discipline; to restore the offender and to keep the church pure that we too can be of this rare breed-faithful to the Lord, not only in discipline, but in all aspects to Christian principles.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 19, pp. 595, 599
October 4, 1984

By Tom Wheeler

Any way we affirm the above title, we make the majority of our religious friends and neighbors angry. We must then explain to them that we believe basically the same thing they do, and that is, that one must please God to be saved. The problem then is a matter of understanding what pleasing God requires. Many people want God to be pleased with whatever they want to do.

We Must Obey God!

Adam and Eve didn’t obey God and brought physical death to mankind besides being driven from the Garden of Eden. The people of Noah’s day didn’t obey God and He sent the flood to destroy them. The cities of the plains were destroyed because of their ungodliness. Jesus Christ came and suffered the cruel death of the cross because people were lost – in need of salvation. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

Some will read Ephesians 2:8-9 and conclude that man has nothing to do to be saved. They should read the next verse very carefully. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:8-10). We are created unto good works. Are we to ignore what we are created unto? Surely, we have something to do. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). Why was God thanked? When were they made free from sin? When did they become servants of righteousness? Everything is dependent upon obedience. If they had not obeyed, would God have been thanked? If they had not obeyed, would they have been free from sin or servants of righteousness? If we refuse to do what God says, we refuse His grace and therefore cannot be saved. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:11-14).

How Many Churches Are There?

According to the federal government records, there are more than thirteen hundred (1,300) different religious groups in the United States of America. That simply means that there are more than thirteen hundred (1,300) different doctrines being taught in the United States of America. But God gave only one Bible which is His word unto man today.

How many churches does the Bible, the Word of God, authorize? Jesus said that He was going to build one. “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Jesus did not say “churches” but “church.” The body and the church are one-and-the-same-thing. “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23). “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18). There is one body. “But now are they many members, yet but one body” (1 Cor. 12:20). “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Eph. 4:4). Since there is “one body” and the church and body are the same thing, then there is one church authorized of God. Men have many churches as is evidenced everywhere, but God has only one.

What Is The Purpose Of The One Church?

It is the blood purchased organization for the saving of souls. It was purchased by the blood of Christ. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Its purpose must be very important for it to be purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ Himself. The purpose is plainly set forth in Ephesians 5:23, 25-27, 29-30. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body . . . Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish . . . For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Christ is the head of the church. Christ is the Savior of the church. The church is subject to, or in subjection to Christ. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it: therefore one must be a part of the church in order for Christ to have given Himself for that individual. He did this that he might sanctify (set aside for a special purpose) and cleanse it to Himself, a glorious church without spot or wrinkle.

People continue to cry out: “I can be saved and not be a member of any church.” They certainly can be saved without being a member of any man made church. But the Bible says that God adds the saved to the church. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls . . . Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:41, 47). God makes no,mistakes in record keeping; therefore if an individual is saved, he is in the church you read about in the Bible.

How Does One Become A Member Of That Blood Bought, Christ Saved, Sanctified Church?

Look at the cases of conversion in the book of Acts. People heard the gospel, believed the gospel, repented of their sins, made known their faith in Jesus Christ and were baptized in water as heaven commands, for the remission of sins. Those who were saved (those who obeyed from the heart, Rom. 6:17), were added to the Lord’s church.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Rom. 6:3-6). Notice that baptism is into Jesus Christ, that it is into His death; and then one is raised to walk in newness of life. The newness of life comes after one receives remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3;21). Being baptized into Jesus Christ or into his death (Rom. 6:3-6) is the same as being baptized into the one body. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many . . . But now are they many members, yet but one body” (1 Cor. 12:12-14, 20). Remember one body is the church (Eph. 1: 22-23; Col. 1:18).

God adds the saved to His church. One must do what God says in order to be saved. The church, that you read about in the Bible, and obedience are inseparable in God’s plan. Yes, one must be a member of the church of Christ in order to be saved.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, pp. 615-616
October 18, 1984