Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

In recent years, some Christians seem embarrassed to state that they believe that there is only one church. One is judged to be narrow-minded and bigoted if he believes that there is only one church. After all, we are reminded, there are good people in all denominations.

Too, the general rejection of the Bible as the one standard of right and wrong has resulted in agnosticism. One cannot be sure about anything, if he has rejected the Bible as his absolute standard for determining right and wrong. The uncertainty that characterizes the non-Christians with reference to pre-marital and extra-marital sex, homosexuality, drinking, and other things (whether they are merely personal preferences of taste or sin) has spilled over into the church. The result is that some can no longer tell whether immersion, congregational singing, partaking of the Lord’s supper on the first day of every week, and other items pertaining to the worship, work and organization of the church are simply matters of personal preference of the members of the church of Christ or divine law. Some among us no longer believe that sin is committed by using instrumental music in worship, by observing the Lord’s supper on Thursday night, and organizing a sponsoring church.

The popular phrase is, “We are Christians only, but not the only Christians. ” Some believe that there are faithful Christians in all denominations. They charge that we are arrogant if we believe that we are the only group in possession of the truth. Yet, they are unwilling to tell us which truths the denominations teach that we repudiate.

A new generation has come and some do not believe in the oneness of the church. Is there one church or many churches? Let us allow the Bible to answer this question.

The Bible Says There Is One Church

On several occasions, the Bible affirms that oneness of the church. Jesus said, “. . upon this rock I will build my church. . . ” (Matt. 16:18). The word “church” is a singular noun. Jesus said “church” and not “churches.”

The early apostles believed in one church. Paul wrote, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6). The numeral one means “more than zero and less than two.” We understand what it means with reference to one God, one Lord, and one Spirit. It means exactly the same thing when it is used to refer to one body. The apostle had previously told us what the “body” was; he identified it as the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Hence, the doctrine of the oneness of the church is expressly taught in Scripture.

There Is Only One Plan Of Salvation

Directly connected with the doctrine of the oneness of the church is the idea of how an individual is saved. The church is composed of the saved (Acts 2:47). Those who contend that there are saved people in all denominations must contend that there are any number of ways of being saved. The manner in which a Catholic is “saved” is different from the manner in which a Baptist is “saved.” If both are saved, then there must be more than one way to be saved.

The Scriptures only reveal one way to be saved from sin. Man is saved from sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. The manner in which one appropriates the saving blood of Jesus is through believing in Him, repenting of his sins, confessing his faith in Jesus, and being baptized (immersed) in water (Mk.16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 8:36-38; 22:16). Since the great commission was given, no accountable person has been saved without complying with these conditions, so far as the revelation of God records.

Those who are trying to be saved by a system of meritorious works cannot be saved. Those who are trying to be saved by faith only cannot be saved. The good, honest and sincere cannot be saved by sincerity (cf. Saul of Tarsus-1 Tim. 1:12-16; Rom. 10:1-2). The only manner in which one can be saved is through Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12). One is saved through Christ when he appropriates the blood of Christ by meeting the conditions which Christ gave in order for man to be saved.

Those who contend that there are saved people or Christians in all denominations must contend that there are a number of Yays to be saved’. I wish that some of our brethren who believe that there are faithful Christians in all denominations would just be bold enough to say, “I believe that one can be saved by faith alone” (as most Protestant denominations teach) or “I believe that one can be saved by doing good works” (as the Catholics teach). That is the necessary implication of saying that there are saved people in all denominations. If that is not what they believe, then they must believe that there is only one way to be saved and that those who have not complied with it are lost.

Can One Stay Saved In A Denomination?

When confronted in this manner, those who hold that there are Christians in all denominations will sometimes say, “I am referring to those in denominations who have obeyed the gospel.” Let us grant that there might be a few souls who have obeyed the gospel in denominations. The next question is, “Can one stay saved while in these denominations?”

If I thought a Christian could stay saved while worshipping in a denomination, I certainly would quit trying to get people to leave denominations and become a part of the blood-bought body of Jesus Christ. I would quit preaching sermons which emphasized the organization, names, mission, and worship of the church. I would quit preaching sermons which condemned denominations which are started by man, governed by men, worship in any manner which pleases men, are organized in ways judged best by men, and are called by names selected by men. I would quit telling men that the Lord’s church, as revealed in the New Testament, is divine in origin, given a pattern for worship, given a pattern for organization, and called by names which exalt and glorify God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I suggest to you that one of the reasons that the content of gospel preaching in the pulpits of many churches of Christ has changed is that some preachers have started believing that one can be saved and stay saved in modern denominations. How long has it been since you have heard a sermon which showed the difference in the Lord’s chruch and denominationalism? (Some of us have simply neglected these topics, although we continue to believe in the oneness of the church. We need to remember that every generation must be taught the same fundamental truths and reminded of them.)

When a person worships in a manner not authorized and approved by God, he sins. Jesus Himself said, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9). I still believe what Jesus said. He said that when men do not worship according to the will of God, they sin. Some have the idea that one can worship anyway he pleases and still be one in whom God is well-pleased.

If there are some few in the denominations who have obeyed the gospel to be saved from past sins, they are the exception and not the rule. Their worship in these denominations is a violation of God’s will and, therefore, sinful. Their sins separate them from God. Hence, a person cannot stay saved in the denominations of men.

We are forced back to the conclusion which our forefathers preached to us, not because we want to hold to our “church of Christ traditions,” but because our forefathers taught what the Bible says. That conclusion is that there is but one church. The Lord adds all of the saved to the church and none of the unsaved (Acts 2:47). There are none of the saved which He overlooks or adds to some other body than His church.

Those who are not in the Lord’s church but in some denomination of man must leave those denominations, even as the pagans and Jews in the first century had to leave their man-made religious organizations, in order to be saved by Jesus Christ. They could not be saved by Jesus Christ while continuing their idolatry or Judaism.

When these truths were preached fearlessly and forcefully, the Lord’s church prospered. Thousands of people left the denominations of men to become a part of the church of Christ. Men could see the difference in human denominations and the Lord’s church as revealed in the Scriptures. They renounced their allegiance to human creeds and committed themselves to Christ and His word.

As the years have passed, some in the Lord’s chruch have quit preaching those first principles of the oneness of the church. Indeed, they are embarrassed when others preach the oneness of the church. They do not want some visiting Baptist to get the impression that we think he is not saved. Their preaching emphasizes positive mental attitudes, love, joy and peace, home and family, and other topics which could be preached in any denomination in the United States. During these same years; the church has nearly quit growing and these brethren cannot understand why. I suggest that one reason is that we have quit preaching the first principles.

Like those in the first century, many today will judge us to be narrow-minded and sectarian because we teach the oneness of the church and the one way to be saved. Nevertheless, we must stand for what the Bible reveals.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 17, pp. 514, 533-534
September 6, 1984

By Larry Ray Hafley

Christians always seem to be on the defensive. “Why doesn’t your church have a piano or an organ?” “Why do you all have communion every Sunday?” “I know you’re a Christian, but what kind?” “You mean your church doesn’t have fund raising sales?” “While being baptized, you have to be dunked?” These and other statements have been uttered countless times, and they probably always will be. As members of the body of Christ, we are made to feel that our position is on trial, that we forever must “explain” what we believe. We are the “odd balls” who appear weird and strange with our “funny” beliefs. While it is true that we must prepare to give an answer (1 Pet. 3:15), it is not true that we must feel like we are the religious freaks of the day. Actually and factually, the reverse is true. Relax. Christians are the only ones who truly contend for views that no one denies. Our position is unassailable. In the majority of cases, no one doubts that what we do is right.

For example, consider:

(1) Immersion. Ask a Catholic priest, a Methodist minister, or a Presbyterian preacher if it is wrong to immerse adult believers. He will agree it is not sinful to do so. You see, there are discussions about sprinkling infants, but no one says that immersion is a sin in and of itself.

(2) Singing. Ask a Baptist preacher or a Pentecostal pastor if it is a sin for a congregation to come together and sing. He admits it is not wrong to do so. Even those in the Christian Church will not say that congregational singing is contrary to the doctrine of Christ.

(3) Weekly Lord’s Supper. Do you know a denominational preacher who will argue that it is a sin for disciples to break bread upon the first day of the week? Most, of course, do not do it, but they do not believe it is contrary to the Scriptures to do so.

(4) Weekly Giving. It is for certain that no preacher will say it is a sin to give of your means upon the first day of every week! Do you know of a church that teaches that a weekly collection is against the doctrine of Christ? Me neither.

(5) Christian. Is there an Episcopalian or Lutheran anywhere who would argue that it is wrong for a child of God to be referred to as a Christian? No. Many sectarian names are dearly held by their devotees, but no one says that being called a Christian is an error.

The points that Christians are most often questioned about really are not items of dispute. So, my brother, do not feel like you are a persecuted soul who is always on the defensive. Everyone believes that adult believers may be immersed, congregations may sing, take communion and give of their means each Lord’s day, and one may wear the name Christian. Your position is not debatable. Now, if they want to do something else, that is their problem. They must defend their doctrine. They are on the defensive. The ball is in their court. The proverbial monkey is not on your back; it is on theirs. You relax.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 16, p. 491
August 16, 1984

By Ron Daly

You and I live in a very promiscuous society! Only a few years ago, men and women in this “great” country reverenced God and embellished their pattern of thinking according to the sacred principles of the Bible. Today it is different. Most of the inhabitants of this nation do not display any respect for the teaching of the Scriptures concerning morality – the quality of being pure in sexual conduct.

Many factors are contributing to the widespread sexual immorality which is rampant in our age. The communication networks such as television and radio networks, pornographic magazines. and false philosophies such as agnosticism, atheism, humanism, and the “New Morality” are responsible for disseminating the “do it if it feels good” syndrome! As a matter of fact, the sins of lying denominationalism, and racial prejudice are possibly the only transgressions which are more common than the gross sin of immorality!

Another factor which aids in the advancement of sexual immorality is immodest apparel. During the summer months, manufacturers distribute swimming attire such as bikinis (extremely brief two-piece bathing suits for women), and swimming “trunks” for men which are usually tight and enticing to individuals of the opposite sex and to men (?) who have homosexual tendencies. A person in his “right mind” will be properly clothed (Mk. 5:15), having understood the injunction of inspiration (1 Tim. 2:9-10) “that women adorn themselves in modest apparel . . . .

This same principle is applicable to men in their demeanor and character of dress. Miniskirts, low cut blouses and dresses, shorts, see through dresses, and tight slacks ought to be eschewed by all persons who have self-respect and who are determined to live discreetly in the midst of a crooked generation.

Definition of Fornication

The Greek word underlying the English word “fornication” is porneia, which is found 26 times in the Greek New Testament. Paul, in listing some of the evil works of the first century Graeco-Roman world includes “fornication,” porneid, in five of the references and puts it first on the list each time (1 Cor. 5:11; 6:9; Gal. 5: 19; Eph. 5: 3; Col. 3: 5). This undoubtedly emphasizes the type of sexually corrupt environment in which the Christians lived. The social, economic, political, and religious conditions of the first century were severely hostile towards Christianity. Each of these constituents posed a great threat to the stability of local congregations – especially in the Corinthian culture. If these factors are properly understood, it becomes imminently apparent why Paul so violently assailed the “works of the flesh. “

Porneia is defined by Arndt-Gingrich’s lexicon of the Greek New Testament (p. 699) as “prostitution, unchastity, fornication, of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse.” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology states (p. 497) that porneia means “unchastity, harlotry, prostitution, fornication.” Thayer’s lexicon (p. 532) has the following regarding porneia, “properly of illicit sexual intercourse in general. ” These quotations establish that porneia refers to the overt illicit sexual act.

There are several cognate forms of porneia found in the Greek text and they are: (1) porneuo (8 occurrences) and means “to prostitute, to practice prostitution, commit fornication, to give oneself to unlawful sexual intercourse, to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another, to practice sexual immorality in general.” (2) Porne (12 occurrences) and denotes “a harlot, prostitute, a woman who sells her body for sexual uses, any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust.” (Note: A woman who is a prostitute has no morals, and thus cares not for her body, nor for* the stability of the society in which she lives. Her body is used for an instrument of gratification. Her spiritual consciousness has become saturated with putrification, slime, and rot.) (3) Pornos (10 occurrences) denotes “a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire, a male prostitute, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator, the fornicator who has sexual intercourse with prostitutes, an immoral man.”

In the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology a very significant analysis is made on page 497, by H. Reisser as he states, “The word group (porneuo, porne, pornos, and porneia, RD) can describe various extramarital sexual modes of behavior insofar as they deviate from accepted social and religious norms (e.g. homosexuality, promiscuity, pedophilia, and especially prostitution).” Historical data leads one to conclude that porneid in its ancient setting also included the gruesome act of homosexuality. A discussion of porneia as it relates to homosexuality can be read in a book entitled Flesh and Spirit by William Barclay (pp. 24-28). Barclay cites historical sources which substantiates the homosexual tendencies of such men as Socrates and Julias Caesar who were lovers “of boys” and Caesar being a lover of King Nicodemes, of Bithynia.

In the New Testament we find at least four different usages of the term porneia which are as follows: (1) Of unlawful voluntary intercourse of an unmarried person with anyone of the opposite sex (1 Cor. 7:2; 1 Thess. 4:3). In the two texts, Paul by guidance of the Holy Spirit advocates marriage to help prevent a life of sexual immorality. (2) In at least two passages, fornication (porneia) is used in a broader sense as a synonym for adultery (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). All adultery is porneia (fornication), but not all porneia (fornication) is adultery (moicheia). (3) In other texts porneia refers to all forms of unchastity in a general sense (Acts 15:20,29; 21:25; Rom. 1:20; 1 Cor. 6:13,18; Eph. 5:3). (4) In other Scriptures, porneia refers to harlotry and prostitution (Rev. 2:14,20,21). The idea in these texts is the abandonment of the true worship of the true God, thus becoming harlot like. How porneia is used in a given text depends on the context.

Consequences of Fornication

As is true with all sin, sexual immorality has its consequences. Please note with me some of the effects of fornication upon those who participate in this work of the flesh.

One of the dangers involved in immorality is contamination of the body by the invasion of foreign organisms which under certain circumstances can cause rapid degeneration of vital organs. There are several kinds of venereal diseases that are capable of doing irreparable damage to important organs of the body such as the eyes, nose, mouth, heart, liver, spine, and brain. The crippling effects of venereal diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes simplex virus are gruesome! Too, the effects which these diseases have upon the unborn child during its developmental stages can be terrifying indeed! The majority of babies born of untreated mothers suffering from the syphilitic germ are asymptomatic at birth, but around the third or fourth week they begin to sniffle, blisters appear on the face, buttocks, palms, and soles, and meningitis and saber shins (curved shin bones) develop. The disease can also cause deformed peg like teeth and loss of vision. In some cases an untreated mother will deliver a stillborn baby!

Secondly, shame attaches itself to all those persons who are recognized in a community as ones having contacted the diseases that are so common among the young generation. I must say, in all honesty that to a large extent parents are to blame. Many parents are not instructing their children in biblical principles, but to the contrary are endorsing their immoral activities by consenting to the use of contraceptives and other types of birth control which a single person should not need.

Thirdly, another heartbreaking consequence of fornication is that, in many cases it causes a disruption of the sacred marital union. Marriage is not only sacred, it is the closest intimacy which a man and a woman sustain to each other while robed in the flesh! There are certain privileges which marriage allows that are not right when participated in elsewhere; sexual cohabitation is such a privilege (Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-7). When one or both partners is guilty of fornication, the trust, sacredness, and bond of love deteriorates, and confidence crumbles. The greatest hurt, besides losing a loved and respected companion, which a spouse could feel is to discover that one’s mate has violated the marriage bed in having sexual union with a foreigner! Recognizing the magnitude (physical and mental capabilities) of fornication, the Lord specified it as the only reason why the “innocent” party could “put away” the guilty person and remarry (Matt. 19:9). And so often the children have to suffer the heartaches and anxieties of life without having their natural father and/or mother together to jointly rear them. Most adolescents are sensitive to any problems which fornication brings in the home. A great majority of young children have dedicated their lives to drugs, prostitution, violence, and insanity as a result of the disloyalty which they observe between the adults in the family.

Furthermore, when one is stigmatized as a “whoremonger,” reproach of the most abject kind is immediately placed upon him, his family, and the Lord’s church. This has certainly been done in the recent court case in Tulsa, Oklahoma involving a “sister” who admitted to having committed fornication with the former mayor of the town. The publicity has been tremendous. It seems that some believe that the elders and the local congregation acted as villains by reading a letter relative to her sinful actions before the local church in an effort to win her back to righteousness by love. Was this an invasion of privacy? What was private about it? She admitted to having “an affair” (which, in Bible terminology, is fornication)! She exposed herself. It would have been better for her, her children, the mayor, and the church had she repented and stopped fornicating!

When a congregation fails to discharge its duties faithfully toward fornicators and “withdraw” from them, irreparable injury is the consequence. Paul, the Lord’s apostle, understood the influence that immorality has within a community of believers and instructed the Corinthians to rid themselves of the brother who had his father’s wife (1 Cor. 5). It is quite possible that many unbelievers will not obey the gospel because they closely examine the lives of professed believers who are fornicators at heart. This causes the unbelievers to snarl at the truth and harden their hearts beyond the reach of God’s tender mercy, all because of the hypocrisy in the form of immorality in the life of a professed Christian.

Remedies For Fornication

There is help. All hope is not lost. Many were fornicators and came to themselves and decided to quit. They like Moses “chose rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:24-26). The following is a list of things that can be done:

(1) Resolve in your heart that it is a sin against God (cf. Gen. 39:7-18). This will help you to see the severity of the act. If it is against God, then surely it is not desirable. For we should do things which glorify God, because we love Him.

(2) Do not place yourself in a situation where temptation is inevitable. Be wise. Be discreet. Watch the company you keep (1 Cor. 15:33; Prov. 4:14-19). Never be alone with a person of the opposite sex for long periods. When discussions are necessary for various reasons, have present your husband/wife or others who can witness that all is upright and above board.

(3) Preachers need to speak out and expose the sin from the pulpits, the bulletins, and radio programs. All sin must be condemned (2 Tim. 4:1-5). But, while condemning the sin of fornication remember to show concern and kindness to the one “caught up” in it possibly through weakness.

(4) “Flee fornication”! Concerning the emphatic words of Paul (1 Cor. 6:18) pheugete ten porneian, the Expositor’s Greek Testament (p. 820, Vol. 2) says “With vehement abruptness Paul turns from exposition to exhortation. ‘Flee fornication’ – other sins may be combated; this must be fled, as by Joseph in Potiphar’s house.” Friends, Paul gives a direct prohibition against fornication! There is not even one occasion for the Christian to consider committing the act of fornication, for it is, eis to idion soma harmartanei (against the body sinning). The word “flee” is from pheugete which is in the second person plural, present active imperative of pheugo which means “in a moral sense flee from, avoid, shun with accusative of the thing. . . ” (Arndt-Gingrich, p. 863). The fact that pheugete is present imperative connotes plainly the message of Paul. He literally says, “Be ye always fleeing sexual immorality! ” In chapters 5, 6, 7 of the First Corinthian epistle, Paul presents the case for abstinence from “sexual immorality.”

(5) Prayer is very useful. God will hear His children who are seeking to live right. Paul’s exhortation is “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). We are assured by the Hebrew writer, “For we have not a high Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16).

The guaranteed way to receive forgiveness for immoral acts whether in or out of marriage is by means of repentance, confession, and prayer for the sin committed (Acts 8:22-24; 1 Jn. 1:7-9). This is the only way God will forgive any sin! Time is too short and eternity too long for us to take chances. Immorality should be avoided and the Christians must educate, exhort, and warn men about it in compassion, love, and concern for their souls! May God help us all.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 16, pp. 497-499
August 16, 1984

By Frank Jamerson

Several years ago I read an article entitled “Saving the lost and losing the saved.” It lamented the fact that so many who had obeyed the gospel were falling away. The fact that the saved can be lost is clearly taught in the Bible and is too often an observable fact. In this article, we will not argue the fact, but will discuss some of the reasons for it and suggest things that we may do to prevent it.

One reason that many fall away is because of the lack of spiritual leadership. God has provided special leaders in the church in the elders. They are to be “watchmen of souls” (Heb. 13:17), “overseers of the flock” (Acts 20:17,18), and are charged with the responsibility to “tend the flock of God which is among you” (1 Pet.5:2). As spiritual leaders, they have the responsibility to know the needs of the members and oversee the provision of those needs.

Not only do elders have responsibilities, but every spiritually-minded member has an obligation to provide spiritual leadership. Paul said, “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6: 1). To the Ephesians, he said, “From whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love” (Eph. 4:16). Babes in Christ need the spiritual leadership of their more mature brethren.

In our physical families, the newborn is surrounded with attention when he cries. Not only the parents but the other children want to know what is wrong. The same principle should be true in the family of God. The babe should receive our attention instead of being deserted to “sink or swim” as soon as he is born into the family. Not only babes in Christ, but any brother or sister who is undergoing trials or hardships may need our spiritual leadership. Any spiritually minded person can provide a sympathetic ear or an encouraging word, and none of us are immune from the need for those things. Let each of us be alert to the first signs of spiritual problems and provide the leadership that is needed to help the brother or sister through those problems.

Another reason that many fall away is because of evil companionships. We can get into the wrong crowd. Paul said, “Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33). Even the apostle Peter got into trouble because of “Peer Pressure.” He was “warming himself” around the enemies’ campfire, and denied the Lord (Mk. 14:54). Evil companionships “corrupted.” If he had been with good companions, he would not have been tempted. Brethren, can we not see the advantage of forming good companionships? We tell our young people to form good companionships, because we realize the value of it. Do we practice that ourselves? How long has it been since you invited another Christian to your home? How long has it been since you have been invited to the home of another Christian? Are we too busy to form good companionships?

Paul told the Corinthians to “have no company” with the wicked brother, no “not to eat” with him (1 Cor. 5:9,11). Does this not imply that they had been having company and eating with him before? When brethren in Corinth withdrew themselves from that brother, he missed them I Too often today, those who are disciplined are not treated any differently after the withdrawal, because we had no association with them anyway!

Another trend away from hospitality that I see today is churches putting preachers in motels and giving them meal tickets to the nearest restaurant because they have trouble finding anyone who is willing to “put him up” for a week. Some churches have trouble getting enough people to sign up to feed the preacher for a week during a meeting, and maybe some who do are not exactly enthusiastic about it. This may be illustrated by the story of the preacher who went home with a family the first day of a gospel meeting. The family let their young son ride with the preacher to give him directions. When they arrived, the preacher told the woman that her son had told him that they were having buzzard for dinner. The mother was upset with the boy, but he said, “You said yesterday that we may as well go ahead and have the old buzzard and get it over with.” Of course, there are preachers who do not want to be “bothered” with people too!

Brethren, there are benefits in being “given to hospitality” (Rom. 12:13). Speaking personally, not only do I benefit, but our children have greatly benefitted by our keeping the preacher during a gospel meeting. They have actually cried when the visiting preacher left, after having lived with us for a week. If brethren knew what they were missing by not keeping the preacher during meetings, they would have problems deciding who would get him. Many people have extra room, and most preachers enjoy being with people and are not really different from human beings! You don’t have to entertain him; just show hospitality.

The early Christians spent time together. “And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:46). This may account partially for the unity that existed among them. Getting acquainted is closely connected with getting along. Many church fusses today result from the lack of understanding among brethren. “They would have to be friends to talk to one another like that” carries a thought that we should consider. We can worship together from now till the day we die, and we will not really “know” one another unless we associate at home. The failure to do this may have contributed to the “social halls” provided by the church. Brethren recognize the value of eating together, but individuals “will not do it,” so they have substituted the church supported kitchens and “fellowship halls.” Those things are wrong, but is it not also wrong when we do not teach and practice hospitality?

A third reason that many fall away is the failure to study. God, through the prophet Hosea, said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos.4:6). That sounds like a modern day statement of fact. The lack of knowledge among Christians is appalling, and inexcusable. In addition to taking time to read, many could learn without expending effort if they would simply take a tape recorder along on trips and listen to Bible reading or sermons.

Our physical bodies cannot be healthy without proper nourishment. Oh, that our spirits would crave “food” like our bodies do! One meal a week will not keep a person healthy – either spiritually or physically. If we knew how little spiritual food some brethren get, we may wonder why they didn’t die sooner, rather than why they did die! There is no substitute for study. If we do not do it, we will die.

The final reason we suggest for many falling away is a love of the world. The word “worldly” is found twice in the KJV. In Hebrews 9:1 it refers to the physical sanctuary of the Old Testament. Men today may be “worldly” because of too much emphasis on material things. It is used in Titus 2:12 of “worldly lusts.” These are the “lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life” (1 Jn.2:15-17). When Christians do not have their priorities straight, or are not fully committed to Christ, they are easily led away from God. We must realize that spiritual things are more important than physical (Jn.6:27), and that we are to “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess.5:22).

Brethren, we can guard against backsliding ourselves, and we can help others if we will become spiritual leaders, be given to hospitality, study God’s word daily and avoid worldliness in every form.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 17, pp. 513, 533
September 6, 1984