Truth Magazine

By Bill Cavender

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd” (John 10:16).

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21).

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us . . . . that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph. 2:13-16). “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).

These Scriptures, with many others, teach the oneness which must characterize the true followers of Jesus Christ. Men cannot justify religious divisions by the Scriptures, either in and among churches of our Lord, or in denominationalism and Catholicism. If all men believed only the word of God, all would be one religiously – in name, doctrine, practice and worship. When the apostles of Jesus were living, those who followed Jesus in that first century wore only the religious name of Christian, all worshiped God through Jesus Christ in the same manner, all observed the same acts of worship, all were members of the same body which is the church of Christ, and all obeyed the same will of God in service to Jesus (Acts 11:26; John 4:23-24; Acts 2:41, 47; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Matt. 7:21-28, etc.).

There should be only one fold and one Shepherd. Scripturally, there can only be one. The one fold is the one church. “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). Jesus is the one Shepherd (John 10:11,14). “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).

Jesus’ disciples are to be one: in name, desire, aim, hope, belief, practice, worship, teaching and love” (John 17:20-21). One great reason, if not the greatest, for the unbelief, ungodliness, and disdain for religion in the world today is the divided state of those who claim to be followers of Jesus. Among the brethren the alienations, strifes and divisions, and the opinions and extremes of brethren, are of epidemic proportions. The unity about which Jesus taught and for which He prayed is not a unity of existing, warring religious bodies and factions, for such denominational factionalism did not exist in the first century. The unity which God’s word teaches is that of individuals, both Jews and Gentiles, converted to Jesus Christ through His word, walking by faith (Jas. 1:21, 18; 2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17; Matt. 18:1-4). Paul said, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). Again He said, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-29).

We hear and read much about “ecumenical councils,” “ecumenicalism,” “denominational mergers,” and “unity meetings.” We read of preachers, priests and rabbis who meet together in common services and in “ministerial alliances.” This pseudo-unity is no unity at all, for all retain their divisive religious names, doctrines, worships and practices. This is union without unity, compromise without conviction.

Men will not achieve the unity which is pleasing to God and which the New Testament teaches until they believe and practice what is clearly taught in the New Testament, and are willing to lay aside all their doctrines, practices, names and opinions which are not in the New Testament. God’s word is not contradictory, It is harmonious and produces harmony and unity among those who believe and obey it. Only when men believe in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, will they be truly united with God in Christ, and with one another (Eph. 4:1-6). “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). We are united together in Christ by the doing of His will, or we are not united at all. One fold and one Shepherd is still God’s will. Are you willing to lay aside and give up all denominational names, acts of worship, false plans of salvation, man-made churches and creeds, all denominational dogmas, and all human opinions in order to make the prayer of Jesus a reality? Would to God that all who may read this would be willing to do so?

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 16, p. 484
August 16, 1984

By Don R. Hastings

Most youngsters in an audience can quickly guess who I am referring to when I say that this popular Old Testament character possessed supernatural strength. He was God’s strong man. He was the Hebrew’s Hercules. His superhuman strength amazes us. Most of us enjoy watching the amazing feats accomplished by very strong men. However, none of them can compare with Samson.

Whoever killed a thousand soldiers ‘ with nothing more than a bone for his weapon (15:14-16)? Who else, but Samson, could have pulled up the heavy, massive gate to a city and carried it to the top of a mountain (16:3)? Samson demonstrated his great strength once again when he moved “the two middle pillars upon which the house rested . . . and the house fell . . .” (16:27-31).

Samson was very courageous, for he would fight the Philistines by himself, regardless of the number of Philistines (15:6-8, 14-16). He must have been very fast for he “caught 300 foxes . . .” (15:3-5).

Samson’s physical endowments did not help him overcome Satan. Satan is not frightened by anyone’s physical strength. Our defense against Satan is the Word of God (Matt. 4; Eph. 6:10-17). Samson failed to bring his passions under control. He did not practice self-control. He would resist a Philistine army, but not a Philistine woman.

Samson Lived A Sinful Life

Samson refused to listen to the wise counsel of his parents as they advised him against such a marriage (14:3). Samson’s response was, “Get her for me: for she pleaseth me well” (14:3). He did not consider what would please his parents, or more importantly, what would please Jehovah!

Judges 14:4 means that God used Samson’s obstinate determination to take a Philistine wife as a means to cause Samson to become so angry with the Philistines that he would kill them. God does not want us to violate His word. God used Pharaoh’s stubbornness to reveal His glorious power. We make a very serious mistake when we choose, as our close friends, those who do not fear God, reverence or worship Him!

Don’t Make The Same Mistake As Samson

Like Isaac, Samuel, John the Baptist, and Jesus, Samson’s birth was foretold (13: 1). He was to be a Nazarite all his life (13:3,7). As a Nazarite, he was not to drink or eat anything connected with grapes, cut his hair, or come near a dead body (Num. 6:1-8). The Lord was with him and gave him supernatural strength as long as his hair was not cut (16:15-17,20).

Manoah humbly prayed for Divine guidance in rearing Samson (13:8,12). What a wonderful example for us to follow! How often do you pray for wisdom from above in rearing your children? Are you following God’s instructions (Prov., Eph. 6:1-4)?

As Samson grew, “Jehovah blessed him” (13:24,25). Samson is a good example that proves Proverbs 22:6 is a general rule that has exceptions. Samson was a bitter disappointment to his parents (Prov. 17:25; 10:1). Are you a disappointment to your parents and to God?

Samson Sinned Because He Chose To Marry An Evil Woman (14:1,2)

God had forbidden marriages between His children, the Israelites, and other nations (Deut. 7:1-3). God knew that such marriages would lead His children away from Him (Deut. 7:4; 1 Kings 11:4; Neh. 13:23-27).

Make up your mind now that you are going to marry one who loves the Lord, and never change your mind! If you love the Lord, why would you want to enter into the closest of all human relationships with one who:

I . Is a child of the devil?

2. Holds in contempt the Bible, church, worship, prayer, Jesus, etc.?

3. Lives by a different standard?

4. Wants to live in sin?

5. Has his mind totally on earthly things?

6. Will try to counteract all the good your example and teaching does for your children?

7. Will try to discourage you from faithfully following and serving the Lord; thus, causing you to fall from God’s favor and be eternally tormented?

It is to our eternal sorrow when we choose our close companions from among the enemies of God! Will we never learn the truth that “evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33; Prov. 1:10; 4:14)? Know the joy of being united with one who loves the Lord as fervently as you do!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 16, p. 489
August 16, 1984

By Lewis Willis

Perhaps I should explain why I write on some of the subjects covered in these articles. (1) We need to know what is going on in the religious world around us lest we make the same mistakes they are making. (2) We need to see clearly the end of the “Social Gospel” concept which so many of our brethren have borrowed from denominationalism. (3) Those brethren who clamor that we establish a fellowship with the “heirs of the Restoration Movement” need to know the kinds of things we will have to fellowship now or in the future if we follow their counsel. (4) Possibly those who professed in the past to see no difference between a water fountain in the church building and having a basket dinner in the building can be led to see a difference between that water fountain and a bowling alley. I have seen in my lifetime the concept of basket dinners turned into basketball courts in the facilities provided by the church but I have not seen the concept of a water fountain turned into such things. Hopefully these articles can help.

A reader in Glen Cove, N.Y. recently sent me a Newsweek article (10/24/83) regarding a friendly competition between two Houston, TX “Super churches” and their recreational activities. The 8,000-member Second Baptist Church has decided to build them a new building. There is nothing so extraordinary about that except they plan to spend $34 million on theirs. One of the members, a bank official, thought this extravagant. After all, the church was going to spend $2 million more than was spent to build the Astrodome! He said, “I had a long list of questions.” For instance, “Why eight bowling lanes?” However, when it came time to vote on the proposed structure, he voted “Yes.” His reason, “It’s really the best fellowship sport you can have …. And you can do it whether you’re two or 92, and go out at night in a safe environment and in fellowship with other members. So it makes sense to me. ” Yes, but how much sense does it make to the Lord? And, what in the world is “fellowship sport”? I guess that is what Acts 2:42 is all about!

The reason this “super church” is going all out on a new building is to compete with First Baptist. The article notes that “Second Baptist plays a scrappy Avis to First Baptist’s Hertz.” The Second Baptist receptionist even answers the telephone with a cheerful “Exciting Second!”

Well, what has First Baptist done to so challenge Second Baptist? They went out on 1-10 and built a facility that must be something to behold. In their Christian Life Center (our liberal brethren carefully guard themselves by calling their facilities Family Life Centers; anyone can see the scriptural difference in the two) they have “two full-size basketball courts, a roller rink, six bowling lanes, four glassed-in racquetball courts, a suspended jogging track, saunas, whirlpool baths and a restaurant called The Garden of Eatin’. ” There you have it folks! Second Baptist must be able to compete with this if they are to become “Exciting First.” I have read where some of our brethren have built basketball courts in their buildings. I am wondering why they don’t have roller rinks and suspended jogging tracks. Do you suppose they consider these to be unscriptural?

You know me, that Garden of Eatin’ restaurant just fascinates me. It has such massive potential. You could build little shop in one corner of this super church facility for delicatessen and call it The Devil’s Deli! See what I mean? In another corner you could have a candy shop and call it Satan’s Sweets. A bar in another part of the building could be given the name of Lucifer’s Lounge. Do you see the potential?

The preacher from the South Main Baptist Church in Houston is critical of these two super churches. Their staffs have 100 or more people to handle all of this playhouse activity. The critic said, “. . . its pastor can become like the chief executive of a corporation.” He is exactly right. Such operations are corporations – Entertainment Corporations – functioning in the guise of a church with all the tax exempt status such affords.

The super church answers its critics by explaining, “Everything we’re doing has a hook in it.” Obviously, they intend to develop some numbers by using the appeal of recreation instead of using the Gospel power to convert them (Rom. 1: 16). I was just thinkin’, if they would call that “hook” by the name the New Testament gives it, perhaps many would not be deceived by it. The Scriptures call this “hook” a “snare!” “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Tim. 6:9). The Devil is a deceitful ole character who uses many wiles (Eph. 6:11). If he can get us to turn the church into a Playhouse, he will!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 15, p. 463
August 2, 1984

By Titus Edwards

Youth has never been an easy time in a person’s life to get through, especially today. There is a kind of a “good news – bad news” aspect to it. Youth is a time of rapid change, experimentation, searching, and having fun. It is a time of energy, strength, idealism, and life. But for many troubled teenagers, it has become a time for despair, heartaches, and troubles. Teenage suicide has risen dramatically having doubled in the last 10 years and tripled in the last 20 years. Young people are at a time in their lives when they are making decisions that will affect much of the rest of their lives. Indeed, youth is the crossroads of life.

I believe that God can help young people through their youth. He can help them make the right decisions. He can teach them how to truly enjoy their youth and be happy, avoiding despair. God is truly concerned about young people and has given instructions in His Word to help them.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psa. 119:9). The cleansing of the way referred to here involves purity from sin – the pursuit of holiness. How does such come? By listening to God’s Word! God’s revelation addresses itself to the problems of youth.

I have been asked to write a series of articles under th heading, “How Shall The Young Secure Their Hearts?” I believe that young people need and are deserving of our attention. We may have lost many of them because we have overlooked them in our preaching. More than just a special lesson every few years on young people is needed. Everyday applications in sermons to young people is important. Preaching that is simple and straight- forward is important, rather than preaching over their heads.

The title of these articles comes from a song by Isaac Watts, that is in some of our songbooks.

“How shall the young secure their hearts,

and guard their lives from sin?

Thy word the choicest rules imparts

to keep the conscience clean . . . . “

To secure the heart is to free it from fear, worry and danger. It is to make fast, to be assured and certain; protected. Young people (as well as everybody else) need a heart like this. In the next several months we will deal with different things that we hope will be helpful to young people in accomplishing this. We hope you will watch for these articles and share them with the young people you know.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 15, p. 458
August 2, 1984