Truth Magazine

By Philip A. Owens

(Introductory Note. Phillip Owens does the work of an evangelist with the Holland’s Gin Church of Christ on Upper Elkton Rd. in Limestone County, near the County Seat at Athens. After being disturbed by Edward Fudge’s corrupt influence a few years ago, the congregation has benefitted from the steadying influence of Alvin Holt for some time. Phillip is now carrying on the work in a fine way. At 24 years of age, he is among the many fine young preachers who have a good grasp on fundamental principles of the gospel. Midfield is his “home” congregation, where his parents and grandmother still attend. His dad has served long and faithfully as a deacon. Phillip expresses himself clearly -there is no uncertain sound when he preaches Christ and Him crucified. I am happy to commend him to our readers, and to encourage him to develop his talents in using the pen as well as the pulpit as a medium of proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ron Halbrook, 541 Midfield St., Midfield, AL 35228)

Is the grave man’s dreadful end, after which he has no existence and should therefore “grab all the gusto” because d6you only go around once in life?” Or is there life after death? The sad but yet true sentiment of many is the former. But we can and ought to rejoice that the God of Heaven has promised a life with blessings beyond comprehension for the faithful. While life everlasting is promised few, only because few will accept Jehovah’s salvation on His conditions, an existence is also promised for the unfaithful and disobedient. This life will continue forever (the same as for the righteous), but in the most horrid, dreadful, and torturous conditions imaginable. Yes, “If a man die,” he shall live again. But what of this afterlife?

Living Again

Job asked our question and answered it within the same verse. “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Till my release (change – KJV) should come” (Job 14:14). The release or change that Job stated would come after death intimates the general resurrection of all men, about which Paul expressly wrote in the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians. Christ also answered the question in language we can’t help but understand when He said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.” (Jn. 5:28,29).

If we were not promised anything after this life, in many ways we would be in no better conditions nor have any greater hope than the beasts of the field. Indeed, “If the dead are not raised . . . we are of all men most miserable” (1 Cor. 15:16,19). With Paul, we could truthfully say, “If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). It seems though, that many do not believe the foregoing, but rather have the rich man’s attitude: “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry,” concerned about physical life, but indifferent concerning their destiny after death. But to more fully comprehend Biblical teaching relative to afterlife, we need to know something about physical life itself.

What Is Life?

Man is a composite being. When God Almighty breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life, he became a living soul or being. Physical life animated his physical body. This was done miraculously at the beginning. Through the natural laws of procreation which God set in force, man and woman produce offspring which have physical life. But man was distinguished from the lower creation in that God “created man in his own image” (Gen. 1:27). The image in which God created man was that God gave man an eternal spirit which would abide forever. “God is a Spirit,” and since “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom on God,” God gives all men a spirit or soul – something which does not consist of flesh and blood – so we may enter Heaven (Jn. 4:24; 1 Cor. 15:50). But James says “as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). Therefore, if physical death is the separation of body and spirit, life is the joining and intertwining of body and spirit.

What Is Death?

But the body returns to dust, and in some tragic cases, no remains are found after death. Is the physical body then revived or “changed” when man shall “live again”? No, for some would have nothing to change. So the end for our physical bodies is the grave. But since death is simply the separation of body and spirit, what happens to the spirit? It returns “unto God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7) in a place God designed for man’s spirit until the day of judgment. This place for disembodied spirits is called Hades, vividly pictured and designated by Christ in Luke 16 as a place of conscious bliss or torment. Therefore, death is not a ceasing to exist, but a separation of one’s spirit from his body. The body returns to the natural elements which compose it, ceasing to live; the spirit continues to exist and forever will! (Matt. 25:41,46; Acts 24:15; Rom. 2:7; Gal. 6:8).

An interesting observation is here in order concerning death being only a separation. In Revelation 21:8, John said, “But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” All must die physically; it is an appointment everyone must meet, except the Lord return first (Heb. 9:27). But the “second death” does not refer to a body and spirit separation – it has already occurred. This separation is from God and the blessings he bestows upon the faithful. Hear Paul’s inspired commentary: “At the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Therefore, we all die once, but sadly, many will die the second death. It is this death we are to dread; both if we are unprepared.

Where Will We Live?

Job said his “change” would come, as all of ours will. That change will be when God raises our spirits from Hades and clothes them with an immortal body, destined for one of two places – Heaven or Hell. It is interesting to note that as Paul discusses this very subject, illustrating the resurrected body as a grain sown and springing forth into a different body, he later said, “I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed” (1 Cor. 15:5 1). The “change should come” which Job anticipated is therefore the same “change” about which Paul so definitively wrote, and precedes our sentencing.

When we are sentenced by “the righteous judge,” there will be no higher court to which we may appeal. God’s sentencing is irrevocable, and our destinies unalterable. Following sentencing, the righteous will “inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.” It is described as a place where neither hunger, thirst, tears, nor anything unclean can enter, and where saints are “before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them” (Rev. 7:15). Such glory, rest, peace, and the majesty of God is unfathomable.

While on the other hand, God’s sentencing will deliver the disobedient and unfaithful into outer darkness, where excruciating pain causes weeping and gnashing of teeth. This everlasting abode for many is described as a lake of fire that burns with fire and brimstone, and into which the wicked are cast, helplessly bound “hand and foot” (Rev. 21:8; Matt. 22:13).

Yes, “If a man die” he shall live again. Where we live now is immaterial. After death though, where will mean everything. Are you prepared to die? We all shall live again; by God’s grace and our faith and obedience it will be in Heaven. Without our humble submission to His will, eternal punishment is our lot. Accept His grace offered by obedience to His terms for salvation. Believe that Christ is God’s Son (Jn. 8:24), repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), be buried in baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3,4), and live faithfully until the end. It is God’s desire and man’s only hope to live eternally with God.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 10, pp. 308-309
May 17, 1984

By Ron Daly

If not explicitly stated, the above title is at least implied by persons who are determined to compromise their convictions (?) In religion or who are ignorant concerning the teaching of the New Testament relative to conformity in doctrine.

This relatively recent change in attitude toward the authority of the Bible is attributed to several factors, viz. (1) a general misapprehension of what constitutes fellowship in the New Testament (1 Jn. 1:5-10); (2) a false concept of love which has led some to become soft towards error, i.e., many believe that exposing error in explicit terms (such as Jesus did with regard to the Pharisees in Matt. 23) does not emanate from a heart filled with concern, but is the product of an arrogant, conceited heart; (3) ecumenical councils established to promulgate a “unity in diversity” concept in religion; (4) the erroneous view that adherence to doctrine is irrelevant (i.e., the view that one must accept the basic fact of the gospel. [viz, the deity of Christ, and the basic act, immersion in water] but other differences, even doctrines diametrically opposed to one another are not grounds for the withholding of fellowship). None of the constituents of the “Let Us Agree To Disagree” philosophy are in harmony with the Scriptures and ought to be unequivocally rejected!

In matters of doctrine there can be no “agreement to disagree.” One’s teaching (doctrine) conforms to the New Testament or it does not. A doctrine is scriptural or it is not. One is in fellowship with God and God’s children based on the truth or he is not (Jn. 17:17, 20-22). One is abiding in the doctrine of Christ or he is not (2 Jn. 9-11)!

The “Let Us Agree To Disagree” theory has no logical stopping point. If we may “fellowship” the Christian Church with its perversions of worship (e.g., instrumental music, choirs, et.al.) Claiming that the differences are only doctrinal, what about Baptists who wear religious titles of distinction, teach the impossibility of apostasy, and deny the essentiality of being in the New Testament church in order to be saved? What about Methodists who practice sprinkling and pouring for “baptism” and teach that infant membership is scriptural? What about Presbyterians who teach inborn sin, and the direct operation of the Holy Spirit? What about Pentecostals who practice “tongue speaking,” perform “miracles,” and claim present day immersion in the Spirit? Are these not doctrinal matters? Can we not “Agree to Disagree” in these areas? No, friends, we cannot!

One reason why religious discussions are so uncommon is, the majority of professed “Christians” have resolved that it does not matter what one believes as long as one loves Jesus and is honest. But, they have conveniently forgotten that Jesus said, “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments . . . he that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me . . .” (Jn. 14:15, 21). The apostle John penned these words, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 Jn. 5:3). So, the denominational view that doctrine (i.e, the teaching of God’s word, including the keeping of His commandments, obedience) is not essential, and therefore, insignificant is fallacious! In matters that concern any concept (fundamental) of Christianity, the faith, or the gospel, there can be no “agreement to disagree,” because there is only one faith (Eph. 4:5; Gal. 1:6-9) , and anyone or anything that differs with it is wrong (2 Jn. 9-11)!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 10, p. 307
May 17, 1984

By Irven Lee

0ne of the common requests of the irreligious to those of us who are interested in their spiritual welfare is, “Don’t push me!” What do they mean? They are actually asking that we let them alone in their indifference and worldliness. Their demand may sometimes be: “Don’t preach to me!”

Unfaithful members of the church and those who have never obeyed the first principles of the religion of Christ may explain that they may be active Christians sometime but that they will make up their own minds when they do. They do not admit that others may influence them. They think they will make their own decisions without outside aid.

The Gospel Must Be Preached

Shall we obey God or men? The very great commission given by the Christ to His disciples was that they go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:46,47). “Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). According to the Bible, preaching is not in vain (Rom. 10:17).

The seed is the word of God, and people are to go out over the earth sowing this seed (Luke 8:4-15). The sower goes forth to sow, but some people will not receive the message. The hearts of some may refuse the word to the same extent that the roadway will not receive seed that they may grow and produce a good harvest. In years past people have said, “I appreciate your invitation, but I am just not ready. I will sometime.” Now, similar people try to make us feel that we are guilty of some evil called “pushing them” when we “preach” to them.

Protecting From The Gospel?

Some members of the church have decided that we should not try to talk to them at all about their souls because they will resent our “pushing them.” “Just be friendly with them, hunt with them, play ball with them, etc.” Do we ever mention Christ, or the church, or the Bible? If so, when and how? Would only a casual invitation to visit the worship service sometime be all we would ever dare do or say to them? When did hunting and fishing ever become more powerful than the story of Jesus? These irreligious people are not comfortable when they are reminded of the Christ who offers to redeem those who are obedient and who will judge the whole world in righteousness. Those who do not want to be “pushed” are usually the very ones that are not about to come and sit down to listen to a sermon. Will they be converted without the gospel?

Most of us talk enough about the weather, the economy, politics, and the threat of war. Who is there who needs to talk more of these things? If we talk to people twenty minutes about these things and two minutes about Christ, we are told that we must not “push them.” Their relatives may also advise that we not “push them” because these irreligious people have told them how they feel. The devil is putting across his point to these relatives.

We cannot force obedience, and it is possible for us to be impatient and unreasonable, but most of us touch this effort too lightly rather than with too much “push. ” We are much more likely to be timid about trying to save souls than to be overly zealous.

Paul reviewed his work at Ephesus in talking with the elders of the church (Acts 20:17-38). Please study this chapter carefully. “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God . . . . Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Was Paul too “pushy”? Would he have done much more good by talking about the rights of slaves or the political errors of Caesar?

The first few chapters in Acts tell of the work of the twelve and of the thousands of converts at Jerusalem. “Daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). Were they possibly guilty of this excessive zeal? They were very successful and, when persecution scattered them, they “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Let us get our instruction from the holy men of God who were moved by the Holy Spirit rather than from those who love “soft soap” in our day. Jude suggested that we earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). He was one of those who knew the power of the gospel and the right way of the Lord (Rom. 1:16).

Conclusion

Church people have, in many cases, become so weak in the faith that they just do not put on the whole armor and take the sword of the Spirit to fight a good fight. We are allowing the atheistic humanists to “push” us into a cave while they dominate the thinking of our nation. They use the television networks, the educational system, the courts, and Congress to set the standards of life for Americans, and they are teaching men to live according to the standards of animals in the jungle. We, as weak Christians, should be ashamed of our silence rather than of our being “pushy.” Some have well said that our silence is yellow rather than golden.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 10, p. 306
May 17, 1984

By Ward Hogland

Brother Reuel Lemmons gave three big cheers for the pope in his March article in Action, a paper published on the West coast by Jimmie Lovell. He said, “Critical Cardinals have jumped all over the pope for his laudatory assessment of Martin Luther’s work, and his announced plans to preach in a Lutheran church.” He went on to say the cranky Cardinals have circulated a letter condemning the pope. What Reuel didn’t tell is that those so-called “cranky Cardinals” didn’t condemn the pope for speaking in a Lutheran church but for giving encouragement to Lutheran doctrine! Even the “critical Cardinals” knew that one cannot fit the round peg of Catholicism into the square hole of Lutheranism. On this basis I beg to differ with brother Lemmons. Instead of giving the pope three cheers I think he needs three kicks in the seat of the pants! There is a vast difference in preaching in a building and giving aid to the enemy by acquiescing to his doctrine.

After giving three cheers to the pope, he turned on his own brethren by making three serious charges. He condemned all Christians who claim we are the only Christians. He said, “The self assumed claim that we are the only Christians. ” Second, “We have arrived at ultimate truth, and if others want it they can come to us and get it.” Third, “The right to determine who is a Christian.” To justify his position, he used the old cliche “We are not that perfect in all our judgments.” Kind friend, have we drifted so far that we cannot identify a Christian? Have we become so bent by the logomachy of Calvinism that we stand for nothing? Brother Lemmons talked about Christians having the truth and others having to come to us to get it. The first part of his statement is truth; the second part is prejudicial! Who ever claimed that people have to come to us for truth? Kind friend, the truth is in the Bible.

He bemoans the fact we are the only Christians. Was the Lord the only true Lord? Was Noah and his family the only ones saved in the ark? Were the apostles the only ones to impart gifts of the Spirit? Is there only one true church? Is there only one Spirit, God, Body, Lord, Faith and Hope? If my brethren would stop giving cheers to the pope long enough to study their Bibles, they would find the word only is not so bad! You know, I do not know everything, neither am I perfect but one thing I know and that is that I must know the truth in order to be free. So at least, I can know something. Several years ago an infidel told me, “Hogland, we don’t know anything for sure.” I laugh at the time but now my brethren are telling me the same! Kind friend, you are not perfect but you had better know that baptism is essential to salvation, that the Lord’s Supper is to be observed every Sunday, that it is wrong to lie, steal and commit adultery, that the Lord established one church, that there is a God in heaven who loves you and wants you saved, and that he has given you the power of choice.

I differ with brother Lemmons on all three points. First, I believe Christians are the only ones to be saved. Second I believe we can know the identity of a Christian and third I believe the Christian must know the truth in order to be saved. Think it over because it is later than you think.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 10, p. 305
May 17, 1984