Truth Magazine

By Tom Roberts

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat. but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren” (Lk. 22:31-32).

These are chilling words indeed. They show the reality of Satan’s desire to capture the souls of men. Satan is not an abstract theological concept but a real spiritual entity, an evil force to be reckoned with. How naive we are sometimes to think that Satan is just a character of a “fairy tale,” a figment of our imagination. The Bible instructs us that he is real, an adversary to all of us, and the reason for all temptations. He is an ever present danger and watches for opportunities to strike when our defenses are down. The devil is after you and me.

Jesus knew that Satan would strike Peter and the apostles when the “Chief Shepherd” was taken away. The apostles would be demoralized at the death of Jesus, not understanding the tremendous power of God nor the plan of redemption that was in progress. The Lord had to die in order to be raised, to show the triumph of Christ over Satan. But while the ordeal was in progress, Satan knew that the disciples would be discouraged and that their faith would be low: an opportune time for him to strike.

What was Satan going to do to Peter? “Sift him like wheat. ” What this means is that as wheat was tossed in the air to allow the wind to sift the grain from the chaff, even so Peter was going to be tossed to and fro to see if he had a kernel of true faith that would stand the testing of Satan. “Satan asked to have” Peter. Terrible thought! Has he asked to have us? Who can doubt it? If you have any faith at all, you will be tested. Those without faith are already in Satan’s grasp, but if you have faith in God, you will be tried like Peter. Will your faith withstand the sifting?

Sifting never comes when you are strong. It comes when your defenses are down, when you feel strong temptations. Satan picked the very time to test Peter when he was in turmoil, when he wondered about Christ due to His death, when everyone was scattered and he was alone. At such a time there is no one to help us; our faith in Christ is the lone line of defense against Satan. Will it stand the test? Will we be strong enough to hold out?

While Peter was tossed and turned, even when he denied the Lord, Peter clung to his faith. Much of Peter was chaff. He boasted, “I will never deny thee. ” The testing of Satan reduced Peter to bitter tears after he denied the Lord. All his empty boasting was gone, he was reduced to the ultimate test of all humans: “Do I have faith in Jesus even when I don’t understand all that is happening9 ” Shorn of all human reasoning, strength and effort, can I trust in the Lord?

Thank God that Jesus prayed for Peter! And He has prayed for us (John 17:22ff). We are not left alone, even unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus cares for us and supplies strength for our labors (1 Cor. 15:58; etc.). With Paul, we can say, “I can do all things through him that strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). 1 cannot overcome Satan alone nor with all human help. I must have the Lord. But the strength that God supplies is to increase my faith through supplying the divine word of truth (Rom. 10: 17). Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. He didn’t supply him with supernatural strength any different from that available to us. Jesus has made our faith that we reach the grace of God (Eph. 2:8,9).

What are we to do when we have overcome through our faith? Sit back and boast? No, there is no room for boasting in such matters. It is not our strength that has defeated Satan, but the faith to the saving of the soul” (Heb. 10:39) that is rooted and grounded in Christ. He is our hope and the center and circumference of our faith. So when we have overcome, we are told (as Jesus told Peter), “establish thy brethren.” In Galatians 6:1 we are further instructed, “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. ” We are never above the “sifting” of Satan. But when we are enjoying periods of spiritual strength through our faith and trust in God, we should care about those who are weak, and “overtaken in any trespass. ” We must “establish our brethren.”

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, pp. 173-174
March 15, 1984

By Earl E. Robertson

Much has been said and written about salvation by grace and faith. Some of it has been true to the word of God and some of it untrue. Some preachers holding the doctrine of dispensationalism have contended that the Jews are saved one way and the Gentiles another. However, the speech the apostle Peter made in Jerusalem easily settles the problems raised and promoted by false teachers to all who love the truth. The prevailing prejudice and consequent misunderstanding on the part of the Jew toward the Gentile thinking he could not be saved without the circumcision of Moses’ law caused this meeting in Jerusalem. Luke records the happenings transpiring in this meeting. He says, “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they” (Acts 15:7-11).

God put no difference between Jews and Gentiles in the plan of salvation. He saves one and all alike. This truth is contrary to the contentions of all who teach salvation is a miracle. They all have one saved one way and another saved in a different way. But God put no difference! Peter emphatically states- all must hear the gospel and believe (15:7). But he says the Gentiles were saved by faith while stating the Jew would, through the grace of the Lord, be saved even as they. If it required grace to save the Jew but he was to be saved the same way as the Gentile, then it necessitated grace to save the Gentile; and since the Gentile was saved by faith, but the Jew was to be saved “even as they,” then it required the Jews to believe to be saved. Peter said they should “hear the word of the gospel, and believe.” The word of this gospel is the word of God’s grace (Acts 143; 20:24), and it instructs (Tit. 2:11, 12). But this gospel demands that man believe it (cf. Mk. 16:15, 16). Briefly, this is God’s grace and man’s faith. No, it is not a fifty-fifty proposition! It is not Gods grace and God’s faith; it is God’s grace and man’s faith. Acts 2 and 10 show what is involved in the salvation of both. It was evidence presented through gospel preaching; faith in the heart of the hearers; repentance – a change in mind as a result of having heard the gospel, which also changes the way of life; and baptism into Christ for the remission of sins. Read Acts 2 and 10 along with Acts 15 and see for yourself that all are saved alike, that God reveals His grace through the gospel and man accepts the terms or conditions stated therein to the saving of his soul.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, pp. 174-175
March 15, 1984

By Bobby Witherington

Men, how would you react if the elders of the local church should compose the following guidelines with regards to your appearance in worship?: (1) Men . . . must wear dress shirts, ties, dress slacks, and dress shoes. (2) Jeans are not allowed . . . (3) Tennis shoes are not acceptable dress. (4) Shirts with writing and cartoons on them are not appropriate dress. (5) Hair styles must be neat, trim, and clean.

Ladies, how would you react if the elders of the local church should compose the following guidelines with regards to your appearance in worship?: (1) Women . . . are required to wear dresses, skirts, and blouses, or pant outfits, and all must be coordinated and conservative in style. (2) Strapless or spaghetti strap dresses and bare midriffs are not acceptable. (3) Dress shoes and hosiery are required with every outfit. (4) Tennis shoes are not appropriate dress. (5) Jeans are not allowed . . . (6) Shirts with writing and cartoons on them are not appropriate dress. (7) Hair styles must be neat, trim, and clean.

Most brethren would resent receiving from the elders a published set of dress guidelines. “They are over stepping their bounds,” many would say. Others would say, “they are binding what God has not bound.” And many would go on wearing what they wanted to wear, however inappropriate for the occasion.

However, the preceding “Dress and Grooming Code” has been composed and imposed! Not by the elders of this church. Nor by the elders of any congregation that I know of. But by Sears, Roebuck & Co. for its sales persons in the “Los Angeles Group.” Amazingly enough, they make no apology for their “dress and grooming code.” They do, however, offer this explanation: “There is no substitute for good judgment in appropriate dress. Our customers deserve and expect to shop in a pleasant, professional-appearing, courteous environment. Our employment relies on our ability to attract and retain the business of our customers.

Observation

Jesus, on one occasion, said, “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (Luke 16:8). Could it be that, with regards to the items herein under consideration, the officials in charge at Sears, Roebuck “are in their generation wiser than the children of light”? Of course, the Sears, Roebuck “dress and grooming code” was designed with one main objective in mind – the desire “to attract and retain the business” of their customers. But our desire “to attract and retain” the approval of God and the interest of others ought to be at least as great as is the desire of Sears, Roebuck for the “business” of others! When Joseph was called from prison to meet with Pharaoh “he shaved himself, and changed his raiment” and then “came in unto Pharaoh” (Gen. 41:14). As we would say, he “put his best foot forward.” Appearance-wise, he showed respect for the king of Egypt. When a smelly, long-haired, bearded, ragged, and filthy hoodlum is apprehended for a crime, and later appears in court because of his crime, what preparation does he make for his court appearance? Among other things, he takes a bath, cuts his hair, trims his beard, and wears a nice suit. Why? Because he wants to make a good impression on the judge and jury. In so doing, he has a better chance of getting a light sentence or perhaps (as conditions now are) no sentence at all.

Conclusion

To my knowledge, the elders here have never even discussed imposing on the members here a “dress and grooming code.” And I am not suggesting that they either compose or impose such a code. But I do concur with the officials at Sears, Roebuck, “there is no substitute for good judgment in appropriate dress.” Especially when we assemble together to worship God! And when we, in these assemblies, “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Heb. 10:24). Whether or not we care to admit it, our dress and appearance reflect our respect for the occasion. Frankly, I believe some of our brothers (and sisters) in Christ could well afford to show more respect for the worship occasion!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, p. 175
March 15, 1984

By Dick Blackford

My teachers always told me that a preposition was something you should never end a sentence with. I plead guilty in this narrative, and now that you know it let’s talk about something more profitable.

I remember a time when my wife and I drove 35 miles in a blinding storm to baptize a lady into Christ. It was inconvenient but we were happy to do it. However, that was not the most inconvenient baptism of which I speak.

Another occasion comes to remembrance when I baptized a lady in the hospital. She was dying of cancer. A tub was prepared for the baptizing. It was among the inconvenient baptisms I recall, but not the most inconvenient.

When I was in college the family I lived with showed me an old, worn black and white photograph made on their farm in the wintertime. Ice had to be broken on the pond so a baptism could take place. These incidents tell of the importance these folks attached to baptism. They must have believed it was necessary. Still, none of these is the baptism of which I am thinking.

Acts 16:16-34

The most inconvenient baptism known to me is this one. Paul and Silas had false charges made against them. Their clothes were torn off. They were imprisoned, beaten, and their feet were fastened tight in the stocks. All of these were unjust actions. The Philippian jailer was impressed with the behavior of Paul and Silas. They had been singing hymns instead of complaining. They had a chance to escape but did not. They even saved his life for he almost committed suicide when he thought they had vanished after the earthquake. Having already been mistreated why would they expect justice to prevail by remaining? He represented the government that was responsible for all of this. Here was a crucial moment that became the turning point in his life. Paul and Silas had something he needed and wanted, so he asked the most intelligent question a person can ask “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v. 30). They said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved . . .” (v. 31).

Don’t Stop!

Now, most denominational preachers stop right here. These men say the jailer was saved at verse 31 and then don’t bother to tell the rest of the story. They remind me of the atheist who threw his Bible away because the hero got killed right in the middle and he saw no point in finishing the book! The next verse (v. 32) says they “spake unto him the word of the Lord.” In v. 31 they told him to believe and in v. 32 they told him what to believe. By having him “saved” at v. 31 these preachers have him saved before he heard the gospel! If one can be saved before he hears the gospel then Jesus’ death is worthless (Rom. 1: 16; 1 Cor. 15:1-5). It is one thing to tell a person to believe and quite another to tell him what to believe. After speaking “the word of the Lord” to him, he “took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes (indicating his repentance)” and was baptized immediately (v. 33).

Why Baptism?

How did he know to be baptized? It is part of the “word of the Lord.” Jesus had said “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. . . ” (Mk. 16:16). In speaking unto him “the word of the Lord” is it likely that they would not even mention the last thing our Lord said about salvation before he left the earth – never to return again until judgment day? Notice also that the rejoicing came after the baptism (v. 34).

The Inconvenience

They had just been through a severe earthquake; a near suicide, the wounds of Paul and Silas needed attention; it was after midnight; they had to go elsewhere for the baptizing, plus other possible inconveniences regarding safety from the earthquake and the Roman government. They must have taught him and he must have believed baptism to be absolutely necessary. It couldn’t even wait til morning! Why didn’t they stop him? Strange, if baptism is not essential. Some churches store up baptismal candidates for several weeks until they have enough to justify getting the preacher wet. Prior to this point it is “too inconvenient.” The real truth is they don’t believe (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Which way does your church teach it?

In all of my life this, my friends, is the most inconvenient baptism I ever heard of. And now you know the rest of the story.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, pp. 182-183
March 15, 1984