Truth Magazine

By Dennis C. Abernathy

All who are zealous for God, realize the importance of faithful attendance to Bible classes. We understand the importance of studying the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:13; Acts 17:11; Jn. 5:39), of doing that which we know is good (Jas. 4:17), of the consideration we ought to have toward our brethren in provoking unto love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25), of being steadfast, firm, and abounding in the Lord’s work (1 Cor. 15:58). Because we understand the importance of these things, we are constantly encouraging brethren to be faithful in their attendance to Bible classes, and to take an active part therein. But in spite of the teaching, pleading and encouraging, more often than not the effort seems futile. The class attendance lags far behind the regular preaching services. You feel frustrated at times – nothing seems to create interest!

I was reading from a bulletin (from a huge liberal church, incidently) and ran across the following with reference to a Wednesday evening class. It seems that many who wanted to attend and participate were turned away, due to lack of space. So this year, they are having the class again and stated: “So, if you were frustrated last year, or if your interest is kindled this year, please contact, etc.” With reference to another class on Colossians, it is being repeated also for “the benefit of those who were squeezed out this summer.” Imagine that! People with a desire to attend Bible class, but the class is so full, they have to be turned away.

My point: If there is to be frustration, let it be from overcrowded classes, and not from a failure to even attend classes. My brother and sister in Christ, if you have a desire for spiritual things, and you love the church, you will be regular in your attendance to Bible classes. Remember, Paul said, “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 3, p. 81
February 2, 1984

By Irven Lee

Several people who have been very active in church work for years have recently become impure and unfaithful to their marriage partners. Who can explain this? Why are such shocking reports coming to our attention so often? There are possibly many factors involved.

The efforts of humanists to destroy faith through the news media, schools, etc., have evidently succeeded at least in weakening the faith of many. Those affected may be people of the world who became more corrupt or active church people who became cont . ed. Our nation is sick morally and spiritually. This sickness is contagious.

There is need for tenderness and love in the home. Some have told us that infants develop more normally if they are handled and loved in those early weeks of life. The child and the parents need these strong ties that bind them together. This gives the child a sense of security, and the adults have joy in parenthood. There is need for affection expressed between husbands and wives, and between parents and children. Our materialistic, pleasure-mad world starves for love and kindness.

The church is meant to be one great family where love abounds (John 13:34,35). Active good will is to reach out in all directions from the devout Christian. Love that does not manifest itself in some way may not actually be love. If we love God, we keep His commandments (John 14:15,21,23). Love for the brethren is expressed in many ways (e.g., 1 Cor. 13:4-8; 1 John 3:14-19).

Mention is made of the holy kiss (Rom. 16:16; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Peter. 5:14). The word “holy” deserves emphasis in this expression because there is also the unholy kiss (Prov. 7:13). America is entertained by television programs where lasciviousness seems to be the main ingredient. The unholy kiss is one item in these corrupt displays.

There is more freedom of expression in our day in conversation and in display of affection among good people. Things are discussed freely in these days that would not have been mentioned in groups a few years ago. There is much more use of the embrace and the kiss in our time. It may te hard to know when to offer a word of warning about this freedom. Proper affection may be expressed with discretion at any time.

Sometimes when some preacher is found guilty of immorality people recall that for some time he had been free with his hands as he greeted the women in the church. There is no worthy place for the unholy kiss or the embrace of lust. Let those who accept the freedom of our times beware. Be sure that the affection expressed is not lust. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21,22). Do you see any danger?

The freedoms of our time have more or less destroyed such words as modesty, chastity, discretion, and shamefastness (Tit. 2:3-5; 1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:1-6). These words seem to have no meaning for some. They question any definitions that would restrain the exposure of the body in public. Even men who are known as able gospel preachers claim that the swim suit is modest for beach wear. If it is, to what evil was the apostle referring in these passages? If people who wear clothes such as the swim suit are modest, chaste, discreet and given to the shamefastness, I do not know of any warnings needed for these things. Does the ungodly world set the standard (Jer. 6: 15)?

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 3, p. 81
February 2, 1984

By Frank Jamerson

One of the major problems through the years among brethren has been the accumulation and use of money. The major reason for the trouble has been the failure to distinguish between individual and congregational activity.

When churches have bazaars, operate businesses and rent property to make money, they are doing what individuals are authorized to do, but the church is not authorized to raise funds in these ways. Individuals are to “work with their own hands” in order to have resources to support themselves and to help others (Eph. 4:28). The same writer said that if a man will not work, “neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3: 10). An individual may farm, operate a business or work for someone else, own rental property, etc., but churches that engage in such methods of raising money are acting without authority from God.

A local church is to raise money by the giving of members on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1, 2). God has revealed no other day or way for churches to raise money. When brethren recognize the distinction between individual and congregational activity, they will not contend that the church can do what the individual can do. Those who do not understand this distinction will have churches involved in all kinds of business enterprises to earn money.

Another problem area is the use of money. The Bible clearly teaches that there is a difference between what belongs to the individual and what belongs to the church. The property of Ananias and Sapphira did not belong to the church, and the money gained from its sale did not belong to the church (Acts 5:1-6). God killed them because they lied about how much of it they were giving. They wanted people to think they had given it all when they had not. God knew that what they kept was under their control and did not belong to the church!

Other passages clearly indicate that individuals have responsibilities that the church does not have. A Christian is to “relieve” his widow, “that the church be not charged” (I Tim. 5:16). Individuals are authorized to provide recreation (1 Tim. 4:8), participate in business (Eph. 4:28), engage in social activities (such as PTA, Red Cross, Scouting, etc.) (Lk. 10:30-37; 1 Cor. 5:9-11), support political activities (Rom. 13), and fulfill domestic obligations (Eph. 6:14), but this does not authorize churches to participate in, or to support, such activities.

Churches are limited to those things that God authorized congregations to do, which basically may be summarized in “teaching” (1 Thess. 1:8; Heb. 10:24,25), and “relieving” (Acts 2:44,45; 4:32-35; 6:1-6; 11:27-30; 1 Tim 5:16). When a church provides for recreation, entertainment, social meals, political rallies, secular education, etc., it is engaged in projects that are authorized for individuals but not for churches!

A third problem area is in saving money. There are too many brethren who feel that the church may do what the individual may do in saving money.

I know of no one who would contend that an individual may not invest his money in property, savings certificates, etc., for the purpose of earning a profit. In fact the one talent man was condemned for not putting his money to proper use and gaining “interest” (Matt. 25:26,27). There are brethren who are opposed to churches spending their money like individuals do, but they have not seen that churches that save money are making the same mistake!

I am not saying that a church may not save money for a particular need. Corinth gathered for at least a year to send to Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:10,11; 9:1,2). This is not the same as a church going into the “saving business” to get gain.

It certainly would not be using good common sense to spend every dollar collected within the week, but churches that have big bank accounts while the world dies in sin and preachers beg for support, need to realize that churches are not to run their business like individuals run theirs. Brethren if it is wrong for churches to spend their money like individuals do, it is also wrong for them to save it like individuals do! “Saving for a rainy day” (the roof that may start leaking or the central heating and air-conditioning system that “may” break down, etc.) may be simply an excuse for brethren who want to save instead of use the Lord’s money!

The Lord’s treasury must be raised as God authorized and it must be used as He taught. We are not at liberty to use it for “any good work that the individual may do,” neither are we at liberty to save/ invest it like individuals do. Let us contend for God’s way in every respect.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 3, p. 80
February 2, 1984

By Earl E. Robertson

The idea of “once saved, always saved” is nowhere taught in the Scriptures. Yet, this is one of the doctrines taught by many churches today. Many manuals contain this article of perseverance (see The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches, Edward T. Hiscox, p. 67).

Jesus told Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). 1 believe this statement is most emphatic! There are no exceptions to Jesus’ statement. No man can enter the kingdom except he is born again. I did not say this, it is so stated by Jesus Himself. Yet, the same Lord also said, “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 13:41, 42). Having already observed that only those “born again” enter the kingdom, and now the record says that some will be “gathered out of his kingdom,” leads one to conclude that some born again people will be lost in “fire.” This is exactly what Jesus says. Look at it again; only the born again enter the kingdom; yet, some shall be taken out and burned. If the “furnace of fire” herein affirmed is not heaven then it is torment, and being torment it will contain some “gathered out” of Christ’s kingdom. Born again people, having committed iniquity, are gathered out and cast into the fire. Believe it or not, this is what the Master says, my friend. This doesn’t sound like “once saved, always saved” to me. If born again people are saved it is saying that some, having been saved, will finally burn in fire for having lived iniquitously.

Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8: 1). First, one must be in Christ; second, one must not walk after the flesh to enjoy salvation and no condemnation; third, he must walk (live) after the Spirit. Now, the question is: what shall be the results if this one refuses to walk after the Spirit and walks after the flesh? The same results cannot be. “No condemnation” is predicated upon the fact that one walk after the Spirit and not the flesh. If one walks after the flesh, he reaps corruption (Gal. 6:8).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 3, p. 79
February 2, 1984