Truth Magazine

By Don Martin

Our world has seen and produced many great men! When many think of greatness they think of such men as Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver who have contributed so much to our life styles and quality of life. Some think of men like Louis Pasteur who have made great medical contributions which have benefitted all of us. Some automatically equate greatness with political power and, thus, think of political giants such as our presidents. Others associate riches with greatness and the wealthy of the world come to their mind. I have always been amazed at the greatness of the intellectuals of the world of science such as Euclid and Archimedes (mathematical and logic achievements), Leonardo da Vinci, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Galen for the genius they possessed.

Concerning greatness, most all of us have a desire (either expressed or suppressed) to be great. Doctor Sigmund Freud, considered one of the most distinguished psychologists of the twentieth century, informs us that everything man does springs from two motives: (1) biological drives and (2) the desire to be great. One highly recognized philosopher, Mr. John Dewey, has said that the deepest urge in man is the desire to be important. Now, we perhaps could scripturally and psychologically question and qualify the position reflected by Freud and Dewey; however, the fact remains there is within most men a desire to be somebody – to be important. The desire to be “great” and “important” can be sinful and eventuate in total spiritual destruction (cf. Matt. 6:1,2). On the other hand, the desire can be healthy (cf. Matt. 11: 11). Let’s now proceed to take this “innate” desire of man to be great and motivationally use it. First, however, we must ask and endeavor to answer what is true greatness and who is a great person?

Great Because Of Father. As a young man in the competitive secular world I learned early in life that your ancestry is of significance if you secularly achieve greatness. Concerned reader, this is also true spiritually. In the physical sense, many have inherited greatness. This ancestry importance – regardless of how great it is – is only temporary and unable to truly and lastingly benefit and profit man (cf. Matt. 6:19,20). Materialism and human acclaim are utterly unable to satisfy man’s deepest needs such as true peace of mind (cf. Col. 3:15; Phil. 4:7).

Beloved, the Christian has as his father the all powerful God of heaven. How wonderful it is that the God who created and sustains all things has said I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:17,18). In the words of the song “The Child of a King,” “My Father is rich in houses and lands, He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands! Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, His coffers are full – He has riches untold. I’m the child of a King, the child of King! With Jesus, my Savior, I’m a child of a King.”

Great Because Of Work Performed. In classes and courses pertaining to human relations it is often taught that to evaluate an individual to whom you are being introduced and to determine his abilities one of the first questions you ask is regarding the kind of work the person does. The doctor or lawyer, according to this standard, would make a greater impression that a janitor or street cleaner. In our investigation of the truly great person, what kind of work does the Christian perform? To the Christians at Philippi Paul penned: “Holding forth the word of life . . .” (Phil. 2:16). Luke wrote of the Jerusalem Christians, “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Thus, the Christian is involved in performing the greatest work on earth – winning souls to Christ.

Great Because Of Influence. Many associate greatness and define importance as it pertains to influence. In this sense, the man that exerts great influence would be a great person. “Ye are the light of the world,” Jesus teaches His followers, “a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid . . .” (Matt. 5:14). It we measure greatness by influence, the Christian is a great person.

Great Because Of Name. Names are important. Our name often, at least initially, suggests to others certain personality traits. What would be your first impression of a girl named “Tom” or a boy named “Judas”? I once knew a man who did not like the name assigned him by his mother. He felt his name did not do him justice; so he had his first name changed to Johnny to correspond with his personality and to effect a different initial impression on others whom he met. Beloved, consider the apostle Peter’s statement, “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God” (1 Pet. 4:16, NASV). The name “Christian” involves ownership (belongs to Christ) and adherence (follows Christ – the greatest man to have ever walked this earth).

Great Because of Answered Prayer. I once knew a man who could ask anything of his wealthy father and his father would give it to him. When I was a young man, I wanted a 1957 Chevrolet. I never had one because I did not have a father with the ability to buy one for me. This boy, however, approached his father with his desire to own such a car and the father immediately gave the son a new 1957 Chevrolet (it was a red convertible!)

Friend, I am not attempting to compare the Christian’s heavenly Father with the young man’s father but have you seriously (not selfishly) thought about prayer? While God has not promised His children a red 1957 Chevrolet convertible, ponder the language of John, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight” (1 Jn. 3:22). Our Father stands ready to grant us requests which are according to His will (1 Jn. 5:14; Matt. 7:7-12).

What is greatness? Greatness is having a powerful, influential father; performing great work; exerting great influence; wearing a great name; and having a concerned, loving father to grant you what you really need. Kind reader, the Christian, then, is indeed a great person. Are you a great person? Are you a Christian?

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, pp. 54-55
January 19, 1984

By Dennis C. Abernathy

I certainly do not profess to be a scholar when it comes to the subject of the Holy spirit. But there seems to be much discussion and writing on various aspects of the Holy Spirit and His work, of late. We see thoughts presented on the “gift” of the Spirit and the “indwelling” of the Spirit, in particular. It occurs to this writer, that many who address themselves to this subject fail to grasp one major point, which failure, leads them off on many of their arguments. That point being mainly this: “A failure to realize the time frame within which most passages in the New Testament concerning the Holy Spirit was written. That being a time when there was no completed written revelation.” The results of this failure is, it seems to me, to apply all the passages that had a miraculous application to an ordinary (non-miraculous) application today.

Foy Wallace, Jr. said in his commentary on Revelation: “The historians use the word anarchronism – meaning an error in the order of time. Taking an event out of the period to which it belongs and assigning it to a wrong period of time in an anachronism.” Of course, he had reference to the book of Revelation. But in thinking and studying the subject of the Holy Spirit (specifically the “gift” and the “indwelling”), it occurred to me that we may be guilty of the same thing when it comes to these subjects.

For instance, the “gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:38. We feel that because the “gift” is connected to repentance, baptism, and remission of sins, that if one receives re . mission of sins, he of necessity must receive the “gift.” On the other hand, we know this “gift” is not miraculous; hence, we refer to it as the “ordinary gift of the Spirit.” Now your bible may read that way, but I have trouble with that phraseology. What then is the gift of the Holy spirit? Well, there have been a lot of answers given, which shows the question is not so easily answered.

I believe the “gift of the Spirit” in Acts 2:38 is miraculous and had its application in the age of miracles. I don’t believe that everyone who is baptized, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. I believe this passage to be like Mark 16:16-17. There the Lord said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved . . . . and these signs shall follow them that believe.” It seems to me that the “gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:38 is the equivalent of “these signs shall follow them that believe” in Mark 16. Now I suppose there are all kinds of objections to this view, but I believe it harmonizes.

We have the completed, perfect, all-sufficient Word of God today in written form. Everything the Holy Spirit did before mankind had this written revelation, in a direct, miraculous way, is accomplished now through this medium. If this is not the case brethren, then the Word of God is not all-sufficient. I know I will be accused of believing in the “Word only” and “leaving the Holy Spirit out altogether,” but such does not prove the case. If God can work through nature, His natural laws, without doing it miraculously, why can the Spirit not work through the Word without doing so miraculously? The truth is, then when we take the position that The spirit literally indwells, which is the “gift” in Acts 2:38, the inevitable, conclusion will be a direct working on the part of the Holy Spirit, even though most will deny that conclusion.

Well, this is enough. I would like to see some articles written on this subject. I certainly could be wrong on this, and if so stand to be corrected, but as of now, these are my observations.

Guardian of Truth XXIII: 2, p. 53
January 19, 1984

By Daniell H. King

Nestled among the world’s millions, barely noticeable among the world’s governments, there exists a kingdom which transcends their great numbers and the mighty power of their armies. It wields little sway in the arena of international politics, and there is not much to be said for its impact upon the economies of the nations. Its organization is so simple as to be unimpressive. A few short pages could tell of the fashion of it and do so without much clever rhetoric or ornate technical jargon. Those who comprise its membership have never outnumbered those outside its ranks. And, by and large, they are humble folks, devoid of the signs of wealth and extravagance. They wear no uniform that sets them off in contrast to their neighbors, except that their lives are rich in kind deeds and love for their fellow men, and they eschew many things indulged in by their friends.

They have no fancy name for themselves, except that they do take pride in being called after their Master’s name. Even in this, though, they give place to His simple parting wish by taking no other designation than the one worn by His earliest disciples some two millennia ago. By saying they are “Christians” they only declare to all that they follow Jesus Christ – and nothing more or less.

To them worship is viewed as an important part of life in the spiritual kingdom to which they have pledged allegiance. Emphasis is not placed upon the location of the site of their worship activities, nor upon the expense involved in the obtaining of such, nor even upon the furnishings or trappings of the place. In most cases these are surprisingly simple and sometimes a bit lackluster. But they are usually as commodious as necessity will prevail upon them to be.

The visitor who comes among them only to watch them worship will be deeply disappointed at what he sees and hears. This is so because nothing that they say or do in worship is meant to please the eye and ear of man. It is rather directed at the heart of God and is meant to put the human heart in tune with the Divine. Another thing may disappoint the uninitiated hearer: he will find nothing that is not very ancient in their services. Nothing is there which is totally new, nothing which smacks of the contemporary or that is .fleeting. They sing songs and commemorate their Lord’s death and His rising again to life as did men two thousand years before. And yet, it never grows so old as to make them weary of it. The same emotions well up in them as did in the first disciple who handed the bread and cup to one another in simple sharing in their Lord’s matchless life and sacrificial death.

What they believe is likewise a matter requiring no complex system for either its explanation or its application. They believe and practice everything taught and commanded by Christ and His apostles in the New Testament. That which Christ and His apostles left unrevealed and uncommanded, they in turn leave off from believing and practicing. They make no laws for others or for themselves. The thoughts and words of others who have gone before are respected for the wisdom they may contain. But they are never raised to the status of law. Even among the ranks of those who describe themselves as believers and call themselves Christians, people of such dedication to divine principle are a rarity.

Who are these people? They are Christians, not Christians in name and by designation alone, but Christians after the primitive order. In every respect it is our prayer and our purpose to fit this description. If we do, a “church of Christ” exists truly in every community wherein we keep house for the Lord. Of this, we may be certain.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, pp. 51-52
January 19, 1984

By Ramon A. Madrigal

The Book of Acts is a book of conversions. It contains that which the Lord wants us to know about that vital subject. Just before He left His disciples to return to His Father, Jesus gave what is called the “Great Commission” (Matt. 28), and every case of conversion in the Acts of the Apostles was accomplished according to the terms of that commission. While it can be clearly demonstrated that each example of conversion followed th is, pattern, the case of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) is the most lucid and celebrated. It is the purpose of this study to discern what was necessary for this man to be regenerated to Christ. Let us notice:

An Open Book

In verse 28 of the narrative Luke informs us that this highly religious individual was reading a portion of Isaiah the prophet. Notice that before any valuable religious discussion can occur, there must be an open book, namely the Bible. Many people often engage in futile religious debate because their Bibles are not open. The eunuch had his scroll open, and although he did not understand the Suffering Servant passage completely, he knew that it was the veritable Word of God. He rightly perceived that “all scripture is inspired of God” (2 Tim. 3:16), and that if he would be free he must seek the Truth there.

An Open Mind

Although this man did have, in fact, and open Book at his disposal, he needed desperately to understand its contents. When Philip the evangelist asked him if he understood what he was reading he admitted that he did not know (vv. 30-3 1). How hard it is for some to admit ignorance or error. But this was the very grave matter of eternal salvation, and the eunuch had no time for vanity or pride. He quickly invited Philip to teach him more about Jesus. This Ethiopian was open and receptive to Truth and thus anticipated the noble tradition of the Bereans (see Acts 17:11). While it is sad that so many Bibles merely collect dust and flower petals, it is equally pathetic for people to open their Bibles and close their minds. This is unfortunate, yet quite common. The eunuch, however, was hungry and thirsty for righteousness (cf. Matt. 5:6). Jesus promised that if we only “ask” it will be “given”; if we would but “seek” we will “find”; if we simply “knock” it will be “opened” for us. The eunuch was seeking. Surely he would find!

An Open Mouth

In verse 35 we notice that Philip “opened his mouth and . . . preached Jesus.” This is yet another important element in the process of conversion, the preaching of the Gospel. While it is certainly possible for anyone with an open Bible and an open mind to discern truth, a teacher definitely helps. The Apostle Paul had this in mind when he queried, “How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10: 11- 14). Yes, there is a great need for zealous preaching and teaching of the Word. Brethren, are we preaching “in season and out of season”? Are we sending and being sent? Philip was sent and being spent.

Another Open Mouth

“As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized? And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”(1) Notice that it wasn’t only Philip who opened his mouth on this occasion. The Ethiopian also spoke. He made the good confession concerning the deity of Jesus. Christ both warned and promised that “Whoever confesses me before men, I will confess him before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32). When Jesus questioned His early disciples about His identity, Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” (see also Jn. 11:27 and 20:28). Certainly we can see the need for a public(2) acknowledgment of Christ before men. This is to be done not only as a pre-baptismal “rite” but throughout the life of the Christian (cf. Heb. 3:1 in ASV, RSV, NIV). We must never be ashamed of who Jesus is (Christ) and who we are (Christians).

An Open Water

Read verses 36-38 again. Do you wonder why the eunuch made this request after Philip “preached unto him Jesus”? Obviously, Philip taught the eunuch from Ethiopia the necessity of baptism for salvation. That was part of the “Good News” (Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:16). When Peter preached on Pentecost, he. commanded his audience to “repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ unto (for, eis in Greek) the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38). In Romans 6:3-4 the Apostle Paul talks a out the symbolism of baptism. It represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. ” This is the very center of the Gospel message.

Notice also in verses 38-39 how both Philip and the eunuch ‘went down into the water, and came up out of the water.” Does that sound like sprinkling or pouring to you? Certainly not! Like all other instances of baptism in the New Testament, immersion is the course of action. Indeed, it is the only action inherent in the Greek word bapfidzo.(3)

Heaven Opened

As the narrative progresses to a close, we find a happy and triumphant eunuch. Indeed, after his encounter with the evangelist, the Ethiopian “went on his way rejoicing.” Why? Because he had obeyed the Gospel call and was saved. He Was on the way to heaven in the presence of God Himself. Notice that he became very emotional. But when did his emotions come into play? It was not before or during his salvation, but after responding to facts with reason.

Jesus did promise that whoever knocks, it would be opened unto him. Here, the noble Ethiopian was knocking. He opened the Scriptures and his mind to its teachings. Philip opened his mouth in preaching and the eunuch opened his mouth in confession and was then baptized in open water. As a citizen of the Kingdom he had open access to the throne of grace.

Have you opened your mind and your heart to this message from God’s Holy Book? Why not respond as did this man of old and you, too, can go on your way rejoicing?

Endnotes

1. Verse 37 of Acts 8 is missing in the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts of the NT. That is why most modern translations do not include this verse in the text (see ASV, RSV, NASB, and NIV). The reason that the KJV included this verse is because these reliable manuscripts were not discovered until after 1611.

2. Yet note that the eunuch made his confession before only one man.

3. see Thayer, Vine, Ardnt & Gingrich, etc.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, pp. 50-51
January 19, 1984