Truth Magazine

By S. Leonard Tyler

One should see God in all of life. Therefore, as James said, “For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that” (James 5:15). Jesus prayed, not that His will be done but His Father’s be done. He recognized the presence of His Father always. A long time ago, David declared God to be everywhere.

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee (Ps. 139:8-12).

Finally, David declared, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts … lead me in the way everlasting” (vv. 23-24). He was a man after God’s own heart. This was not because David was a perfect man. He fell far short of that. But he trusted God and returned to Him for forgiveness. He depended upon God.

Elijah manifested a strong faith at Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-46). He did this against seemingly unsurmountable odds. There were 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of the groves all standing together for Baal. Elijah stood alone for Jehovah – “if God be for you who can be against you?” Truly, God and one person of real faith make a majority in power for righteousness.

Elijah saturated his sacrifice with water, called upon God to send down the fire, and God responded with tire. Baal failed his prophets, for he was an idol. Paul said, “We know an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one” (1 Cor. 8:4). The people had been deceived and Elijah proved God to be true. He challenged and won. The people fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, he is the God.”

Elisha, another true prophet of the Lord, prayed that God would open his servant’s eyes so he could see. He did. “And, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).

We need to open our eyes by faith and see God as a real living, eternal and all-powerful being. We need to see His way and walk faithfully therein.

Faith Is A Wonderful Blessing

What are some of the blessings which result from true faith?

1. Faith will lead one to “draw nigh to God” and will enable one to see God’s nearness (James 4:8).

Is there anything that one needs more than a realization of God’s newness? Jesus promised His apostles that upon their making disciples and teething them to observe all His commandments, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). This is the fellowship that we have with the Father and His Son, Jesus (1 John 1:3-7).

2. Faith will humble one in the sight of the Lord (lames 4:10). “Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:6). Faith will also help one to cast his cares upon the Lord, “for he careth for you” (1 Per. 5:7).

3. Faith will lead one to “resist the devil” and “resist stedfast in the faith” (1 Pet. 5:9). The believer will take God’s way of escape when temptation arises (James 4:7; 1 Cor. 10:12-13).

4. Faith will close one’s mouth to evil speaking and lead one to love. This love “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth” (1 Cor. 13:4, 6).

5. Faith will lead one into an active, committed life (James 1:25; 3:17, 20, 24). He will present his body as a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Cod” (Rom. 12:1). The man of faith will not be conformed to this world but will be renewed in Christ (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17).

6. Faith will open one’s heart and mouth to the Father through Jesus (1 Tim. 2:4-6; Heb. 8:6; 12:24; 1 John 2:1-2). “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Pet. 3:12). Prayer is not an arbitrary demand but, rather, a blessed oppor-tunity afforded the Christian. I know no greater blessing afforded the child of God upon the earth than prayer. One can thank the Father, praise Him, make requests and ask forgiveness. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17).

Let us serve God by faith that we may enjoy His wisdom, power, and presence. The wonderful blessings of faith come through the obedience of faith, which is reveal-ed in the gospel of Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). Why not obey the gospel now and obtain all of its wonderful blessings?

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 14, pp. 423-424
July 21, 1983

By Dorval L. McClister

Brother Ron Howes has submitted an article in opposition to some comments I made concerning the laying on of hands in the appointment of elders. Brother Howes seems to have drawn some conclusions from Acts 6:3-6 that an appointment ceremony was all that was involved in the laying on of hands. He states, “I must conclude therefore that when the Apostles laid their hands on these men in verse 6, that it was not to impart the Spirit, because they already had it. Here the action of laying on of hands is clearly an appointing ceremony.” I have some difficulty in understanding how he reached this conclusion. First of all, to be filled with the Holy Spirit (as were these men mentioned in Acts 6:3) does not imply that they had received any miraculous gifts of the Spirit. John was filled with the Spirit (Lk. 1:15), yet John did no miracle (Jn. 10:41). Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:57). Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:41). Christians are to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Is there any biblical evidence that any of these possessed then, or possess now, any miraculous gifts of the Spirit?

The only persons I have read about in the New Testament Scriptures who could perform miraculous signs and wonders were only those upon whom the Apostles laid their hands. Acts 6:8 provides clear evidence that miraculous powers were given to Stephen. “He did wonders and miracles among the people,” implying that he had not done this before. Philip, another one of the seven chosen, is seen later in Acts (8:13) performing “miracles and signs.” From whence did these men receive the miraculous power on the Holy Spirit? At the laying on of the hands of the Apostles as stated in verse 6. Since it is evident that being filled with the Holy Spirit is not synonymous with receiving miraculous powers from the hands of the Apostles, then the seven men in Acts 6:5 did not have such miraculous gifts until after the laying on of hands of the Apostles in verse 6. I beg, humbly, to differ with brother Howes in his conclusion that Acts 6:6 is nothing more than an “appointing ceremony.”

I hope that brother Howes understands that I have no quarrel against a preacher who wishes to lay hands upon another. However, I sincerely believe we should look carefully at such passages as Acts 13:1-3 which he incorporates as “apostolic example and direct statement” for a ceremony in which elders are appointed in the church today. In fact, no ceremony is being used here to appoint or ordain elders, deacons, or preachers in the church. Everything done in these verses is done under the direct guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit through inspired men. The requirement involved “separating Saul and Barnabas” for a specific mission in evangelism. Three acts are mentioned: laying on of hands, fasting, and prayer. The laying on of hands in Acts 13:3 certified that mission as one personally designed and directed by the Holy Spirit. Does brother Howes incorporate all three of these acts, including fasting, in a ceremony in which elders are appointed in the church? The proper application of this passage is not in ordaining or appointing elders in the church, but rather to separate two inspired men to preach the gospel under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Does the church where brother Howes labors practice the laying on of hands and fasting when their preacher goes to another area to preach? If not, why not, as he states that such passages provides apostolic example and direct statement to do such. We really do not prove anything by using unrelated texts in a formal argument.

It may appear to brother Howes that I seem to struggle with the idea of appointing elders in the church. I really don’t. I should study the subject more, yes, indeed. And if he determines that some form of recognition of the elders by the congregation is simply a meaningless gesture, a mere ceremony, then I would certainly grant him the privilege of choosing another alternative. However, the laying on of hands by inspired men of the New Testament involved a direct relationship and intervention of the Holy Spirit, a relationship which I affirm does not exist today. I share the sentiments of R.L. Whiteside when he commented, “I have never taken part in the laying on of hands. I cannot see that it would do any man any good for me to lay hands on him” (Reflections, p. 463).

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 14, pp. 422-423
July 21, 1983

By Ron Howes

It is with some hesitation that I choose to reply to brother Dorval McClister’s article on the eldership dated March 17, 1983. Brother McClister and I are not acquainted, and his articles on the eldership were timely, well written, and contained much to which I may say a hearty “Amen.” It is hoped that my brother will accept my disagreement for its principle and not its personality, and should he choose to respond to the response be assured there will not be a review of the review of the review.

In his comments on the appointment of elders, brother McClister says, “I can see nothing accomplished in a symbolic gesture of laying hands upon the men selected to serve as elders.” He continues, “. . .it would seem clear that Titus did not lay his hands upon those whom he appointed as elders of the church …. It is my personal belief that the practice of laying hands upon another today would be empty of any real meaning, and is not necessary in appointing elders in the church.” Because of the usual inadequacy of quotes to properly convey the thoughts of the original article, the reader is encouraged to review the entirety of brother McClister’s statements in this regard.

As have most of us when confronted with the question of just how to set the men in office, brother McClister has struggled with the issue of the appointment ceremony. It appears that he has substituted one of his own. “While the men remain standing, I also request that the entire congregation arise to their feet in recognition of them as the elders of the church.” Dorval, is this not also a symbolic gesture?

Dorval’s hesitation at using the “laying on of hands” in his appointment ceremony, arises from his conviction that this action seems to be limited to the “direct intervention of the Holy Spirit.” Some observations are in order.

In Acts chapter 6, when the seven were appointed to serve tables, their qualifications were that they be full of the Spirit and of wisdom. Verse 5 is quite emphatic in its statement that they “chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” I must conclude, therefore, that when the Apostles laid their hands on these men in verse 6, that it was not to impart the Spirit, because they already had it. Here the action of laying on of hands is clearly an appointment ceremony.

The same action is observable in Acts 13. The participants are indicated in verse one, being the prophets, teachers, and the church in Antioch. The apostle Paul and Barnabas are then, in verse 3, the recipients of this “laying on of hands” ceremony. Paul was already filled with the Holy Spirit, being an apostle. The ceremony here is not the impartation of spiritual gifts, but the act of appointment. The Holy Spirit separated them; the local church conducted the ceremony. The same is true today; Paul states in Acts 20:28 that it is the Holy Spirit that makes men “bishops.”

Perhaps absent from the instructions to Titus, but included in Paul’s letter to Timothy, in a section specifically devoted to Timothy’s (the evangelist’s) special relationship to the eldership, Paul tells him to “lay hands hastily on no man.” The inference is quite clear that Timothy was to lay hands on men after considerable deliberation only. Thus again, the “laying on, of hands” is the appointment ceremony. It is not an empty gesture, but one through the approval of apostolic example and direct statement that we may incorporate into the meaningful appointment process today.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 14, pp. 422-423
July 21, 1983

By Dudley Ross Spears

Jesus really did establish His kingdom. He gave Peter the keys to the kingdom (Matt. 16:19) and Peter opened the doors of the kingdom on Pentecost, following Christ’s resurrection from the dead (Acts 2). The brethren, both Jews and Gentiles, were “translated” into the kingdom of God’s dear son (Col. 1:13). But the premillennialists, while denying the existence of the kingdom now, affirm that God will give it to the Jews at the second coming of Christ. But consider the words of Christ. Speaking to the Jews of His own day, He said, “Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matt. 21:43).

The premillennialists have it exactly backwards. They have a much more optimistic picture for the Jews than Jesus had. They say that Jesus will give it to the Jews – He said He would take it from them. By rejecting Christ as King, national Israel forfeited all rights to the kingdom. The millennialists say that by rejecting Christ, they also guaranteed themselves another opportunity to have the kingdom. But Jesus refutes their error in this passage.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 14, p. 421
July 21, 1983