Truth Magazine

By Dorval L. McClister

Elders Planning The Work

As elders are overseers of the local church, this involves the responsibility of elders to plan the work that is needed. Generally, if nothing is planned, nothing is accomplished. In order to plan the work to be done, the elders need to meet regularly. Get together once each month for an hour or two to review past records and to plan and discuss the work. Discuss the spiritual needs of the members as those who have the responsibility to feed the flock of God. Plan for the fulfilling of these needs. If there is a subject that needs to be taught from the pulpit, ask the preacher to speak on the topic. He will be happy to prepare one or more sermons on the subject. In planning a gospel meeting there may be several subjects which need to be discussed on particular subjects. You can choose different speakers and assign them topics which will fulfill the need for knowledge on those subjects.

Plan the involvement of young Christian men in the services. Plan training classes for song leaders, teachers, and how to study, prepare, and deliver a lesson from the pulpit. Set aside a certain Wednesday evening or Sunday evening each month for younger men to speak or lead singing. Gradually increase their participation until they reach the point of taking a regular place in the worship service. This is according to the instructions of Paul to Timothy (2 Tim. 2:2).

Know The Sheep

One great mistake of elders is to unconsciously drift into a state of isolation from the members of the church. All sorts of problems arise when there is no open, free communication between the elders and the members. There are various ways in which to avoid this problem, a problem caused by the elders.

Members of the church have the right to know how the money is spent, to whom, how much, and why. They have the right to know who is going to conduct the meeting and to know the plan for the work. Elders have the responsibility to visit weak members and offer encouragement. This ought to be planned and a day (or evening) each week set aside for this purpose. When the elders meet once each month they should invite anyone who has a problem or a question to speak with them or to come to the place where the meeting is held. Encourage the members to discuss any matter and make yourselves available for the time and place to meet with them. Have one of the elders occasionally stand before the church (at beginning or ending of service) and give a report of the work, finances, or any other matter which concerns all the members. Meet often with the deacons and discuss every aspect of the work. Encourage them in their work, ask for their advice, and share with them.

Feeding The Flock Of God

Feeding the flock simply means that the elders have the responsibility to provide the milk and the meat of the word to every member of the church. An elder must be apt to teach, and if one wants to find an elder on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, the best place to look for him should be in one of the classrooms. It is understood that the elders probably cannot do all the teaching, and it is right for elders to assign competent teachers for the classes. However, there are too many elders who elect to sit back and assign someone else to teach the class. It is excusable for an elder to request a break occasionally from the toilsome task of teaching a class, but there is no excuse when an elder of the church avoids and refuses this responsibility.

Know What Is Being Taught

Know the teachers of the classes and know the material that is being taught. Know what is taught through the tracts in the vestibule. When new tracts or new literature is received, get together and go through the material, reading it carefully. Know what is taught from the pulpit. As elders you have this responsibility.

Be Leaders. . . Not Drivers

Shepherds always go before and lead the sheep to green pastures. Most anyone can drive goats, but it takes an experienced shepherd to lead sheep. Elders are the pastors (Eph. 4:11), or shepherds, and the elders must be leaders. Don’t take a back seat in this responsibility. Be a good example of leadership to the flock (1 Peter 5:3). If work needs to be done, be the first to stand up and do it. If sorrow and heartache comes to another, be first to weep with those that weep. If a brother or sister is taken to the hospital, be the first to knock on their door. If a brother or sister becomes weak, be the first to offer strength. If a sheep falls among the wolves, be the first to go out and search for the lost sheep. Be the first to assist the needy and to comfort the sorrowing. Be examples in godly living and honesty. Lead the lambs to the Chief Shepherd.

Have Patience!

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 8, p. 242
April 21, 1983

By Keith Ward

Dale Carnegie was not a gospel preacher. Dale Carnegie promotes the very “persuasive words of wisdom” that Paul disdained. Dale Carnegie’s purpose is to teach one to effectively package and sell himself and/or a product. The gospel is not a product but a way of life. Dale Carnegie’s methods are the age-old techniques taught by the sophist rhetoricians of Paul’s day and rejected by Paul as improper tools for grounding men’s faith in God.

The Results

One problem with churches today is members who have been “Dale Carnegied” into the church or to some preacher. These members steadily influence the church into becoming a social club which gives offense to none.

The gospel is power, and conversion is violent – born anew, crucified, put to death, transformed. Many will be offended and turned away by the sword that circumcises the hearts of some. When a preacher or church stops offending, he has ceased to follow the Master who came “not to send peace but a sword,” and often offended men. In fact, when the disciples told Jesus that the Pharisees were offended, instead of apologizing or smoothing ruffled feathers, Jesus called them blind guides (Mt. 15:12). Lest we deceive ourselves into thinking that Jesus used some divine insight which we cannot exercise and, consequently, have no right to imitate Him in this, let us note that this is the very content that led Jesus to teach that evil comes from the heart (Mt. 15:19). Or perhaps the parallel thought of Matthew 7:18, 20 is clearer, “By their fruits ye shall know them,” and “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit.” People “won and influenced” into the church have not even seen the cross much less taken it up, and they will be the death of the church.

All that brother Whiteside said against preachers who are “good mixers” applies to the current desire for preachers who will sell and smile “prospects” into the baptistry then “follow-up” the sale by flattering them into attendance (see Doctrinal Discourses, “Anvil Sparks”).

God save us, many such “clients” (a prospect who has been sold is a client) have reached leadership positions in the churches. That they have is in itself a comment on preachers and members who would rather avoid offending others than to demand adherence to the qualifications. Business acumen and social position often count more than piety when these are selected. I will not dignify them with the title of elder or deacon, nor demean the name Christian by applying it to these unconverted men. Truly, “the night is far spent” and it is time for soldiers of Christ to “put on the armor of light.”

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 8, p. 241
April 21, 1983

By James Bond

Often times we are told that the Bible cannot be understood alike. Many excuse religious division on the premises that the Bible cannot be understood. I am a firm believer that, if it is understood at all, it will be understood alike. Christians in the first century understood God’s word. They were united in name, organization, worship, doctrine, faith, and practice (Acts 2:42). The apostle Paul commanded, “Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no division among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement” (1 Cor. 1:10). Again Paul said, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). Biblical history attests the fact that man has never had a problem understanding God’s word. Adam and Eve understood what God had said (Gen. 3:1-3). Naaman understood the command to “dip seven times in the Jordan River” (2 Kings 5:10-12). God’s command is just as easy and simple to understand today as it was then.

People Are Divided Over What The Bible Does Not Say

All agree that singing is authorized and it is right to sing in our worship service (Eph. 5:29; Heb. 2:12; Col. 3:16). But division exists today over the using of instrumental music in worship. The Bible does not say anything about using instrumental music in New Testament worship. There is not a single command or example that authorizes the practice. The apostles set the order of the first century churches and they never used instrumental music. If God had commanded them to use it, they would have obeyed Him. Since they did not use instrumental music, it is evident that God did not authorize it. We are divided over something the Bible says nothing about! The controversy would immediately end if everyone would accept only what the Bible teaches.

When we come to the subject of baptism, all agree that it is scriptural to baptize penitent believers. But we disagree on infant baptism and sprinkling. Why? There is not one case of infant baptism in the word of God, nor is there one case of someone being sprinkled and calling it baptism. Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19). You cannot baptize a person until you first teach that person and infants cannot be taught the word of God. What is boils down to is that division exists over something the Bible says nothing about! If all would accept only what the Bible says concerning baptism, unity would prevail.

All agree that the Lord’s church can scripturally engage in the following works: preaching the gospel, providing for poor saints, edification (1 Thess. 1:8; Acts 4:34-35; 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 5:16; Eph. 4:11-16). The division exists in the Lord’s church today, not over what the Bible teaches, but over things not even mentioned in the word of God – namely, church sponsored recreation and entertainment, churches engaging in secular business, and sponsoring church type of cooperation. There are no Scriptures that authorizes the church to engage in such things. We agree on what the Bible teaches, but we disagree and, consequently, are divided over things that are not taught in the word of God. Where in the Bible can one read about the Lord’s church sponsoring entertainment, recreation, engaging in secular business, etc.?

We can understand what the Bible says if we study it carefully with an open mind and a readiness to obey. We must learn to respect God’s silence. We must also be willing to be guided by what the Bible says and not by what it does not say (Deut. 29:29). The Bible will judge us in the last day (Jn. 12:48).

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 8, p. 240
April 21, 1983

By Jady W. Copeland

If the Bible does not contradict itself (and I believe it doesn’t), then two passages need harmonizing, for in James 2:24 we find we are justified by works and in Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul says we are not saved by works. On the surface these would seem to conflict one to the other but it is not necessarily so. In the first place, neither says we are saved by one of these only. Interestingly enough, one says we are not saved by faith only, the very thing that many say we are saved by. Seems that James and the religious world are in conflict. Could it not be that both faith and works play a part in salvation? I had faith and works both in evidence this morning when I came to my office. I had faith in God that I had the health and strength to make it, but it took work (not much but a little). Had I had no faith in God, and some other related things, I would not have begun. In this article, we want to concentrate on whether or not we are saved by works.

Not Saved By Works

We are obviously not saved by some kinds of works the Bible mentions. For example, there are the works of Satan. Are we saved by those? (Read 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10.) We can break down the works of Satan into several groupings.

The works of the flesh. Paul says in Galatians 5:19 that there are works of flesh. Those who do such shall not enter heaven. Not saved by those works are we? Now these are the doings (desires) of Satan as opposed to Christ (see verse 22). These works are in obedience to Satan, not to Christ. Let us keep this rule in mind. We are the servants of the one we obey (Rom. 6:16). Therefore if we obey Satan, we are his children. This is in opposition to God.

The works of men. I believe we can also put man’s works in this catalogue too as some follow their own works instead of the works of God. When I substitute my will for the will of God, I have renounced His authority for mine. When I do my own biddings, then I fail to follow Him. Isaiah says that such is as “filthy rags” and that doesn’t sound like faithful obedience to God (Isa. 64:6). Remember Paul says we are the servant of the one we obey (Rom. 6:16). Obey yourself and you cannot be the servant of God. Salvation does not come through our own wisdom (1 Cor. 1:18-25). If I obey self, I am not serving God.

Works of which one may boast. Here is another work by which we cannot be saved. Is there any “boasting” when I obey God? Is there any “glorying” when I do that which God authorizes? We can take pleasure in the hope He gives us, but there is no room for boasting, for it is His works, His commands, His will that we are observing (read Rom. 4:1-4). Here Paul uses Abraham as an example of this principle. As carefully as he obeyed God, there was no room for boasting (merit) on Abraham’s part. Why? Because he only did what God said. He did nothing of his own will. But Paul calls that faith. But isn’t it interesting that James uses the same man and the same passage (Gen. 15:1-6) to prove that justification comes by works? Now that should tell us something. More about that later. Do you suppose Abraham would be called the father of the faithful if his faith had not led him to obey God?

Now let us look at Ephesians 2:1-10, a passage often used to disprove the necessity of obedience to Christ. God’s mercy is the subject here (v. 4). Man was dead in sin, and the mercy and loving kindness of God is manifested that man might have a remedy for sin. God (in view of His nature) simply could not stand by and let man be lost in sin without a way of salvation. So from the depths of His love, He sent the Christ to save man so (“by grace have ye been saved”). Grace or mercy was God’s part and faith (v. 8) is man’s part in salvation. The whole of God’s plan to redeem man is expressed in one word – grace. The whole of man’s part in redemption is expressed in one word faith. Details in either case are here given. But with regard to the plan and person (Christ) of our redemption, it is “not of work” on the part of man; it was totally God’s plan. And as Paul says in Romans 5:1-2 it is accepted by faith as the means into God’s loving kindness. We are not saved by works of which we can boast.

We are not saved by the works of the law of Moses. As has been pointed out many times in recent months in the Guardian of Truth we are not saved by perfect law keeping (whether you speak of the law of Moses or any other law). While we do not intend to spend much space here on this point as it needs more space to justify it, suffice it to say that Moses’ law has been done away (Eph. 2:14-15; Gal. 5:1-4; 2 Cor. 3:1-11). Justification comes in two ways: (1) Perfect obedience of faith. (2) Salvation through Christ. Unless you have never sinned, you will have to be saved by the blood of Christ. I know of no other way.

So, if we are not saved by (1) works of Satan, (2) the works of man (merit) or, (3) the works of the law, are we saved by works? Surely James 2:24 has to mean something when he says, “Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith”.

The Works Of God

Perhaps we can get a thought from the words of Christ. Look at John 6:28-29. “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?” This is the same as saying “do the works” of God. What are the works of God? “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he bath sent.” Our work is to believe on Christ. Now the question is, “Does that require obedience or works in any way?” We can get an idea of that when we look at what Jesus did in doing the works of His Father. In verse 38 of this same chapter Jesus said, “For I am come down from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me”. Jesus obeyed His Father. What He did He did at His Father’s will; He was obedient to His Father. He brings out this point in John 7:14-18. He came to speak God’s words. He came to do the Father’s will. “If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.” Furthermore in verse 18 He said, “He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” Likewise when we do the will of God instead of our own will, we have the approval of God for we are demonstrating faith in Him (as we obey) and not faith in self.

But if it is the work of God to have faith in Christ, does not this mean that faith is all that is essential to salvation? Yes and no. It all depends on the kind of faith. James 2:14-26 talks of more than one kind. One is a dead faith and the question needs no answer which says, “Will this faith save?” If so, the demons will be saved for they had faith (v. 19). The saving faith is the kind that Abraham had. He gives Abraham as the example of the kind he is talking of, and as noted it is the same man, and the same passage that Paul uses to show one is justified by faith. James uses him to prove one must do something. He says, “You see then that by works a man is justified and not by faith only.” What kind of works? It is the same kind that Jesus did (that is doing the will of His father). He cannot be saved who obeys Moses’ law, or the law of his own choosing, or the will of Satan. But did not Abraham do the will of God? He did not do works of which he could boast or glory for they were not of his choosing. Always Abraham’s works were the works of God. Then and only then was faith put to his account for righteousness. As James says, “Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.” So there must be an imperfect faith (faith without works) if there is a perfect faith (faith coupled with works).

When one is baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27) is this the work of man, or of Satan, or of the law of Moses? Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). I take it then that if one does what Jesus said, it is not his own (man’s) works but the works (obedience) of the Lord. When Abraham was about to kill Isaac God stopped him and said, “for now I know that thou fearest God. . .” (Gen. 22:12). When one obeys today (God’s works) then God knows of your faith. Like love, faith can only be known by the action it prompts. Think on these things, the Bible is right.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 8, pp. 238-239
April 21, 1983