Truth Magazine

By Earl E. Robertson

The Church Of The Lord (2)

Having been born again, born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5), one becomes a new creature in Christ. Paul said, “Put on the new man. . . ” (Eph. 4:24). The infinitive “put on” demands action! The adjective “new” is used in the nominative case and, therefore, names the kind or character of man demanded in the new creature. Only those born of water and Spirit enter the kingdom or church of the Lord. With this new relationship established with the Lord comes responsibilities. From this figure of a birth then comes growth. The growth of a Christian is dependent upon the word of God and one’s attitude toward it. Peter says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). “Thereby” shows one’s development stems from and is circumscribed by the word of God. Spiritual growth in righteousness is not, therefore, by the creeds and manuals of men, but by the living and inerrant word of the living God.

God’s word “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). A child of God might as well forget about growing to maturity in the Lord, if he neglects to study the Scriptures. Herein lies one of the sad plights in the Lord’s church today. Not many are willing to study faithfully and diligently; rather, many are satisfied to let others do the studying for them. The growing Christian is the one who delights in a constant meditation on the law of his Maker (Psa. 1:1). God’s people, Israel, were destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6); where there is no vision the people perish (Prov. 29:18). Israel was instructed, “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read” (Isa. 34:16); surely, God’s people today cannot have less expected of them! (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:13). The church is the support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15), but if His people do not know the truth, the task will not be faithfully and successfully accomplished. Without proper understanding obedience is impossible (cf. Acts 8:30, 31; Eph. 5:17). It is in this area that error is taught and supported; unrighteousness and ungodliness are tolerated and supported; churches lose their identity with the Lord and sinners stay lost.

Guardian of Truth XXVI: 6, p. 86
February 11, 1982

By Steve Wolfgang

Baptism And Salvation

In an article discussing the definition of baptism, which appeared in this journal some time ago, we noted that “many who would leave baptism so undefined also deny the necessity of the act for salvation.” Such individuals ignore or pervert passages such as 1 Peter 3:21 (“the like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us”) or Mark 16:16 (“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”). We recently heard an illustration of such an effort on a television program regularly featuring Jerry Falwell (of “Moral Majority” fame). A guest speaker on that program made the following argument. “It is true,” said he, “that one should be baptized, but it is not absolutely necessary, because in the phrase ‘He that gets on a plane and is seated shall arrive at his destination’ everyone recognizes that getting on the plane is essential to reaching the destination, but sitting down is not; one will get to the destination whether he sits or not, as long as he gets on the plane. Now, any fool knows you ought to sit down, but it is not necessary” (chuckles from audience).

Those familiar with the past controversy on the role of baptism will recognize this as nothing more than a warmed-over re-hash (though modernized somewhat/ of an “argument” made popular by the Baptist debater Ben Bogard.(1) Bogard was an Arkansan who was perhaps as well-known a half-century ago as Jerry Falwell is today. He used an earlier version (involving a train) to construct the following “parallel:”

He that believeth and is baptized shall he saved

He that gets on the train and sits down shall go to Little Rock

Bogard argued that while there are advantages to sitting down once one is on the train, one will still arrive at the destination whether he sits or not; likewise, while one should be baptized, it is not absolutely necessary since he is saved by faith only regardless of what else he may do.

If one were to dignify such an argument by replying on a serious level, one could simply point out that an analogy (even a good one, which this one is not) does not prove a proposition; it merely illustrates (and then only if valid). If you have no doubts about the validity of this analogy, try that line on the stewardess the next time you fly and see where it gets you.

However, the best answer may be the one used by W. Curtis Porter, a gospel preacher, to reply to Bogard’s illustration. If one diagrams what Bogard, Falwell, and many other denominationalists actually teach (“He that believeth is saved and can be baptized if he chooses”), and parallel that with the inane plane or train illustration, it comes out like this: “He that gets on the train is in Little Rock already and doesn’t need to sit down!”(2)

We conclude this article simply by pointing out that from the very first preaching of the gospel of Christ on the day of Pentecost, people who inquired as to what to do to be saved were told, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins.” When one studies the history of the early church and the letters written to those churches by Christ’s apostles, one learns that this was a universal requirement for salvation and for inclusion in the body of the saved, the church. We are simply trying to teach the same thing today. Have you obeyed this fundamental command?

Endnotes

1. Bogard made this argument in some of his later debates (for instance, with N.B. Hardeman in 1938 at Little Rock, pp. 136-7, 156; with Eugene Smith in 1942 at Dallas, Texas, p. 150; and with W. Curtis Porter in 1948 at Damascus, Arkansas, pp. 311-312!. Often, as in the Smith and Hardemen debates, Bogard would save the argument for late in the debate, even introducing it in the last negative speech of the Smith debate, where no reply was possible at the time. In his earlier debates, as with Joe Warlick !a written debate published serially in the Gospel Advocate in 1914!, he argued instead that Mark 16:16 is a spurious passage (pp. 43, 52f., 62f). However, in other debates with denominationalists such as LN. Penick and Aimee Semple McPherson, he freely used Mark 16 as an authoritative passage. This vacillation lead N.B. Hardeman to characterize Bogard’s views on the subject as “off again, on again, gone again, Flanagan” (Hardeman-Board Debate, pp. 146-147).

It is interesting to read Bogard’s account of his encounters with Hardeman, Smith, Porter, Warlick, C.R. Nichol, and other gospel preachers whom he debated, in his biography, The Life and Works of Benjamin Marcus Bogard, by L.D. Forman and Alta Payne (Little Rock, Arkansas: Seminary Press, 1966, 3 volumes). Volume II, pp. 17-135 contain his reminiscences of debates with many of those he styled “Campbellites.”

2. Porter also pointed out that Bogard’s own “parallel” makes even faith non-essential, since he paralleled it with “getting on the train.” Bogard simply reminded him that one does not have to get on a train to go to Little Rock; there are many ways by which one may travel – foot, horseback, wagon, or, to use our modern Baptist’s version, airplane. Thus, even if the “analogy” were valid for the elimination of baptism, it would also eliminate the necessity of faith in order to be saved (Porter-Board Debate, pp. 327-328).

Porter used the same line of reasoning to refute the train argument made by Glenn V. Tingley of the Christian-Missionary Alliance at Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947 (pp. 106, 120-21).

Guardian of Truth XXVI: 6, p. 85
February 11, 1982

By Mike Willis

The strength of a paper such as Guardian of Truth depends solely upon the quality of written material which appears in its pages. Guardian of Truth will be useful to the Lord and His people only so long as its pages contain articles which are true to the Book. The articles which are true to the Book must be written in such a style that they are readable and easily comprehended by the common man. Articles which are so scholarly that they bore the common man will not be read; articles which are so ambiguous that one cannot recognize the sin which is being condemned or the righteousness which is being commended are worthless. Consequently, writers are needed who present the truth of God’s word in an understandable, readable, and unambiguous manner.

For 25 years our editors have constantly tried to see that our staff of writers is composed of such writers. However, as the years have passed, many of the stalwart defenders of God’s truth have ceased to write for us. Connie Adams left our staff to become editor of Searching The Scriptures. James P. Needham left our staff to edit Torch. Roy E. Cogdill’s health problems have prohibited his production of new articles for publication. James W. Adams left our staff to edit the Gospel Guardian and has not had time to do journalistic writing since the merger of the Gospel Guardian with Truth Magazine. A paper cannot lose men of this caliber without being hurt by their absence.

The staff which has been left for Guardian of Truth has been somewhat weighted toward the younger age group of preachers. This is not an embarrassment to us inasmuch as men such as Ron Halbrook, Daniel H. King, Steve Wolfgang and John McCort would grace any periodical’s pages. However, each of us would recognize that men such as Hoyt Houchen, Earl Robertson, Irvin Himmel, Irven Lee, Bill Lavender, O.C. Birdwell, Bobby Witherington, and Jimmy Tuten give the paper a maturity which is not available from those of us who have less experience. Consequently, I have felt the need to add several men of more maturity to our staff and, toward that end, have invited Bill Lavender, Hoyt Houchen, Bobby Witherington, Johnie Edwards, and Irven Lee to join us (since being selected to edit Guardian of Truth).

With this issue of Guardian of Truth, we are happy to announce the addition of another writer to our staff. He is Weldon Warnock. I do not think that we could choose a better man for our staff than brother Warnock. He is a seasoned veteran in the Lord’s service. His reputation as a faithful gospel preacher is known far and wide. The local works which he has done through the years commend him to us. They are his epistle known and read of all men. To those who might not know Weldon Warnock, let me introduce him to you.

Biographical Sketch

Weldon grew up in Carter County, Kentucky which is in the northeastern part of the state. He attended a one-room school at Lower Grassy, Kentucky during his first three or four grades. He graduated from high school at Grayson in 1950. He was on the high school basketball team, playing about thirty to thirty-five games a season.

In April of 1949, Weldon obeyed the gospel at Sciotoville, Ohio under the preaching of Fred E. Dennis. Shortly after that, he decided that he wanted to preach the gospel. In the summer of 1950, he met James R. Cope at a lectureship in Parkersburg, West Virginia and brother Cope made arrangements for Weldon to attend Florida College. After four years at Florida College, he began full-time work with the Grant and Summit church at Portsmouth, Ohio. While at Portsmouth he met his wife Betty. They were married in November, 1956. They have one daughter named Julie who has recently finished her school work to be a registered nurse.

Since his first work at Portsmouth, Ohio Weldon has worked with churches in New Martinsville, and Paden City, West Virginia; Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; Bowling Green, Kentucky; Columbus, Mississippi; Xenia and Akron, Ohio; and presently at Gainesville, Florida. In the past several years, he has been conducting eight to twelve gospel meetings each year throughout the northern and southern states.

After being out of college for several years, he decided to return to school for a couple more years of study. While living at Bowling Green, Kentucky he was able to attend Western Kentucky University where he majored in psychology. Weldon is a regular writer for Searching the Scriptures and has been a frequent contributor of articles to Guardian of Truth. He has written a commentary-workbook on the book of Revelation for the Guardian of Truth Foundation that is now in its third printing.

During his twenty-seven years of preaching, Weldon has particpated in eight debates. Two have been with J.W. Holcomb on women teachers and the artificial covering. He debated Roosevelt York, a Holiness preacher, on the Godhead, miracles and instrumental music. At Bowling Green, Kentucky, he engaged W.T. Russell and H.C. Vanderpool in debate, both Baptist preachers. He later met Vanderpool at Louisville, Kentucky. While in Xenia, Ohio (Knollwood church), he debated Ted Lewis at the Dayton Convention Center on miracles. He teamed up with James Cooper and Wayne Chappell in a debate with three preachers in Cincinnati on Holy Spirit baptism and speaking in tongues.

From the time he began located work, Weldon has been involved in radio and television work. He began the Bible Forum broadcast on WAVI in Dayton, Ohio that is still on the air and continues to be well received. In Akron, Ohio he began Religious Talk on WHLO that continues to have good response. While in Akron, Weldon also conducted a TV program that had a large viewing audience for a religious telecast.

For the past few years Weldon has been making tours to the Bible lands and Europe. He has toured Israel extensively, along with Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Turkey and other places in Europe. He says the trips have enhanced his appreciation and understanding of the biblical record.

As A Gospel Preacher

I have had the privilege of working with brother Warnock in a couple of gospel meetings at the Knollwood congregation. His presentation of the gospel is simply outstanding. Like the apostle Paul, brother Warnock is determined “not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). His style is such that the common people hear him gladly. His sermons reflect the depth of serious study of God’s word but they are reduced to such simple terms that even the babes in Christ or alien sinners have no trouble understanding him. The crowds which attended the most recent gospel meeting at the Knollwood congregation were the best which we have had in the six years that I have been associated with the Knollwood congregation.

Conclusion

Brother Warnock will have a free rein to write on any subject he pleases. However, he has previously expressed interest in writing a column to keep us abreast with developments in the world of religion in general. After Weldon gets settled in his new work in Moundsville, West Virginia, that column will begin. Until then, we will be publishing articles from him on a variety of subjects of a more general nature. I think that our readers will be delighted to have the addition of Weldon Warnock to our staff of writers. Be looking for his column regularly.

Guardian of Truth XXVI: 6, pp. 83-84
February 11, 1982

By Irvin Himmel

Man was created by an all-wise, just, and benevolent God. We are free to acknowledge that fact,,or to speak as a fool and say there is no God (Psa. 14:1).

We have the power to establish whatever lifestyle we wish. God wants us to honor Him and pattern our lives according to His commandments and the divine principles He has revealed. But we are free to reject the will of God and serve our own lusts (Tit. 3:3). if that is our preference.

God loved us and seat His son to be the propitiation for our sins. We may respond to that love by obeying the gospel, or we may choose to decline God’s grace and judge ourselves unworthy of everlasting life (Acts 13:46).

We can allow Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Master of our lives, or we may decide that eternal life is not worth the price of following Jesus (Matt. 10:37, 38).

Each one has the choice of sowing to his flesh and reaping corruption, or sowing to the Spirit and reaping life everlasting (Gal. 6:7, 8).

Every accountable person has the option of serving Satan and receiving the wages of sin, or receiving eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:23).

We may make up our minds to walk by faith, or we may determine to elevate our own wills above the will of Him who created us. The choice is to walk in the good way, or to say, “We will not walk therein” (Jer. 6:16).

God sets before us life and death (Deut. 30:15). Our alternatives are heaven and hell.

Guardian of Truth XXVI: 6, p. 82
February 11, 1982