Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

The secularism and materialism of our present age is likely to cause us to forget such basic doctrines as the sovereignty of God. Every source of teaching, other than those which base their teaching on God’s word, seems to depreciate the idea of a God who rules the universe. Our weather forecasters, geologists, scientists, and philosophers state emphatically that our world is run by certain basic operations of nature without any intervention of any supernatural forces. Many plainly deny that supernatural forces even exist.

Despite the beliefs of modern infidels, the Bible still reveals the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. A “sovereign” is “one who exercises supreme power; a supreme ruler; the person having the highest authority.” The doctrine of the sovereignty of God simply states that God is the supreme ruler of all creation. He is above all principalities and powers, being the Supreme Lord of the world.

Calvinists have exaggerated this doctrine to teach their decree of predestination whereby God is supposed to have foreordained every event which has, is, or will come to pass. Nothing is left to chance or accident; nothing is left to the free-will of man. Everything is said to have been foreordained and predetermined by God, including that man would sin, that some were created for the express purpose of burning in Hell (to the praise of God’s glory, of course), and that man’s salvation or damnation was based on God’s decree rather than upon faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ. I consider this concept of God’s sovereignty to be absolutely contrary to God’s revelation, His moral attributes, the Bible doctrine of man, and any number of other doctrines.

Nevertheless, the Bible does reveal that the God of the Bible is a sovereign God; He is subject to no one. He rules as He sees fit without giving answer to anyone. Regarding this sovereignty, let us notice:

1. That is based on creation. God’s right to be Ruler of the world is based on His creation of the world. The Psalmist said, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand” (95:6). “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he bath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods” (Psa. 24:1-2).

Worthy to be praised is Jehovah, the King of all of the earth. “For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth . . . . For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding” (Psa. 47:2, 7). As the Creator of the universe, Jehovah God is the Sovereign over it.

2. That Jehovah controls the kingdoms of men. The sovereignty of God includes His control over the kingdoms of men. Our world is not left to the mere caprice of men for what occurs in it. Kingdoms do not rise and fall because of men alone. God is the Sovereign in control of the nations. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Prov. 21:1).

The book of Daniel demonstrates that God is the one controlling the kingdoms of men. In chapter four of that book, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which Daniel interpreted for him. The dream foretold the period in Nebuchadnezzar’s life when he would act like the beasts of the field until he knew “that the most High ruleth in the kingdoms of man, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (4:17). The dream was fulfilled; Nebuchadnezzar went insane and ate grass with the cattle of the field. Later he regained his senses and continued his rule over Babylon. This chapter was written to demonstrate “that the heavens do rule” (4:25-26). Regarding Jehovah, Nebuchadnezzar said, “I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation” (Dan. 4:2-3).

The New Testament reveals the same truth regarding the control which God has of the nations. When Jesus stood before Pilate, the Roman procurator said, “Speakest though not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” (Jn. 19:10). Jesus answered, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above . . .” (Jn. 19:11). The Most high still rules over the kingdoms of men.

“The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land” (Psa. 10:16). “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (Psa. 145:13).

This is a very comforting doctrine for me, to know that Jehovah is the one controlling the nations. Though I do not know what the future holds, I know that He is the one controlling it. The government of this world will not be determined by some hair-brained nut! God is the one who determines what the course of the future will be.

The Meaning of Sovereignty

What does the doctrine of the sovereignty of God mean? To demonstrate that God is sovereign demonstrates that He will accomplish His will and purposes. The God who governs the world has the ability to accomplish what He sets out to do. We see this demonstrated any number of times on the pages of God’s revelation.

1. In Israel. When God chose Abraham, He promised to give him seed as numberless as the stars of heaven and the sands of the seashore (Gen. 15:5); indeed, He promised to make a great nation from Abraham’s descendants (Gen. 12:2). He also promised to give the land to Canaan to Abraham’s descendants (Gen. 12:7; 15:13-17). God was able to fulfill both of His promises.

The childless Sarah bore a son in her old age, even though she had ceased being “after the manner of women” (Gen. 18:11). Through Abraham’s son Isaac, the descendants of Abraham multiplied. Isaac’s son Jacob had twelve boys who became the heads of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Even when powerful Egypt attempted to stop the numerical increase of Israel, she was unable (Ex. I) because she was fighting, not only against the Israelite slaves, but also against the Almighty God of heaven who rules the world and who promised to make a great nation out of Abraham’s descendants. The will of God was accomplished.

Bible students will remember how the God of heaven fulfilled His promise to give the land of Canaan, that land which was occupied by giants (Num. 13:31-33), to Israel. Beginning with the miraculous conquest of Jericho, Israel invaded Canaan. Her wars were fought with the God of heaven assisting Israel. To fulfill His promise to Abraham, Jehovah sent hail stones (Josh. 10:11) and caused the sun to stand still (Josh. 10:12-14). The God of heaven is the Sovereign of the entire universe; He has the ability to accomplish His purpose.

2. In Redemption. The sovereignty of God is also seen in God’s accomplishment of His will to redeem mankind from sin. Jehovah promised to bless the world through the seed of woman (Gen. 3:15), the descendant of Abraham (Gen. 12:3), the descendant of David (2 Sam. 7:11-14). On several occasions, Satan used everything within his power to destroy the seed of David. Satan tried to destroy the descendants of David when Athaliah usurped the throne of Judah (2 Kgs. 11:1-3) but God preserved Jehoash through the priest Jehoiada. Herod the Great tried to destroy the son of David when he slew the Bethlehem infants, but God preserved His Son alive (Matt. 2:11-23).

The Psalmist foresaw the conflict between Satan and God’s purpose to make His Son king over His kingdom. He wrote,

Why do the heathen rase,

And the heathen imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh:

The Lord shall have them in derision.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath,

And vex them in his sore displeasure.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion (Psa. 2:1-6).

The Sovereign Lord’s plan to redeem mankind through the death of His Son; despite every attempt which the Devil used to prevent its accomplishment, God accomplished His will.

How foolish it is for man to try to prevent the Almight God of heaven from accomplishing His will. Every effort used by man to prevent God from accomplishing His purpose is destined to failure from the beginning. The great God laughs at man’s futile and foolish attempts to thwart His purposes.

3. In Judgment. I might add that the Sovereign of this world will also accomplish His purposes in bringing this world to its grand climax. His plans call for the resurrection of the dead, the destruction of this world, the judgment, and the final separation of the righteous and the wicked. As the sovereign ruler of this universe, He will accomplish His purposes. Nothing which Satan does or man might plan to do can prevent God from accomplishing what He intends to do.

That is the essence of Sovereignty. When a person has the supreme authority over everything and the supreme ability to accomplish his will, he is sovereign. Jehovah has exactly that relationship to this universe. He has supreme authority over it; He rules the world as He sees fit.

Worthy Of Praise

Surely such a Sovereign is worthy of man’s highest praise. “For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods” (Psa. 95:3). “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods” (Psa. 96:3-4). “Give unto the Lord the glory due his name . . . . O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psa. 96:8-9).

As the Judge of the earth, He is worthy of our praise. “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness” (Psa. 9:8). As the King of Glory, He is worthy of our praise. “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle . . . . Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory” (Psa. 24:8, 10). “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter” (Psa. 45:6).

The book of Revelation describes the scene around the throne of God as the twenty-four elders and the several beasts offered praise to God saying, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure thy are and were created” (Rev. 4:11). Ultimately all men shall bow in subjection before the King of glory, the Sovereign Lord of the universe. Let us praise Him while breath is yet in our body.

Conclusion

Frankly, I am comforted by the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. There are times when I watch the Evening News “with Walter Cronkite,” that I despair at all of the problems facing men on this earth. Discussions regarding the nuclear threat, the ability of man to totally destroy life from this earth, make me a little apprehensive. I fear that some insane person might trigger a button which will ignite a nuclear war.

Then I remember that God is still Sovereign over this world and my spirit is quieted. The same God who sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for my sins is still at the helm of the ship. He has not surrendered the government of this world to anyone. What happens in the future will be controlled by His will. He has revealed to us that, even if His saints must endure persecution and suffer hardship, the ultimate victory belongs to them. So I pillow my head in His bosom and sleep soundly.

Guardian of Truth XXV: 2, pp. 19-21
January 8, 1981

By Wallace H. Little

There is no blindness as great as that which is self-induced. Benevolence has been the “long suit” of our liberal brethren – at least if one would listen to what they say and read what they write.

The April 22, 1979 issue of the Broadway Bulletin, published by the Church of Christ, 1924 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas headlined: “Special Contribution For Tornado Victims nears $15,000.” This was benevolence raised for the victims of the tornado that hit Wichita Falls, Texas a little earlier.

In the October 14, 1979 issue of the same paper, the lead paragraph under the headline read: “What a magnificent day! Praise God! Marvelous crowds. Beautiful worship. You gave over $200,000.00 in cash. And the bond program was launched with sales of over $I million.” This had reference to raising the money for Broadway’s new building.

If we would do simple mathematical computation, we will find that the members of that church spent 80 times as much for their building as they did for relieving the needy and destitute. It seems the appeal for the new building was more attractive than the one to relieve the suffering at Wichita Falls.

Pure religion and doing good indeed!

I am saddened that brethren are so self-deceived. Such hypocrisy!

Guardian of Truth XXV: 2, p. 18
January 8, 1981

By Luther Bolenbarker

From the Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, by E.T. Hiscox, I quote:

“It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but `one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,’ and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, `baptism was the door into the church.’ Now, it is different; (underscoring mine, LB) and while the churches are desirous of receiving members they are wary and cautious that they do not receive unworthy persons. The churches therefore have candidates come before them, make their statement, give their “experience,” and then their reception is decided by a vote of the members.”

Stop and think for a moment of the consequences of Mr. Hiscox making such a statement and the dilemma in which it places him and all others of the Baptist denomination which ascribe to this Baptist Manual. “Now it is different,” Therefore:

1. Acts 2:47, which states that God does the adding to the church, can be deleted from our Bibles.
2. All scriptures which pertain to baptism as a necessary part of our salvation can be removed from our Bibles (i.e. Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Rom. 6:2-4; Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 2:12; Mt. 28:19, 20; Jn. 3:5; Tit. 3:5; Rom. 6:17, 18 and numerous other passages as well).
3. Deut. 4:2; Gal. 1:8, 9 and Rev. 22:18, 19 are really not needed because “one faith” is not true, as we do as the Manual says.
4. The church which Christ purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28) and all other passages dealing with it are not needed because the Baptist church which was established in 1611 can make its own rules.
5. James 2:24 can be cut out of our Bibles because man is saved by “faith only.”
6. Those passages dealing with the type of music in the churches’ worship can be deleted (i.e. 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; and Heb. 13:15).
7. 1 Cor. 16:2 is removable because we collect money every time we meet and not just on the Lord’s day.

8. The “Lord’s Supper” need not be partaken of, so Acts 20:7 and those passages which deal with the establishment of the Supper are of no value.

9. All passages dealing with “elders, bishops or overseers” can be blotted out because deacons and preachers rule the Baptist churches.

10. All passages which deal with the possibility of Apostasy can be removed because Baptist cannot fall from grace (i.e., 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Tim. 2:11, 12; Heb. 3, 4, 10, 12, 13; James 5:12; Rev. 2:5 and numerous others).

This article could continue for pages and .pages as a result of Mr, Hiscox’s statement and the practices which the Baptist churches, along with numerous other denominations, practice in the name of religion. But brethren and friends, the words of Jesus which will judge us, (Jn. 12:48) do not change (Heb. 13:8). Just as the wise an of old said in Eccl. 1:9, “There is no new thing under the sun,” we today cannot say, “Now it is different” and expect to be pleasing unto God, because Rom. 3:4 says, “let God be true, but every man a liar” We become a liar when we teach something different. Is what you believe different than the Bible? Do not believe a lie because the Bible is true (Jn. 17:17).

Guardian of Truth XXV: 2, p. 18
January 8, 1981

By Dennis C. Abernathy

In 1 Pet. 2:21, we read, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” Here are expressed words that should thrill our entire being. They express God’s love, mercy and grace toward us. They should capture our deepest thoughts, require our most solemn meditations, bring forth our most ardent thanksgivings, and demand the deepest reverence possible from us. Notice:

1. “Christ also suffered for us.” God’s Anointed (Psa. 2:2; Acts 10:38), the Messiah (Jn. 1:41), the Savior of the world (Jn. 4:42), suffered for us; indeed, in Him we see the joy of the earth and the glory of heaven.

2. “Christ also suffered for us.” The sufferings of Christ are unparalleled; they are extraordinary, and when seriously contemplated, truly marvelous.

3. “Christ also suffered for us.” Yes, mere men (I Tim. 2:4)! Sinners, separated from Almighty God (Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 5:8).

In this article I invite you to look at the sufferings of Christ briefly, as we hope to glean something that will bring us to a greater appreciation of Him, and cause us to stand in awe, of that great deed which was done.

I. Christ left heaven (a world of glory) and came to our earth of sin and sorrow. Just think, for a moment, of the sacrifice involved in this. Leaving the glory which He possessed, the great splendor, the adoration of angels and their worship, all holy and pure. In John 17:5, we read, “And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I ever had with Thee before the world was.” All of the glorious splendor of heaven, He left and came to the earth (His footstool; Cf. Isa. 66:1; Acts 7:49), to a world of pollution, and guilt, blighted and cursed because of sin. Oh what humiliation! Just think of some high dignitary, leaving the dignity and splendor of his high office to live in the hovels of poverty.

Christ thus suffered to open a way for us to heaven, that men (you and I) might ascend to the realms of eternal glory. It is beautifully portrayed in 2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

II. Jesus assumed our nature; He became flesh. How deep and past our finding out is this, other than the facts which are revealed to us. Deity clad in human flesh; God tabernacling in humanity “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14). “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Tim. 3:16).

Had the highest of angels assumed the form of the lowest creatures, though there would be abasement, yet it would be the transition of a creature (a created being) into the form of another creature. But with Jesus, we see the Infinite, Deity, the Creator assuming the form of the finite, the created. What abasement! (Read Philippians 2:1-1I.) Do you not see, dear reader, the reason behind this? This He suffered that we might be partakers of the divine nature, and attain the adoption of sons (2 Pet. 1:3-4).

III. Christ’s life during His sojourn in the world, was one of adversity and humiliation. We see Jesus (Heb. 2:9), the Son of God, invested with the reins of the universe (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17); yet, He became “poor.” He was the child of a poor virgin, the son of a poor hard working family (a carpenter). Jesus was poor throughout life, the animal creation (a stable), and He was buried in a tomb not His own. If Jesus crossed the lakes, it was in another’s boat; when He entered Jerusalem as a king, He rode on another’s colt. The last meal He had was in a room borrowed by His disciples from a friend.

Do we not see the adversity, humiliation, the deep poverty of our Lord? “Why, oh Why?” we cry aloud. Surely it was designed to open the treasury or storehouse of the eternal riches of God’s love and grace (Jno. 3:16; Tit. 2:11).

IV. Jesus submitted to shame, scorn, and insults. His reputation maligned, His purest of motives and His acts (“went about doing good” Acts 10:38) were misrepresented. He was insulted in every way imaginable, threatened, and finally betrayed by one of His own. He was arrested, suffered through a mockery (sham) of a trial, then being classed with thieves and robbers, He was scourged and beaten, spat upon, and finally had to drag His heavy cross up Golgotha, the place of the skull.

How low man had sunk in degradation and ruin because of sin. To ridicule, malign, and, with wicked hands, kill the pure, holy, and innocent Son of God shows us the utter depths of depravity that sin will plunge it’s victims into (read Romans 1).

But we also see how the spiritual Light could shine through the darkness of sin, shame and sorrow, with the power to bring sinners, of such low estate, to glory. Man was without hope He had to be raised, elevated, reconciled (brought back into favor with God); therefore, the Christ suffered all of this that we might be priests and kings unto God and the Lamb (Rev. 1:6; 20:6).

V. Christ’s agony and suffering in the garden. Here we see the import of the Lord’s awful mental anguish and loneliness of spirit. Into the garden He went, alone and in bitter anguish, while His disciples slept. Here was the utter struggle of the soul. It was in Gethsemane, and not on Calvary, that the crisis was reached, the battle fought, and the victory won. He emerged from Gethsemane fully prepared for the Cross.

Here retired in the garden of Gethsemane, where He became sorrowful, full of sorrow, sore amazed, desolate, and His soul was “exceeding sorrowful, even into death” (Matt. 26:38). For the Son of God, it is dark and bleak. It is indeed “midnight and on Olive’s brow, the star is dimmed that lately shown: Tis midnight and in the garden now, The suffering Savior prays alone.” He falls prostrate to the ground, His agony causes Him to sweat, as it were, great drops of blood. He prayed intensely, from the very depths His soul, and His Father answered His prayer, as the angles came, and He received strength for His approaching ordeal (Lk. 22:43).

What suffering! What a burden and weight – the sins of the whole world – to bear up under! All of this, that the spirit of guilty sinners might not suffer the anguish and despair of eternal Hell! Yes, the Lord endured spiritual and mental horror to procure our salvation.

VI. Jesus suffered the ignominious and painful death upon the cross. This was the worst form of death. It was offensive (Gal. 5:11); cursed was one who hung on a tree (Gal. 3:13). In 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, we see that to the Jews the cross was a “stumbling-block.” It is true today as it was then; for the most part, the Jews eyes are still blinded by the veil of Mosaic authority (2 Cor. 3:12-16). Then to the Greeks the cross was “foolishness.” To the speculative and philosophical, it is still so today. But to some the cross is “the power of God” and the “wisdom of God.” These see the authority, wisdom, and love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ; hence, it is becomes “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16).

Here on the cross, hanging as a criminal, suffering, bleeding, forsaken because of our sin, and dying – and He was guilty of nothing – but dying because all others were guilty (1 Pet. 2:22). Here we see the Son of God dying “outside the gate” – “without the camp” (Heb. 13:11-13). Drinking the bitter cup of suffering that He had come into the world to partake, finally crying “it is finished” – in this, obtaining eternal redemption for lost mankind.

Can we appreciate, thank, and love Him enough? Are you aware, just a little bit, of what He did? He did not suffer for Himself, nor for angels, or devils, nor that wicked men could be saved in their sins – but from their sins. We have a way of approach to God’s mercy and eternal life through Him (Jn. 14:6).

My friend, are you willing to “go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach” (Heb. 13:13)? Will you give praise, honor, and glory to His exalted and matchless name (Acts 4:12; Phil. 12:9-10)?

Guardian of Truth XXV: 2, pp. 17, 28
January 8, 1981