Truth Magazine

By Irvin Himmel

In the stillness and ebony of night, following the keeping of the Passover with His disciples and a period of lengthy discussions, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At a place called Gethsemane, He told the tired and weary apostles, “Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with Him to go a little farther into the garden. He “began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy” (Mk. 14:33). His soul was “exceeding sorrowful” (Matt. 26:28). He went forward a short distance and fell on His face in prayer.

In Gethsemane

The prayer of our Lord in Gethsemane reflected His human feelings as He faced the reality of death. “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Human nature shrinks “from the dissolution of the bond that binds to soul” (Edersheim). Jesus had taken upon Him the nature of man. He was nearing the time when He must bear the iniquity of us all. The prospect of death brought the deepest kind of agony to His soul. The physically exhausted disciples had now fallen asleep. “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Lk. 22:44).

I confess that my mind cannot fully fathom the horror and agonizing grief which our Master suffered in Gethsemane. It was a foretaste of Calvary. He who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, and was found in fashion as a man, “offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying tears unto him that was able to save him from death” (Heb. 5:7).

Night, with ebon pinion,

Brooded o’er the vale;

All around was silent,

Save the night-wind’s wail,

When Christ, the Man of Sorrows,

In tears and sweat and blood,

Prostrate in the garden,

Raise His voice to God.

– L.H. Jameson

A mob stormed into the garden with swords and staves, lanterns and torches. Judas positively identified Jesus, and they laid hands on Him and took Him away. After a brief appearance before Annas, Jesus was taken to Caiaphas, the high priest.

Before the High Priest

John records an incident which may have occurred before Annas or before Caiaphas. The account in John 18:19-24 is not clear as to which “high priest” is under consideration. Commentators are pretty equally divided on the point. I lean to the view that this took place before Caiaphas in a private interview. The high priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Since Jesus had taught openly in the synagogue and in the temple, not concealing His doctrine, He responded, “Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.”

One of the officers of the high priest “struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?” Perhaps this officer was not accustomed to hearing a prisoner speak in such a forthright manner, standing for his own rights. Jesus replied, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?” The slap in the face was intended to insinuate that Jesus had not shown respect for the high priest. The truth is that the blow was illegal. Jesus was merely demanding that witnesses be brought if the court had a case against Him. Hendriksen thinks the officer tried to exploit the situation for his own selfish advantage – that he may have been dreaming about a promotion! It is worthy of note that he was not ordered to strike the prisoner. His action was daring and despicable.

Later, two false witnesses were brought to testify against Jesus. Being put under oath and commanded to state plainly whether or not He was the Christ, the Son of God, He answered, “Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

The high priest rent his clothes and charged Jesus with blasphemy. “Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?” (Matt. 26:67, 68). In addition to these indignities, they covered His face (Mk. 14:65). Luke explains what happened in these words: “And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him” (Lk. 22:63-65).

Imagine how you would feel if you were held in custody and the men who held you began spitting on you, beating you in a sadistic manner, and they blindfold you and strike heavy blows, taunting, mocking, jeering! These insults and abuses were both unjust and contrary to civilized conduct. The brutality and vulgarity of the scene bring into sharp focus the animal instincts that had moved the guards and servants of Caiaphas to show the utmost contempt toward the prisoner.

After appearing before Annas, before Caiaphas, then before the Sanhedrin, Jesus was sent to Pilate, Judea’s Roman governor. In the course of the questioning, Pilate learned that Jesus was from Galilee, and since that was Herod’s territory, he sent Him over to Herod.

Before Herod

Herod had wanted for a long time to meet Jesus. Having heard many things about Him, the king hoped to see Jesus work a miracle. He questioned the Galilean prisoner in many words, and the chief priests and scribes were there vehemently accusing Him, but Jesus “answered him nothing.”

“And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate” (Lk. 23:8-11). To “set at nought” means “to count as nothing, to treat with utter contempt, as zero” (Robertson). The flinging of a brilliant robe around His body was a part of the mockery and derision.

No small segment of the pre-crucifixion suffering of the Savior was the manner in which He was shuttled from one court to another. Visualize Him being led shackled through the streets of Jerusalem, and He was arrayed in a gorgeous robe. Every step was one of burning ridicule.

Before Pilate

Pilate had to do something to appease the Jews. He hit on the idea of chastising Jesus and releasing Him. That did not suit the accusers. When he offered to release either Jesus or Barabbas, a noted criminal, they urged the release of the latter, and cried out concerning the former, “Let him be crucified.” Pilate yielded to their wicked demands.

Three of the writers report that Jesus was scourged (Matt. 27:26; Mk. 15:15; John 19:1). This was “a flogging with leather whips weighted with bone or metal laid on so hard that weaker men sometimes died from it” (Culver). “. . . The scourge of leather thongs was loaded with lead, or armed with spikes and bones, which lacerated back, and chest, and face, till the victim sometimes fell down before the judge a bleeding mass of torn flesh” (Edersheim).

At the Hands of Ruthless Romans

The soldiers plaited a crown of thorns and placed it on His head (John 19:2). This was done after they had stripped Him and arrayed Him in a scarlet robe (Matt. 27:28, 29). Somewhere the soldiers found some prickly plants to use in making this crown to press upon His head. “Rivulets of blood must have started to run down his face, neck, and other parts of his body” (Hendriksen).

Covered with blood, torn with stripes, and tortured with sharp thorns piercing the head, the body of Jesus must have throbbed with pain. This was coupled with mental cruelty. They put a reed in His right hand. A king needs a scepter. Now that they have robed, crowned, and sceptered the “king of the Jews,” they bow before Him in mockery, and they cry in cutting derision, “Hail, king of the Jews!”

As though all of this is not enough, they spat on Him, and they took the reed and smote Him on the head with it (Matt. 27:30; Mk. 15:19). And, “they smote him with their hands” (John 19:3). Probably the soldiers took turns bowing in mockery, removing the reed from His hand to hit Him on the head and drive the thorns deeper into His torn flesh, spitting on Him, slapping Him, and deriding His kingship.

But the worst ordeal was yet to come. They led Him away to crucify Him . . . .

Guardian of Truth XXV: 1, pp. 9-10
January 1, 1981

By Johnie Edwards

The greatest question ever ask by man is, “What must I do to be saved?” It is a great question because it involves man’s greatest possession – his own soul! Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matt. 16:26)?

The Question

The question, “What must I do to be saved?”, is of great significance. A simple study of the words in the question will help us see the importance of the question.

1. What. The word what shows that one is inquiring about the value or nature of a matter.

2. Must. The word must means that a thing is necessary.

3. I. I points to the individual. It is not a question of what others must do, but what must I do?

4. Do. The word do indicates there is something to be carried out, or executed.

5. To be. To be shows there is something in the future.

6. Saved. To be saved is to be delivered from. So far as this study is concerned, we are looking at the idea of being delivered from sin. The word saved is used at least two ways in the Bible. There is salvation from past sins and salvation in eternity with God, after this life is over.Paul refers to “the remission of sins that are past” (Rom. 3:25) and Peter refers to “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:5).

A Bible Question

What must I do to be saved is a Bible question. Acts 16 contains the events of Paul and Silas being in Prison at Philippi. The jailor was prompted by an earthquake to ask, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

A Bible Answer

Bible questions demand Bible answers. A great majority of people have been taught and believe that one is saved at the point of faith without any other acts of obedience. Their false conclusion is based on the partial events of the conversion of the Philippian jailor in Acts 16. Many conclude that when Paul told the jailor to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shaft be saved” (Acts 16:31) that faith was the only condition of his salvation. But as one continues to read the story in Acts 16:32-34, he can easily see that the jailor repented and was baptized the same hour of the night!

Two Sides To Salvation

A failure to realize that there are two sides to salvation has caused some to conclude that God does it all and that man has nothing to do.

The Divine Side

There are some things God has already done to make salvation available to all. Let’s take a look at some of these.

1. God gave His Son. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

2. The grace of God has been bestowed. “For by a. ace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God – not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). Paul told Titus, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Tit. 2:11). God has bestowed His divine favor upon men, making salvation possible.

3. Jesus shed His blood. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). God’s love for man caused Him to send His Son to die for sinners. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

4. The Holy Spirit revealed the truth. The revelation of the saving gospel was made by the Holy Spirit. Paul said, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words; whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) – as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit -” (Eph. 3:3-5). The Hebrew writer tells us that “God hath spoken unto us by his Son. . .” (Heb. 1:1-2) and we need to listen.

The Human Side

God has done His part and requires that man do his part to complete the process of salvation. Here are the essentials God requires of us in order to be saved.

1. Hear the Gospel. At the Mount of Transfiguration God said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5). In order for man to know what God wants him to do, he must first hear what He has to say.

2. Faith in Christ. Jesus said, “For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. . .” (Jn. 8:24). Some teach that man is saved by faith alone, but the New Testament does not teach that faith or anything else by itself will save us. James said, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). Man cannot please God without faith (Heb. 11:6).

3. Repentence of sins. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). An example of repentance can be found in Matthew 21:28-31. In regard to working, one boy said, “I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.” What did he do when he repented? He changed his mind. So repentance is a change of one’s mind that results in a change of action or life.

4. The Confession. The confession is of one’s faith in Christ. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32). Paul said, “That if thou shalt confess the with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9-10). There is no better example of this confession than that of the eunuch when he said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. . .” (Acts 8:37). You will notice that this was not a confession of sins but a confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!

5. Baptism. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16). The very purpose of baptism is to wash away sin (Acts 22:16). Peter said that baptism is “for the’ remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). This baptism is a burial or immersion in water, not a pouring or sprinkling. The word baptism means immersion. In Romans 6:3-4, Paul calls it a “burial” and a “planting.” It is at this point that the blood of Christ washes away a man’s sins and we are “baptized into Christ” (Gal. 3:27).

6. Be Faithful. After one has obeyed the gospel, he then is added to the church (Acts 2:47). As a Christian and a member of the Lord’s church, one must then remain faithful in worshipping God, purity of life, and working for the Lord. It is summed up in these words, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. . .” (Rev. 2:10). One must “be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. . .” (1 Cor. 15:58).

“Salvation belongeth unto the Lord” (Psalm 3:8). Therefore, God has the right to tell us what He wants us to do to be saved. We bid you to hear and obey His will today.

Guardian of Truth XXV: 1, pp. 7-8
January 1, 1981

By Earl Robertson

John records the obtrusive conduct of Peter with Jesus. The lesson is one that needs to be learned by many disciples of the Lord today. But I find it to be one of the most difficult things to get some to accept without question. It was on this occasion that Jesus, for the third time, showed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection (John 21:14). After the conversation Jesus had with them and specifically telling Peter to “feed my sheep,” Peter wished to know what the Lord wanted John to do. The Lord responded to Peter, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:22).

Peter was too concerned with business that was the Lord’s personally. He is told that of which he inquires is none of his business, and what should deeply concern himself is “following” the Lord. To do the will of Christ was his business; however, he seemingly could satisfy himself by putting his nose into the Lord’s business and forget all about what really constituted his own responsibility. As long as Peter stayed busy trying to interfere with the Lord’s own plan, he had neither the disposition nor time to keep himself walking properly before God. How could he be satisfied so cheaply?

There are always some who like to live like Peter in this respect. Industriously and constructively they are pygmies as compared to those whose business they seek to run. If they knew all they try to obtain without common sense and manners, they would be no better off. This is the lesson which must be learned by all who would serve the Lord profitably. If God’s people so live as to have no saving influence, the Savior says they “are good for nothing” (Matt. 5:13).

The matter of trying to run someone else’s business is totally contrary to both the spirit and letter of Jesus’ teaching. Solomon wrote, “It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling” (Prov. 20:3). We are told to “do your own business” (1 Thess. 4:11), and not suffer “as a busybody in other men’s matters” (1 Pet. 4:15).

Guardian of Truth XXV: 1, p. 7
January 1, 1981

By Irven Lee

An elder is to be “one that ruleth well his own family, having his children in subjection with all gravity; for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (1 Tim. 3:4, 5). The elder wins the respect of his brethren in being the good husband and father to his family. The orderly family with well-behaved children and a loving wife is a tribute to a man, indicating that he has good judgment, courage, and traits of leadership. Our nation needs thousands of more fathers who have skill in guiding and training their children.

It is just as easy to show that wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands as it is to prove that fathers are to have their children in subjection. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything” (Eph. 5:22-24). The idea of the husband being the one in authority in the home could not be taught with more plainness of speech. A business needs a manager; a school needs a principal; a state needs a governor; and a home needs a head a decision maker with the power of oversight in a position of leadership.

The father is to love his children so that he will bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 22:6; Heb. 12:5-11). It is love that causes him to use the rod when needed (Prov. 13:24). The children are given a sense of security by his strong arm of protection and guidance. The little people need the love and chastening of a good father just as they need food and clothing for their bodies.

The wife is to obey her husband since he has been given the responsibility of leadership. The manager of a business and the principal of a school are in charge in their respective spheres. This position of leadership is not a pedestal for praise and special honor. It is rather a special responsibility to see that the business and the school operate properly. Neither is to have the unpleasant attitude that he is a lord over the teachers or the clerks. The workers are not at war with their leader, but they work as parts of the team under a captain whom they appreciate. They realize the need of a leader who can co-ordinate and systematize their work. Many teachers have no desire to be principal because they know the responsibility that comes with the position. Many good wives are very happy as worthy helpers of their husbands who have been so good to them.

We could read of the wives being in subjection to their husbands in Col. 3:18 and 1 Peter 3:1-6, as well as in Eph. 5:22-24. In each of these references, the very next verse teaches that husbands should love their wives. Love suffers long and is kind (1 Cor. 13:4-7). In finding a good wife a man is abundantly blessed (Gen. 2:18; Prov. 18:22: Prov. 31:10-31). Aged women are to teach young women to love their husbands and their children (Titus 2:3-5). The wife will find happiness in being in such intimate association with loved ones. The one true God asked that men serve as head of the house, and He insisted on the proper love that flows both ways. His plan offers a pleasant situation for all members of the family.

The leaders of the Women’s Liberation Movement are atheists and admit it. They seek woman’s liberation from the responsibilities of a wife and mother. To them the woman who is a home maker is a slave. They do not count that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:25). To them, Christ was only man and the Bible only a book to be rejected. They would give the children to the government to be cared for in communes. Women and men could live more like a herd of animals.

I am not ashamed to admit that I recognize Christ as having all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). We are to be judged by His word at the great day of reckoning. Any may deny these fundamental facts if he desires, but he will realize the error of his way when he finds his place outside the walls of the great city with his own kind from all ages (Rev. 22:15).

The Bible was given to the human race to give hope, instruction, and warnings so that we might find the abundant life now and in the world to come (1 Tim. 4:8; Mark 10:28-30). It was not God’s purpose to crush men or women nor to mistreat children. There is a God, and those who realize this should treasure His counsel and His exceeding great and precious promises (2 Pet. 1:1-4).

The leaders of the National Organization of Women (NOW) have many deceived followers who think that this well-financed political body is working toward women receiving fair salary in the industrial and business world through the ERA. Congress and the presidents have already put laws to this effect in the statute books, and the courts are going about to enforce them. The real effort of NOW is to bring honor to the homosexuals and lesbians. Their thrust is against marriage and the home.

When people follow the Bible they “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). Those of us who visit one home of true Christians after another know that God’s law is best. One of the most effective proofs of the divine origin of the Bible is the evident blessedness of those who believe it and live by its precepts. A husband who is a Christian and a wife who is a Christian find great happiness in living with their obedient children. Truly the husband rules with love.

The church is subject to Christ. Wives are to be subject to their own husbands as the church is unto Christ. Christ and His apostles used the picture of the bride and groom to typify the church in its relationship to Christ. (Read Romans 7:1-4; Rev. 21:2; 2 Cor. 11:2; John 3:29.) It is wonderful that the church can be married to Christ who is head over all things to the church. The church needs His guidance, protection, and love. When is a more beautiful picture of happiness seen than in the picture of a happy bride who is glad to help make a stable home with the one she loves? Her husband has found a good thing and is happy, but she is just as happy.

Faithful servants of God are referred to as children of God (Rom. 8:16, 17; 1 John 3:1). Christians are subject to their heavenly Father. What more appropriate relationship could be found than a son to his father to typify the Christian’s relationship to God? The ideal father and a wonderful son give us a picture of genuine happiness when they walk down the street together. Oversight and authority in no way destroy love. God is love, but we are to obey Him. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Guardian of Truth XXV: 1, pp. 5-6
January 1, 1981