Truth Magazine

By Earl Robertson

David wrote, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him” (Psa. 18:30). This statement points to the perfect characteristics of the God historically revealed. Past history had fully manifested God and His ways with men; they knew His ways to be faultless and blameless. God had taught and made promises to those people and had kept His word. They knew “His word is not slaggy ore, but purified solid gold,” as Delitzch stated it. Later David wrote, “Thy word is true from the beginning” and promised, “I will not forget thy word,” saying he had hidden it in his heart that he might not sin against the Lord (Psa. 119:160, 16, 11). The claims for the accomplishment of right for and within a man are numerously ascribed to the word of God.

The word of God, as spoken through His Son (Heb. 1:1) is His power to enlighten and save sinners (Eph. 1:17, 18; Col. 1:13; Rom. 1:16, 17). Christians develop by this word (1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 20:32) and are kept by it (1 Pet. 1:5; Jude 24). This word cannot be invalidated, but endureth forever (John 10:35; 1 Pet. 1:25). The apostles, like the prophets, were divinely commissioned to preach it (Mk. 16:15, 16). Paul told Timothy to “preach the word” and only the word (2 Tim. 4:2; 2:2). Peter, likewise, admonished, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Even the doing of man must be circumscribed by the word of God (Col. 3:17). How careful the Lord has been in faithfully getting His word to us (John 17:8; 1 Pet. 1:12; Acts 2:1-4). As it stands written it is creditable and can be accepted as the word of God (1 Thess. 2:13).

Modernists do not accept the word as the absolute standard of right and wrong; they do not appreciate the fact that when one either receives or rejects the spoken word of God, he receives or rejects God (Matt. 10:16-40)! The apostles were God-sent and spoke His words (John 3:34). Our Bible is this written word! It is not a “paper-pope” as some would call it; neither is it a “fictitious and historically unsound blueprint” to completely furnish man with all essentials for godliness (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). They allege “biblicistic absolutisms” give raise to heresy!

The claim parroted today that making the Bible our absolute guide in all morals and spiritual actions is legalism is nothing short of moderism and unbelief. It is a rejection of the word of God. History reveals to us the frightful pathway, beleagured on every hand, by our own brethren who turned away from the counsel of God and led the church of Christ into one apostasy after another. Some of the very preachers who took the lead in turning the church away from the truth in worship did, within twenty years, deny the verbal inspiration of the Bible! They were looking for freedom! However, the “strait-jacket” of God’s truth restrained them; so, to obtain what they desired, they had to deny that the Bible was actually the word of God. L. L. Pinkerton of Midway, Kentucky in the introduction of the mechanical instrument in 1859 and his rejection of inspiration in 1869 is a good example of what we are talking about.

This reminds me of recent incidents in “The Old Jerusalem” – Nashville, Tennessee. You see the Old Belmont church in that city has recently adopted the instrument. Writers in the Gospel Advocate sorely lament this fact. But, we ask: Why should they? For years that church was full of teachers from Lipscomb College. The policies and actions charted and pursued by that school, and endorsed by the Advocate continuously, influenced and conditioned Belmont for its present action! Let the present objectors of her action demur and deny this charge if they wish, but the future will corroborate my statement. The liberal brethren who think and say they have “never changed” doctrinally are now only beginning to see sorrow. Their days of sore lamentation are just beginning to come. Church after church will follow Belmont! When brethren started taking liberal positions toward the word of God nearly two generations ago that generation allowed such preaching, but did not practice it; however, the children of that generation are now here and they both believe and will practice the preaching that came not from God’s sacred oracles. Furthermore, there is not one thing the liberal preachers who lament Belmont’s actions can do to stop this movement. They have nothing consistent with their teaching to do so.

As the editor of the Advocate recently wrote lamenting pulpit policies: “But when the pulpit goes (giving an uncertain ring), can the congregation be far behind?” Preaching is serious business and the church that does not realize this fact is doomed to sterilization and death or apostasy and death. The present harvest is sufficient proof to any thinking person that Bible preaching has not characterized many of the churches. Yet, the church is the “pillar and ground of the truth.” How was it possible for the Belmont church to vote (majority rule in the eldership – eight to three) the instrument in if the word had been fully preached in her pulpit? Any Bible believing person knows that a soft, compromising approach had to characterize that pulpit for years to accomplish this apostasy. Furthermore, while this softness and failure to “reprove and rebuke” characterized the pulpit it permeated and saturated the pew. This is history repeating itself. Shades of the 1850’s and 1860’s!

Belmont’s Bulletin recently revealed their endorsement of and participation in the Billy Graham campaign, saying: “Begin to mark your calendar. Many of you will want to be a part of the Graham crusade at Vanderbilt Stadium… If you would be interested in a Leaders Training Course to help in follow-up, please call and leave your names with the church office, or with the crusade office …. May the Lord bless the effort with strength.” Now, why would the Belmont church endorse and participate in the actions of all the denominational churches involved in this crusade? They have not been taught “sound doctrine” and neither have they heard the errors of sectism denounced from the pulpit. “Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now” (Jer. 17:15).

But, that is not all! Their bulletin again states: “You see, we must be ready to adapt to whatever new instruction the Lord gives, even if it appears to conflict with where he had us walk in the past.” So, they declare the Lord is giving them “new instruction.” This “new” revelation might “appear to conflict” with what God has spoken, but the preaching of the modernist conditions the people to “be ready to adapt to whatever” change in doctrine they might preach! Watch other churches with soft preaching and human philosophy follow.

It is obvious from the stated convictions of many that they do not believe God has already revealed to man all that He will say. They expect God to say something further to them because they want something different than what they already have from Him. The whole problem is men are dissatisfied with what God has spoken. Men with “itching ears” (2 Tim. 4:1-4) will sacrifice day and night, compass land and sea, lower their standards for something “new” from the Lord. But, the truth of the matter is, the Lord is not going to say any thing additionally to what He has already spoken to the human family. It is only when men “turn away their ears from the truth” that they turn to fables. Jude wrote, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). The adverb “once delivered” is aorist in tense. It means the faith of Christ (the gospel) is once for all times delivered.” This tense emphasizes the past action stated in “once delivered.” The same term is used of Jesus’ sacrificial death: “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself …. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. . .” (Heb. 9:26, 28a). Peter stated it this way, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18). How many times did Jesus die? How many times did He have to die to put away sin? Is His death for sin good for all men for all time? Is the power of His death sufficient for all men for all time? To answer these questions is to answer whether or not God has for all times spoken to all men.

Let us be glad that we have God’s complete revelation to man and that we have opportunity to both study it and teach it to others. His message will not change – in spite of the denominational Conferences, Synods, Councils. Let us “preach the word” be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” until Jesus comes (2 Tim. 4:2).

Guardian of Truth XXV: 2, pp. 21-22
January 8, 1981

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