Truth Magazine

By Dennis C. Abernathy

It is good for us to study the cases of conversion in the Acts of the Apostles. Not only will it help us dispel many false and peculiar notions, but it will show us the way God has outlined for us to be saved. In this article, we wish to explore the conversion of a man who by occupation was a jailor. The basic text will be Acts 16:16-34 but let us begin with verse 9 and see the beginning of the account.

We find Paul and Silas on their second missionary journey; while at Troas, a vision appeared to Paul in the night. In this vision, Paul saw a “man of Macedonia”. This man pleaded with Paul to “come over into Macedonia, and help us.” From that vision, they “assuredly gathered that the Lord had called them for to preach the gospel unto them” (v. 10). Those people needed help (just as people today need help). Paul and Silas realized what they needed, just as we realize what people need today – the Gospel (Rom. 1:16)!

In verse 11, we see them leaving Troas and coming to the city of Philippi, a Roman colony and capital or chief city of Macedonia (v. 12). In verses 13-15, we read of the conversion of Lydia and her household. Paul and Silas were certainly doing nothing out of the way, exciting the people, or in any way disturbing the peace of the city.

They continued in the city and to worship with those by the riverside. One day, they were on their way to the place of prayer when they met an “unfortunate damsel” (v. 16). She was possessed with a demon. We might say she was in double-bondage; in bondage to the demon as well as her masters (those who were using her for gain). They were making merchandise of her misfortune. (Ah! but what the love of money will make one do!) This damsel began to follow them and to give testimony concerning them. What she said was true and she continued to do it for many days. It may be that she said it in a sarcastic way, in a way to stir up prejudice, or in order to make gain for her masters, but whatever, Paul stood it as long as he could. He was “grieved” or “greatly annoyed.” By the authority of Christ he cast out the evil spirit. This was in perfect harmony with the promise to the apostles in Mark 16:17. Paul was not going to be in alliance with demons. God did not need that kind of testimony (read Luke 4:41).

This upset the damsel’s masters to no end. They saw that their gain was gone; now they would seek revenge, so they dragged them to the marketplace before the rulers. There, they accused them falsely (they never stated the matter of casting out the demon) by stating that they were preaching a new religion (which was forbidden by Roman law). Do you believe these greedy men were concerned about the Roman law and religion? Certainly not! They had lost their source of income and were trying to discredit Paul and Silas any way they could. So they gave a very patriotic speech in which they became pious and loyal! What a farce! They gave Paul and Silas no opportunity to make a defense, of that, Paul later complained (v. 37). They then tore off their clothes and had them beaten with rods. We do not know how much they were beaten; it just says “many blows or stripes.” Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:25, “Thrice was I beaten with rods.”

After they had beaten them, they threw them into prison, yea, even into the “inner prison.” Not only did they throw them into this dungeon, but they put them in the stocks as well. They were treated as the worst of criminals, and all unjustly. Now just picture in your mind, if you will, the plight of Paul and Silas. They are in stocks in this Roman dungeon, with their backs beaten, bruised, and bleeding, simply for doing the Lord’s will.

But they now take their case to a higher court. They go to God. It was about midnight when they began “praying and singing hymns of praise to God” (v. 25). This was quite an unusual sound to be heard in a heathen prison. Paul and Silas were “rejoicing in their sufferings for the Master.” They were not cast down or depressed and complaining. They knew they could pray and sing praise unto God anytime and anywhere. Verse 25 tells us “and the prisoners were listening to them.” Think of the impression made upon their minds. In such a condition, they could still have such a faith in God! But, my dear friend and good reader, not only did the prisoners hear, but God Almighty and His Son, for whom they were suffering, in like manner heard them.

In verse 26, God’s vindication and a great earthquake is recorded. It shook the prison to its very foundations. The chains and stocks were thrown off, the doors thrown open. All of this awoke the jailor, and he thought the prisoners had all escaped, so he was going to take his own life. He was in charge of them and Roman law held him responsible with his life. Paul saw what the jailor was about to do, and loudly cried out to him, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here” (v. 28). The jailor then came in before them trembling. His attitude toward Paul, Silas, and God, had changed. No longer are they treated as the worst of criminals, but he brought them out of the dungeon and referred to them as “sirs”. He then asked them a very profound question. “What must I do to be saved?” He was concerned about the salvation of his soul from divine condemnation. He was not referring to being saved from the earthquake – it had already passed. He was not concerned about being saved from the Roman penalty – all the prisoners were there. He was not concerned about being saved from the wrath of the Roman gods – he certainly would not have inquired of Paul and Silas for information about them.

This is a very personal question. It is a question you and I must ask. What must I do? Not what must God do! Not what must Christ do! Not what must the Holy Spirit do! No, they have already done their parts (made salvation possible). Neither, was it “What must I feel?”

We now turn our attention to the answer given to this trembling jailor. “And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household” (v. 31). They started with this man where they found him. He was a pagan; he knew nothing of the Lord. No doubt, the same was true of him as was with the man in John 9:36, “He answered and said, And who is He, Lord,. that I may believe in him?” So next they “spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house” (v. 32). This was done in order that he might believe on the Lord (Rom. 10:17). It is clearly implied in (v. 33) that he had repented. Then, in verse 33, we read that he and his household were baptized. They did not wait for a “baptismal service” a month later; it was perforrhed that “very hour of the night.” This was done somewhere between the time he brought them out of the prison and into his house. Somewhere along that route they found water and he baptized them (v. 30, 33-34).

Some use this account (v. 31) to teach “salvation by faith only.” But it does not so teach, except in the vain imaginations of men. Paul told the jailor to believe on the Lord and he should be saved, but of course he meant for him to believe with the completed faith; hence, he baptized him the same hour of the night; then, and not till then; is it said that the “jailor rejoiced, beliveing in God with all his house.” Also, Paul, you remember, is emphatic in teaching that men are “made free from sin” when they have “obeyed from the heart” the form of doctrine (Rom. 6). And Peter, as well, said that we “purify our souls” in “obeying the truth” (1 Pet. 1:22). Hence, we see neither of them ever taught that a man is saved by faith before obedience; but countrariwise, one must do as the Lord taught (Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:5).

Paul could now more fully realize the call of the man from Macedonia. Also, he could see the wisdom of God. His experience just related agreed with his further instruction. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Truth Magazine XXIV: 39, pp. 632-633
October 2, 1980

By Daniel M. King

The above title was the heading for an article that appeared in the July 27, 1980 issue of the Chicago Tribune Magazine and featured a discussion of “The Big Business of TV Evangelism.” I was not so amazed at some of the figures as I suppose some people may have been. Most of us who know anything of the scriptural teaching regarding the raising of funds for the church’s work are naturally skeptical about the big promotions and fund-raising drives and begging campaigns that constantly go on, masterminded by these big-time promoters who always sound as though they are bitten by the bug of poverty. Too, they identify their schemes and antics as the “work of God” and those who help them by sending in gifts and offerings as their “partners in the work of the Lord.” The real truth is that these men are only enriching themselves and their great religious empires and enlarging and filling up their own personal “barns” in order to build greater. The humble efforts of the apostles look pretty puny in the light of their work: the twelve never attempted to beg from the community or to take up “love offerings” from the people of the neighborhood who just happened to be listening when they preached. They lived “of the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14), but in some cases refused even to do that (1 Cor. 9:18). At all events, they did not live lavishly or attempt to build great worldly monuments to themselves – but to enshrine in the hearts of others their risen Lord Jesus Christ. They were betimes supported by the churches they had started in different locales as they preached the word elsewhere (2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:16), but it was the churches that provided their support. They were not leeches upon the ones who heard them and they never gave the slightest impression by their acts or words that they had intention of ever being so.

Yet it is easy to see that these modern promoters and TV evangelists of the flamboyant stripe are quite different. As an instance, I submit for your consideration the person of the “Reverend” Robert H. Schuller. The article in the Tribune pictured him standing in his recently completed $18 million “Crystal Cathedral,” a 12-story glass skyscraper-church building, “a structure that rivals Disneyland’s snow capped concrete Matterhorn for dominance of California’s otherwise undistinguished Orange County Landscape” (Ronald Yates). Schuller began building a following back in 1955 when he “pioneered drive-in religion from atop the snack-bar roof of an Orange County outdoor theater.” The cathedral was the result of what Schuller called “possibility thinking”: “Nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself’ (Emphasis mind, DHK). The 55 year old Schuller is pictured standing atop his opulent red Spanish marble altar in his marble pulpit, with a caption beneath that reads: “I don’t jam the Bible down people’s throats. I believe in the Bible, but if people want Bible preaching, they can get it elsewhere.” Whereupon, Ronald Yates comments, “And what you hear is no ordinary Bible-thumping sermon. There are no references to Satan, sin, or damnation. Nor is there any mention of such social ills as racism, sexism, crime, or corruption. It’s all strictly noncontroversial. And references to the Bible itself are rare.”

Not all of these big-time Billy Sunday types fit this description of Schuller. Some use more Bible than others; some condemn some present-day sins more than others; some are less open in their talk about money than others. But the name of the game is money and prestige nonetheless. As Richard P. McBrien, professor of theology at Boston College, is quoted as saying: “These TV preachers can’t tell me they’re serious about Christianity when they’re driving around town in limousines. The money is their Achilles’ heel.” Pat Robertson of the “700 Club” reigns over a $58 million-a-year electronic ministry; Rex Humbard has his Cathedral ‘of Tomorrow with its boasted “indoor cross,” the largest indoor cross in the world; Jerry Falwell and his ministry earn $50 million a year; Billy Graham’s Crusades realize about $30 million a year; Oral Roberts, with his prime-time specials, etc., generates about $60 million a year. No doubt about it, this is big business, and makes for its biggest stars some of the biggest money around. It is a sure key into the lap of luxury for the man with the business-sense and the willingness to embrace people of many different views without making any waves or rocking any boats or stirring up any criticism that would ruin the ratings or hurt the revenues.

And with the turn that many churches of Christ have been taking lately we may confidently expect to see some of these characters and their chicanery beginning to crop up among us soon. As a matter of fact, anybody who knows anything about “what is” is already aware that brother Ira North, flamboyant minister of the Madison Church of Christ and editor of the Gospel Advocate, fits the description of the only kind of promoter that could survive in the “mainstream” of the “mainline” churches at the present moment. His willingness to compromise is well known from the instance connected with the ecumenical memorial that he had to do with, in which he and a Catholic priest along with a Jewish Rabbi were given the main responsibilities for its planning and development for the city of Nashville. The thing drew so much criticism that he finally resigned from it, without apology or repentance, with the excuse that he was simply “too busy” with other things to take care of it. His desire for attention was almost a regular feature of the Nashville landscape; he was seen riding a motorcycle to the church meeting-place in bright red suits often enough that it was the talk of the town; he sported diamond rings on his hands, and was always in the middle of a new promotion of some sort or another: “We’re going to have the biggest Sunday school here at Madison in the history of the churches of Christ next Sunday.” “Our goal is 6000 here at Madison next Sunday” (or some such astronomical figure, DHK). His newest device is the “Amazing Grace Bible Class,” which features his smiling face and assorted pleasantries, and the weekly giving away of Bibles as rewards to those who answer tricky Bible questions. The show airs on TV stations all around the country and has a host of enthusiastic watchers. The center of focus, as well might be expected, is Ira North the promoter.

Now we all know that Ira has taken a lot of criticism in the past and likely will yet in the future – and most of it for good reasons. But I should think that we will all probably look back someday and remember how extremely mild were the antics of Ira North when we view them from the perspective of the new generation that is now “the seed yet in the husk” and will take his place someday. I am sure that he will be seen as one who prepared the way for men and methods still undreamt-of in the churches. It will be said that he missed some of the best techniques and that his days were the days of moderation, the moderation of expediency. There were lines that he could not cross, that even he – dared not cross. And though I am neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, with the attitudes currently being what they are in the many of the churches and among many of the preachers, I would venture to say that we are not far from the day when men will arise from our ranks who will not even stop where he stopped. And some of our brethren will see the success of their methods and the numbers that they draw and will rethink their attitudes about such matters. Then the Ethic of Utility will have the final say.

Already Pat Boone, under the influence of his neopentecostal heresy, has made appearances on several programs as the celebrity-guest of different big-name TV evangelists, thus endorsing their doctrines and their methods. In addition, Don Finto of the avant-garde Belmont Church of Christ has made at least one appearance on such a show, showing his endorsement. “When will we get a show of our own?” (I can almost hear some brethren asking). “Herald of Truth is not flashy or dazzling enough, it has never drawn enough attention (except for opposition from the “antis”); and it has relied for support upon thousands of congregations, support that has ebbed and flowed because of the controversies that have troubled it in the past. What we need is a man with the flash and dazzle of an Oral Roberts or a Rex Humbard! Someone who can generate the cash-flow and put the church on the map!”

I am fully aware that some of what we have had to say above lies entirely in the realm of speculation about what may happen. All the same, conditions are certainly ripe for some of them to take place. In closing, I would like to make a few suggestions of some lessons that we can draw from this foolishness and from Bible principles which pertain directly to attitudes that could characterize a few among us: (1) We might rethink many of the ideas that we have come to cherish about what an “ideal preacher” is. Some of us expect him to be flashily and flamboyant, smiling and debonaire, tall, dark and handsome, with winsome personality; he must have a touch of eloquence and a flair for the dramatic. He must offend no one. His style must be always gracious and never militant. He must be a promoter and a builder, a virtual “spark-plug” for the congregation with which he labors. His clothing must always be stylish and fashionable, a pace-setter for the community. What we are describing here, I think you can see, is a preacher after the order of the TV evangelists that are coming into multitudes of homes and with which we think our men should compete. But they cannot and should not make the attempt. The Hollywood-inspired preachers generally have little or no concern for Bible authority, but have a plentiful supply of concern for what will help to “rake in the cash.” If men who labor among us ever reach the low point at which they can give money a thought when it comes to what they preach and how they preach – then it will be a sad day for the church of the Lord.

Most everyone who ever met David Lipscomb said that he was about the ugliest man they ever saw. He wore home-spun clothes at a time and in a place when and where such was clearly outmoded. This is not an endorsement for being either ugly or unfashionable. But it does say that this man who touched the lives of untold thousands and who “being dead yet speaketh” could touch men’s hearts and change men’s lives by the sheer power of the word of God faithfully preached. Paul instructed Timothy (2 Tim. 2:2); “The things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou the faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” Over and above these God-given qualifications we have not the right to venture others.

(2) At a time when the apostolic example of the collection being taken up on the first day of the week for the ongoing work of the church is taking a real beating in the minds of some people, it evinces that this is really the only way that the preaching of the gospel can be carried out without its lying under a constant cloud of suspicion. The ethic of utility notwithstanding, those who preach the gospel cannot be truly effective if the public considers them mercenary in their motives. Yet that is precisely what comes across when the hat or basket is being perpetually passed or when the speaker on a broadcast is perennially asking for donations. The freewill offering of the saints on the first day of the week should be sufficient to accomplish the inauspicious purposes that God has for His people, and certainly was so in the days when the gospel was sent into all the world without the aid of modern contrivances (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Phil.4:16; Col. 1:23). And when it was done no one could ever voice the objection that it was accomplished at public expense and to enrich those who did the preaching. Their humble ways and open honesty was absolutely above reproach, “taking thought for things honorable not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Cor. 8:21).

(3) We must learn the lesson that the opulence and finery of these starry-eyed dreamers is only another aspect of a this-world-oriented-religion. The building of great shrines and monuments and the establishing of TV networks and worldly businesses is all a part of what is to perish when this world is consumed by fire (2 Pet. 3:10). Yet we have some among our brethren who are set on erecting such cathedrals “up to the heavens,” costing millions of dollars and forcing them into all sorts of escapades to raise the monies necessary to pay off loans for such edifices. Then they must lower the standards of morality and Christianity in order to fill up these huge houses with the ungodly and reprobates of every kind – all to make a big impression upon the world. If they were making saints out of these sinners it would be an entirely different thing, but as a matter of fact that is not what is happening. Rather, the church of Christ is being turned into no more than a glorified social club and its meeting-house into no more than a recreation and entertainment center. Brethren who meet in humble houses to worship their master can take consolation in the promise of God that there are mansions that await His people if they have the patience to endure and not to be side-tracked by things of only temporal import: “Our citizenship is in heaven . . .” (Phil. 3:20). We are not to “mind earthly things” (Phil. 3:19) or “desire to make a fair show in the flesh” (Gal. 6:12).

(4) In the struggle to compete with these Hollywood style preachers that some among us have essayed to make, we must not forget that the power of the gospel is both to draw and to repel. “The word or the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). I cannot help but recall the words of the worldly-wise Robert Schuller: “I admit I don’t hold up a Bible. I don’t deliver biblical expositions. I don’t jam the Bible down people’s throats. I believe in the Bible, but if people want Bible preaching, they can get it elsewhere.” Schuller knows what it takes to get and keep a large following and to “rake in the greenbacks.” Schuller and those of his stripe want only to draw people. But the power of the gospel is in its very ability to both draw and repel, to draw those who would have a pure and contrite heart and to repulse those whose interests are only this worldly. Remember that Jesus allowed – yea more, said the precise words that were calculated to turn away the rich young ruler – if his heart and motivations were not pure and absolute (which they turned out not to be, Lk. 18:18-25). Schuller and those like him would never be so straightforward, so strong, so judgmental, but would draw him to them and encourage him to make large gifts and love offerings to help finance their grand schemes.

The heart-breaking and soul-rending truth of this thing is that in the churches of Christ at the present day there are many who preach who would be little able to denounce mercenary and utterly spineless preaching of that type because they fit the job description just about as completely as do some of those who are far more successful at it than they are! Said Ezekiel the prophet of those with whom he contended in his days, namely the false prophets: “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die, and thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way; that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hand” (Ezek. 33:8). We will all make mistakes in our preaching, but whatever we do we had better not make the tragic and irreparable error of failing in the most basic duty of the preacher – failing to preach: to “reprove, rebuke and exhort” (2 Tim. 4:2ff). For saying that we have failed at that is the same as saying that a policeman has failed to police or a runner to run or a teacher to teach. But really nothing is comparable, for no other illustration could possibly embrace the aweful consequences of failing to be the kind of preacher the Lord would have one to be. Only the fierceness-of the fires of eternity could ever bring that reality into its true light; and if the Bible is a true Book and God the author thereof, then the hideousness of that moment will be the greatest and the most unendurable to the one who carried the burden of responsibility for preaching the truth, but dropped the load to dance to the tune of coins jingling in his pockets. “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow Christians, because you know we who teach will be judged more severely” (Jas. 3:1; Williams’ Translation).

Truth Magazine XXIV: 39, pp. 629-632
October 2, 1980

By Mike Willis

Some denominationalists are beginning to become alarmed at the manner in which radio and television evangelists are developing a following. Literally thousands of people are choosing to stay away from worship services, opting to listen to a television evangelist instead. Frankly, I have little sympathy for the denominationalists who are just now becoming alarmed at what prime time religion is doing to the local church. For years they have been teaching that a person can be saved without being a member of the local church. Those who are choosing to listen to a radio or television program instead of going to a local church are only doing what denominational preachers have been preaching for many years.

Many denominations are losing membership. Consequently, they are looking around to find out what is happening. One of the things which they are finding is that many Americans are getting their religion via radio and television without ever becoming affiliated with a local church.

One should only expect that material is going to be printed regarding these prime time radio and television evangelists. One of the more recent books published is Give Me That Prime-Time Religion by Jerry Sholes. Sholes is the son of an ordained Presbyterian clergyman. He joined the staff of Oral Roberts in January 1975 to assist in the television productions put out by Oral Roberts. His book is an exposure of some of the methods and finances of the Oral Roberts ministry. The book is not carefully documented; it is good or bad in direct proportion to the reliability of Jerry Sholes’ testimony. However, as an insider, he deserves to be heard.

Oral Roberts As Seen By Jerry Sholes

As one who worked with Oral Roberts and saw the inside of his ministry, Jerry Sholes reached several conclusions. Here are some of them:

1. The finances of Oral Roberts’ ministry. Sholes related that Oral Roberts’ mail room is equipped to handle 20,000 letter per day. He related that 90% of those letters contain a contribution and the average contribution is $5.00. The daily income of the Oral Roberts’ ministry from the mail room alone would tally $90,000 per day or $450,000 per week. This comes to $23,400,000 per year from mail room contributions alone (p. 8).

In addition to the mail contributions, Oral Roberts would conduct six to nine seminars per year at Oral Roberts University. These seminars are not extended periods of concentrated study; they are fund raising seminars. Usually people who have previously supported Oral Roberts are invited to the seminar. The group meets together for a time during which Roberts presents his principle of seed-faith (give away from your need, give God your best and expect back). If a person expects a miracle from God, he must give big. During the seminar, a project on which Roberts is working is presented with pledge categories ranging from $100,000 to $250. Generally the take from one of these seminars ranges from $1.5 to $3 million (pp. 30-33). Hence, another $15 to $25 million are generated through the seminars.

The total annual flow of money for the Oral Roberts ministries is approximated at $60,000,000. The prime time religion is certainly a financially profitable religion.

2. The giver. Sholes described the average giver to the Oral Roberts’ ministry as follows:

. . . the typical profile of an Oral Roberts supporter is a person who has terrible personal problems. Those problems are usually bad health, a bad marriage, a bad financial situation, or a bad relationship with someone or something. A person who has those kinds of problems is obviously going to be looking for solutions. Chances are that person is going to experience some kind of emotional catharsis in either solving his problems or being taken under by them. That person is looking for a way out! And, now, from what this man, Oral Roberts, is saying, it looks like he might have some answers! That viewer is going to sit there in front of his set at home and watch what comes next, once he is in that frame of mind (p. 24).

That is about the conclusion I would have expected. The desperate person is grasping for straws for help; Roberts offers a chance for help and he grabs.

3. The affluence of Oral Roberts. The affluence of Roberts and his tendency to flaunt his wealth attracted a good bit of attention by Sholes. He wrote,

. . . Oral’s wardrobe is obtained from Brioni and most of the suits he wears each and every day have a price tag of at least $500. He wears $100 shoes and drives $25,000 cars which are replaced approximately every six months. He is a member of Southern Hills Country Club, the most prestigious and elite country club in Tulsa. The membership fee alone at Southern Hills Country Club is $18,000 (which includes a share of stock valued at $9,000) and, in addition to that, members are charged monthly dues of $130. Oral and his son also belong to the ultra-posh Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. They joined with a membership cost $20,000 each.

The jewelry which Oral has come to enjoy wearing on his hands and wrists has become a source of concern for some of his own employees in his Editorial Department . . . the department which puts out his monthly magazine. Artists within that department have begun putting an airbrush to his fingers and wrists in order to hide the diamond rings and the solid gold bracelets he has begun wearing within the past five years (pp. 132-133).

In addition to these features, Sholes discusses the ownings of Oral Roberts, including his 258 acre ranch, his house which was valued at $60,000 in the mid-fifties, his airplane runway and 12-passenger executive plane, etc. God’s humble servant is surely doing pretty well out in Tulsa.

4. No miracles. I was particularly interested in noticing whether or not Jerry Sholes observed any miracles during the period that he worked with Roberts. Commenting on the fund raising tactics of the seminars conducted by Roberts, Sholes related that he frequently heard the staff coming in talking about how many dollars were raised at a given seminar but never heard anyone talking about how many were healed. He said,

. . . Usually, during a seminar, there were participants who were in wheelchairs. I never saw anyone healed of anything and that bothered me. I saw people who had come expecting a healing and I saw the raw hope and desire in their eyes. If faith could have brought them up out of those wheelchairs, they would have come out and been ready to run a 50-yard dash, on the spot! It never happened.

Oh, once in a while someone would get up out of a wheelchair and limp off the stage. But, I’d seen them a day or two before get out of their wheelchairs to get into cars or go into the restroom. They weren’t total and incurable wheelchair cases. They merely needed the wheelchairs for comfort because of the particular illness they had. They could, however, get up and walk short distances if they had to, or if they really wanted to. They really wanted to for Oral, so they’d do it and then return to their wheelchairs backstage. It was a dog and pony show!

I never, on a Monday morning after a seminar, ever heard one person in the organization talk about how many people were healed during a seminar. The only figures I ever heard relating to seminars were dollar figures! (p. 34).

Another distressing incident related by Sholes tells the story of a faculty member at Oral Roberts University who had a baby to die. He relates the story as follows:

. . . He and his wife had a young baby who became ill. This particular faculty member apparently decided to really put the power of prayer to the test and began praying for the child rather than taking it to a hospital. The baby’s illness became more and more severe until the infant actually died right in the home of the faculty member.

That, in itself, is sad enough. But, the story gets worse. The couple then decided to begin praying and fasting to bring the infant back to life. In addition, they requested that Oral come into their home and also pray for the child. The words used by a certain ORU Vice-President to describe Oral’s reaction to that request were, “He wouldn’t touch that with a ten-foot pole. That dead baby was in their home (the faculty couple’s home) for three days before I could get a doctor in there and get the baby out of the house. A story like that would ruin Oral. The press would crucify him” (p. 38).

To say the least, Jerry Sholes saw nothing, according to the testimony of his book which would lead him to believe that God was working miracles through Oral Roberts.

Many other incidents of interest regarding Oral Roberts were cited in the book Give Me That Prime-Time Religion which I think many of our readers will want to purchase. It is available through Truth Magazine Bookstore at the price of $8.95.

Other Shenanigans By TV Evangelists

One does not have to look far to find that what is stated with reference to Oral Roberts is true of other faith healers. For example Leroy Jenkins, a faith healer who has traveled all over the country, is presently serving time in jail in connection with an arson charge. Yet, he continues to operate his ministry from prison, according to the last reports which I heard.

Frankly, I would not send a dime to any of these primetime evangelists even if I agreed with them doctrinally, which I do not. I would hope that our doctrinal teaching from the Scriptures has demonstrated that one should not support a false teacher (cf. 2 John 9-11); however, if it has not, maybe this expose by Jerry Sholes will cause some to take a closer look before writing a $5.00 check and mailing it to one of them.

The money can be used best by personally seeing to it that the poor are helped, some needy preacher is supported, or contributing to the needs of the local church. In these cases, the opportunity for abuse is greatly reduced. The individual can see the good that is being done with his money. Moreover, he will not be duped into thinking that he will get a bundle of money or a miracle of healing in return for his contribution.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 39, pp. 627-629
October 2, 1980

By June Elliott

The problem of suffering is one that is strange to us all, but when we can think of it as a school of learning, it does help. What better way is there to learn to be more patient, humble, and to have a deeper faith in our God?

When we are down we learn to lean on God and to thank Him more when things are going good for us. After being through one of these times, we can appreciate our good health even more. So, if we have never suffered, then how can we know the real joy of being well and whole? Also, through our suffering we can help one another better to wipe away one another’s tears, or listen to them with a heart that knows and understands.

Job suffered so much, and he felt much like us I am sure; but he kept his faith and submitted himself to his God as we must do. So as we suffer, the time seems so long, but really it is short compared to what we will have with our God if we remain faithful through it all.

I have suffered little compared to many, but it has helped me in so many ways to understand better someone else who is suffering. But most of all, it has helped me to trust God more and more, and to realize I needed that. It is not easy to suffer sometimes, and as we try to put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:13-18), we may feel sometimes it is wearing a bit thin. Through these times of suffering and trial, however, it seems to renew and grow stronger once more. Thus our suffering is not in vain. I once knew a lady who was tied to her bed for seven or eight years. She could not even get up to get a drink of water. I went to see her many times, and she was surely an inspiration to me, as she would feel sorry for me because of some small pain I might be suffering. I would think to myself, now here is a lady that with every movement of her small, frail body brings about great pain; and yet she tries to cheer another. I would ask her about this, and she would say, “Honey, I have been in this bed a long time, so I want to help someone else.” I would go away many times feeling ashamed and more humble and thankful than before.

I know that I will never forget this lady and the lesson that I learned from her, as she is now gone on to her reward. Yes, I know these times are hard, but I do believe that all things work together for our good, as Rom. 8:28 says, if we try hard to see the good that comes from our suffering!

I think back to the time I sought peace, and by the time I was 25 years old I faced six operations, been through many other things I will not go into, and I was most miserable because I had not learned yet to really trust in God and His mercy. I began to search and look deeper and deeper, and pray harder by submitting myself to God and asking for courage and strength to face whatever might lie ahead for me. I found this blessed peace that only those sleepless nights can sometimes bring about. So I quit complaining so much, and realized I could not change a lot of things. But through prayer and faith, I could even smile through the most of them.

Sickness is really a ‘blessing in so many ways, because through it we really meditate on spiritual things, find peace, help others, learn to be patient, and to humble ourselves so we can have these wonderful blessings. If we truly trust in God and His mercy to see us through, as Rom. 8:35-39 tells us, nothing can separate us from the love of God. And they will not, if we will not give in and have too much self pity. So as we begin to question, “Why is God doing this to me?”, we need to remember He does not do it, but allows it to go on sometimes to help in so many ways because He loves us and will not let us suffer more than we can stand.

Oh yes, we must put on our armor to help us through these times (Eph. 6:13-18), and try hard even though it will be battle worn and frail at times. Yet I know we all will not be able to say as the apostle Paul said in 2 Tim. 4:6-8, “I am ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” What a wonderful thought here! So, as Christians, we will suffer and sometimes it seems even more so; but we have blessings that are more precious than gold.

I hope the things I have said will help another to bear those days that will be filled with pain and sleepless nights. Turn to the Lord, and let Him comfort you. I would like to close with a poem I wrote when I was in pain:

Look To The Lord

Sometimes life on this earth is hard to bear,

All the problems, strife, and pain seem so unfair!

Oh, but there’s one who’ll walk with you all the way,

Who’ll give you courage, strength, and be your stay!

So as you may cry aloud or softly weep,

And your pathway seems ever so steep,

Look to the Lord and promises He gave,

For your soul He will surely save.

This is far worth more than any gold,

He will give you blessings that are lovely to behold.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 39, p. 626
October 2, 1980