Truth Magazine

By Jimmy Tuten

Over the holidays I was in the home of a dear friend who is in the publishing business. He showed me a beautiful volume on Pompeii that his firm was responsible for bringing into being. I marveled at its magnificent color photographs depicting the city’s ruins and fantasized over what the city must have been before that dreadful day in the summer of A.D. 79. What was once a showplace of culture was buried beneath tons of hot, wet ashes and cinders that were sprayed over it by the eruption of Vesuvius. For almost seventeen hundred years it was forgotten and its actual existence was questioned by many. Having been discovered, its testimonies to grandeur are ours to behold. The most important thing about Pompeii’s ruins is what they tell us about the people of that day. It is a fact that numerous individuals lost their lives in the destruction who needed not to have lost their lives.

Archeologists found that most who lost their lives at Pompeii did so because they lingered too long, trying to prolong enjoyment of what they were doing or trying to salvage their valuables. One publication tells us, “The excavator’s shovels revealed all manner of family tragedies, scenes of mothers, fathers and children caught in absolute extremity. Mothers were found still holding their children in their arms, protecting them with the last bit of veil as they both suffocated. Men and women were dug up who had gathered their valuables together, got as far as the city gate and there collapsed under the stony hail, still clinging to their gold and precious things. At the threshold of one house two young women were found who had hesitated until it was too late, intending to go back into the house and salvage some of their treasures. Body after body was found at the Gate of Hercules, bodies all heaped together and still encumbered with the household gear that had grown too heavy to drag any further” (Gods, Graves, And Scholars). What a lesson to learn!

God’s Word reveals a far greater destruction to come than that experienced by Pompeii, a destruction involving those who obey not the gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-9). The certainty of this destruction cannot be denied, yet rather than flee to the arms of safety, people linger in sin. The same things that caused many to perish in Pompeii, devotion to loved ones and earthly possessions, are causing people today to linger in disobedience to God’s Commands. They will die in the destruction of the world because they are outside of Christ (2 Pet. 3; Rom. 6:1-6, 17). Nothing should keep us from obeying the gospel (Matt. 10:37-38; 6:19-20; 16:24-26).

Learn a lesson from the destruction of the beautiful, proud city of Pompeii. Flee from a life of sin that you might escape the wrath of God upon the disobedient. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:3). “Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matt. 24:42).

“Careless soul, why will you linger, wandering from the fold of God? Why so thoughtless are you standing, while the fleeting years go by.”

Truth Magazine XXIV: 27, p. 433
July 10, 1980

By Eugene Crawley

In view of the existing differences among churches of Christ today in regard to the care of the unfortunate (fatherless, widows and needy), often it is necessary to point out the real issue. Too many brethren are uniformed or ill-informed through prejudiced and unscriptural charges; therefore, they have no real idea of what is actually involved. Some of these are purposely kept in the dark, being shielded from hearing one who differs with their informants. Because of this, barriers have been raised that only serve to further prejudice and inflame brethren against brethren.

Due to the fact that the real issue has been kept covered, it becomes necessary at times to inform, by the best possible means, that which is rarely the cause of division. Some have written at great lengths to say but little other than to cloud the real facts by various arguments that have no scriptural basis.

In the beginning, let it be stated that no true Christian is opposed to assisting any and all as he may have ability and opportunity. Therefore, this is not the question at issue. Rather, the question is: “Whom has Christ authorized the church, the local assembly, to assist from its treasury?” To determine this, or scriptural authority for any other activity of the church, there must be found either positive command, approval apostolic example or necessary inference in the New Testament. Either of these will establish scriptural authority. That the Lord has directed individual Christians to engage in this work is evident from many passages such as: Matt. 5:16; 6:1-4, 19, 20; 10:42; 19:21; 20:28; 25:31-46; Mark 14:3-7; Luke 3:8-11; 6:38; 10:30-35; 11:41; 12:33; 14:13, 14; 16:19-31; 19:8; John 19:26, 27; Acts 9:36-39; 10:2-4; 20:34, 35; Romans 12:8, 13, 20; 15:1; 1 Cor. 13:3; 16:15; Gal. 2:10; 6:10; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:4, 16; 6:18; Heb. 6:10; 13:2; Jas. 1:27; 2:6, 15, 16 and 1 John 3:17, 18.

That the church may relieve poor saints, care for its own needy, is evident from such passages as: Acts 2:45; 4:32-35; 6:1-6; 11:27-30; 2 Cor. 8 and 9; Rom. 15:25, 26 and 1 Tim. 5:16. From these passages we see the responsibility of God’s people to show compassion to the unfortunate.

That no other organization, either larger or smaller than the local congregation, is essential to carrying nut the work of the church authorized by the Lord is evident by its absence from the complete revelation of God, wherein He gives us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3), and furnishes us unto every good work (2 Tim. 3:16, 17).

The issue, therefore, is not that this work is to be done, nor how it is to be done, but who is authorized by the Lord to do it. Whoever, or whichever organization, does the work, the same how (facilities, personnel and necessaries) must be employed. The need then is not another organization to do this work. The need is not a human society, but actually the need is teaching of the mission of the church. The church needs to be taught to do its work rather than to establish a human organization and turn the work over to it. Brethren of the past have been able to see the parallel between evangelism and benevolence; between an orphan home with a board of directors to do the work of the church and the United Missionary Society. The need now is for those advocating such human arrangements to produce the scripture, or scriptures, that authorize the organization other than the local church under its elders. Brethren need to understand that the church is not a legislative body, nor are its elders endued with legislative powers to make rules to govern its work, but that we must be content to be governed by the authority of Christ expressed -in His last will and testament. This is but to say that all that we do in word or in deed must be done in the name – not of the church, but of Christ (Col. 3:17).

When the church (local) contributes to the need of a saint, it is simply helping him to fulfill his responsibility to himself and those dependent upon him. Thus, you can see that some non-members may be assisted indirectly (benefited) by such help (1 Tim. 5:8, 16 and Acts 6:1-6).

Some elders and local churches attempt, it seems, to salve their consciences by sending a “token” contribution each month to a care-taking institution. Many times, if and when, brethren will take the time to figure what their contribution per member is, it will perhaps amount to no more than 20 cents per month, or $2.40 per year. What kind of care do you think that this would provide? (And, if each sent their contribution it would require 15 cents to mail it!) Can this work really be done “by proxy”? It appears that this kind of contribution is simply “to be seen of men,” or “be identified with certain brethren.” “What do those who oppose churches contributing to orphan home arrangements give?”, you may ask. Hardly any of these will boast of their love and concern (as some do) for such needy people, but when the truth is learned, it is far more than the above amount, and yet they are accused of having no pity and no compassion upon the less fortunate. “By their fruits (works) ye shall know them.”

We should be set for the defence of the gospel and feel no obligation whatsoever to attempt to defend the various arrangements and projects of men. Let us, therefore, be content to follow the Lord’s work, rejecting the wisdom of men.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 26, pp. 428-429
June 26, 1980

By Irven Lee

There have been periods in the history of man when the church after the New Testament order had to meet in secret if it met at all. There are places like this in our own generation in certain areas that are under the strong control of certain Catholic and Communistic governments. It is hard for Americans to know what it is like to be unable to advertise the place of worship or to hand out written sermons. Buildings may be built for the special purpose of worship in this country, and their locations may be freely advertised. The doors may be opened wide to any who desire to come, and we are free to seek to persuade any we meet to worship with us. They will not lose their jobs if they come, nor will they suffer any physical hardships. Some neighbor might scold them for attending, others might ridicule a bit, but they are protected by law against physical harm for choosing to worship with us. This is a liberty for which we should be thankful.

Paul said, “I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:8, 9). In that age of persecution, he mentioned adversaries and an open door in the same sentence. The church has grown in the face of bitter opposition many times. The gospel is God’s power unto salvation, and truth is a powerful force. Lives effectively touched by the teaching of the Bible will cause men to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and the faith of such people will cause them to endanger their lives, if necessary, to spread the faith that is so precious to them. We owe a great debt to the great heroes of faith who paid such a price to put the Bible in the hands of the people in the language they could understand and to those who also sacrificed much to proclaim its truths where there were many adversaries. Let us use our liberty with much more zeal to spread the knowledge of the truth.

The apostle to the Gentiles found an open door at Troas, but he rushed on into Macedonia because of his special concern for the sick church at Corinth. He had written to them and encouraged other preachers to go to their rescue. He was also making his journey in that direction. He was writing a second letter when he mentioned the opportunity at Troas which he had passed for the time (2 Cor. 2:12, 13). He was eager to meet Titus and get some report from Corinth. No one man can be every where to enter every open door or to teach every honest heart. Many have been the times when good men have wondered where they should go and what they should do to accomplish most. The white fields call for more laborers (Matt. 9:36-38; John 4:34-38). This is a situation about which we should work and pray.

A worthy appeal is found in Col. 4:2-4, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” The apostle even preached gospel sermons when they were brought before kings, governors, and courts in their own self defense. They preached in season and out of season and asked others to do the same. Some of us might have seen the adversaries and supposed that there was no open door. There is need for the strength of conviction that drives men to declare all the counsel of God daily regardless of cost.

In this day, the speed of travel is a great advantage. It does not take so much of one’s life to go on the important errands. What portion of Paul’s life was spent in travel, in the task of getting from one place to another? One today has more time to preach because the time for going and coming is not so much. When you think of the slow rate of travel, do you stand amazed as you think of the generation that carried the gospel to the world in that one period of time (Col. 1:23)? We ought to be ashamed that we have done no more in this generation.

Consider this glimpse of how the gospel was carried so rapidly in the day of slow travel. “I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: but as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you; for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints” (Rom. 15:18-25). Paul himself is speaking of the whole eastern and northern sides of the Mediterranean Sea. He worked with fellow laborers, and they set us an example of preaching beyond the four walls of our meeting houses.

The message of truth has often been carried to individuals, to congregations, or to great numbers by written messages. This is a door through which truth may pass. Luke begins his account of the gospel story by these significant words: “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye witnesses, and ministers of the work; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou has been instructed” (Luke 1:1-4). In fact, our whole Bible was given as holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit'(2 Pet. 1:21). There are certain advantages in teaching through written lessons. The reader can stop and consider a remark without being left behind while a speaker moves along. He can also turn back and read portions again. The document can be kept for future study. Let us not overlook this open door to teaching and learning. It is sad that many who could do not read. They miss a lot.

Radio and television stations have in the past offered wonderful opportunities in teaching the word of God. They are not as effective now as when they were first coming into use since there are now so many stations on the air. Listeners may turn to anyone of many and hear various types of programs, according to their own fancy. Times are changing, and I supose the generation is passing that has been able to broadcast the gospel by radio. There is a national trend for radio stations to refuse to sell time at any price for religious programs. Too few of the young preachers who are beginning their work now will have a chance to preach through this medium. Most of the radio time is now given over to cheap, ungodly music because the directors of the stations are convinced that the public desires such. Whatever the desires may be to the contrary, every person should have an opportunity to hear the gospel. It is sad to me to see this great door being closed. By radio many people have been reached who were not attending religious services anywhere and had not before shown any interest in spiritual things. Being able to listen in the privacy of their own homes often led to their interest being aroused which caused them to become Christians.

The challenge before all teachers of truth is to find other doors through which they may enter. As one door closes, perhaps others can be found which are open. Let us all look for them.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 26, pp. 427-428
June 26, 1980

By Daniel H. King

Surely the most harrowing experiences which life sends our way are our failures. No matter what the particular failure, or the area of life wherein it protrudes itself, still the feeling of inadequacy, of impotency, of inability, seems to make-the whole world come crashing in around us. All of our successes of the past and even potential success for the future plans into insignificance in the face of that one failure. We are like the man who got sick on a bologna sandwich, just one mind you, and spent the rest of his life despising bologna, judging all bologna sandwiches in light of that one. We tend also to do that with our failures.

There are cases where churches think this way when it comes to preachers. One time they had one who would not work, or would not pay his bills, or chased women, or in some other way disgraced the noble work of preaching and shamed the name of Christ, so they are forever left with a bad taste in their mouth about men who preach. The baby is cast out with the bath water. Every preacher is a scoundrel.

Then there is the church that appoints elders and one turns out to be a tyrant. The eldership is dissolved and the brethren from then on take the position that a congregation is better off without elders. All elders are judged in the light of one elder who failed. Little thought is given to the clear teaching of the New Testament that it is God’s intention for the church to be shepherded by such pastors (Acts 14:23; 20:28). No church is organized in’ complete harmony with the word of God when it has men who are qualified to be bishops but has none who serve in that capacity. That congregation will never function smoothly nor will it be administrated properly until men of wisdom, experience, and proven efficiency are given the work that God intended for them to do.

Too, those of us who preach taste the bitter pill of defeat. Perhaps it is our fault, the burden of failure being our own and not some other’s. In that event it would not hurt for us to develop broader shoulders and carry the weight without trying to throw it off on others. Though blaming someone else is easy, it is also cowardly and we can be assured that before too long the chickens will come home to roost. You can only move away from a bad reputation a few times before people begin to see the pattern and know that it will perennially be your lot.

But there are going to be times when we fail, our preaching is rejected, and we are fired or simply asked to leave under stormy conditions – yet it is not our doing. They have rejected the word of God. It is always hard and never easy, but it is as certain an event as the rising of the son wherever and whenever God’s word makes contact with hardened and impenitent hearts. We may take heart at knowing Pharaoh rejected the word of God at Moses’ mouth, Ahab at Elijah’s, Israel at Jeremiah’s and all the prophets, the Pharisees at Jesus’, most of the Athenians at Paul’s, etc. In spite of this, however, there is always the tendency to take it as personal slight, a personal affront to me. We commit the error of Samuel whom God had to correct with the words, “They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me . . .” (1 Sam. 8:7).

What follows such rejection can be even worse for us than the failure itself. In my brief experience, I have known men who grew bitter, hostile and caustic because of one brief encounter with such ego-assaulting defeat. They turn inward and selfish, judging all congregations of Christians by one little band of malicious men, likely only a small minority of one congregation.

Learning to handle defeat is no simple affair. But it can be turned into a learning experience, instead of a rotten apple that ruins the whole barrel. When we were little we fell many times before we learned to walk. But we never gave up. Our upright posture and proud gait is today a testimony to our having overcome the bruises and the bumps that we all received along the way. Likewise, success as a Christian, a church of Christ, an elder or deacon, a preacher, a husband or wife, depends upon an individual and cooperative effort at overcoming the failures that we meet along life’s way. Seeing each one as another learning experience (after the first shock is over) will help us all immensely.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 26, p. 426
June 26, 1980