Truth Magazine

By Irven Lee

I am referring to grandchildren. “Let me tell you about my grandchildren.” You older people know what I am saying, and you younger people have heard us make our share of the comments. Grandchildren are the children of a younger generation, and they will soon become the adults who face the responsibilities that we have tried to meet. We who are older have our concerns and joys in these young ones just as the parents have. We have our duties to them which we should not forget.

My grandchildren seem to be special, and their accomplishments are important to me. Is it that way with yours? Ours stand out in the crowd, do they not? Every child needs to be special to an inner circle of people that he can call his people where there can be mutual love and respect.

Moses preached several sermons when he was old and fast approached the day of his death. These sermons are in print, and we call them the book of Deuteronomy. In this book, he reviewed the many experiences of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. He also repeated the commandments and judgments of God and insisted on his hearers obeying them. Great emphasis was given to their responsibility to teach these laws to their children and to their grandchildren (Deut. 6:6-9; 29:29). He would say, “Teach them to thy sons and thy sons’ sons” (Deut. 4:9). Moses knew the great tendency of people to follow the crowd about them, so he asked both parents and grandparents to be involved in trying to save the children through teaching.

Both Eunice and Lois were evidently involved in teaching Timothy (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14, 15). Fathers have special duties toward their children. This does not make me feel too comfortable because I have not done all that a father and grandfather should do. Have you done all that you should have done for your children and grandchildren? My wife has done more than I. It is good that there are women who take the place of both Lois and Eunice in our generation. It is a shame that there are not more parents who realize their responsibility to train their children (See Prov. 22:6).

My grandchildren were once little and helpless, but they are now reaching the height of their parents or going above them. As their bodies and minds have developed from that day of birth, the work of parents and grandparents has changed, but it has not diminished one little bit from the days when they protected, fed, and watched over those who were learning to walk and talk. You and I want our descendants to be faithful children of God, do we not? This is no easy task. I am thinking of the task of protecting and watching over those who are setting the sails which will determine the direction of their lives. They are growing up into a bigger world, and it is filled with immorality, doubt and unbelief, materialism, and drugs that can enslave them.

I am thankful that my children did not seriously injure themselves by falling out of trees, wrecking bicycles, or any other such opportunity for injury. They are all capable of making themselves useful influences in this wicked world. The possibilities are there, but the possibilities of killing themselves in reckless living and of sowing to the flesh are also there. You and I should know what cars can do to people on the road and what evil companions can do to those who must meet powerful temptations in the tenderness of youth. Can we find wisdom to help with love and understanding? The idea scares me!

My grandchildren have all been baptized into Christ, and they show an active interest in the church. This does my heart good. They seem to become more precious to their loved ones as they grow older. What could be more heart-breaking now than for one to yield to the flesh and fall into worldliness? Brethren in Christ who have had to face this sorrow and those who have not can understand our feeling of hope and fear.

Three of our four grandchildren have licenses or permits to drive cars. They are getting experience. Let us hope and pray that they may all realize that cars are not toys for adventure and thrills. The growing cost of cars and fuel may have a sobering effect on the young people of this generation, but at present it does not appear to have such. Many youths feel that money grows on trees and that they have only to ask their parents for an unlimited supply. It is a great lesson for any child to learn that money must be earned by the sweat of the brow and that neither he nor his parents has a right to that which he had not earned. Each young person should begin to earn when he has reached the age when he can with proper safety and discretion. Work is honorable, and learning to produce is a lesson that children may not learn easily from parents.

Falling in love with money is a danger that stands in front of all of us. One may come to have his eyes set on material gain to such an extent that the dollar becomes his god (Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:5). Time will reveal whether my grandchildren can use their money wisely as adults for the essentials of life so that they can bless others or whether they will use it for foolish fancies. We may hope and pray that they will put the kingdom and righteousness of God above the passing pleasures that money can provide (Matt. 6:33).

We are now to see the years rapidly pass while they will mature, finish school, become independent, and then marry. What if one makes a serious mistake in choosing a companion for marriage? I like to think that our children have some of the awareness of how important the decision is, but there is such a thing as being swept off one’s feet by the flattery and fair speech of the woman described in Proverbs seven. It is so easy to confuse lust and love, or physical attraction and spiritual beauty. I may get to live to see them all happily married. This would be a beautiful dream come true. If one is to make a failure in marriage, I hope death may take me first so that I will not have to see it. It must be wonderful to see great-grandchildren who are born to parents who are Christians, but I pray to be spared the horror of having great-grandchildren who are born into unstable homes where strife will surround them rather than love and faithfulness.

You may have wanted to tell me about your grandchildren, but I have the advantage of you in this medium of communication. I get to do all the talking. The truth is that this is an effort to communicate with all you parents and grandparents and children who happen to read this. The happiness of the young and old depends on the conduct, wisdom, and choices of the young people who are very precious to us.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, pp. 294-295
May 1, 1980

By Luther W. Martin

Brother Ralph R. Givens of Selma, California, recently suggested that I prepare an article for Truth Magazine, containing an evaluation of the New King James Bible (New Testament), published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., of Nashville, Tennessee.

The company of translators for this 1979 publication consisted of three groups of scholars, theologians and Bible students. Fifty persons composed the scholarly team that did the actual work of translating. They were from the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, New Zealand, and Australia. Each was committed to the belief that the Bible is an infallibly inspired book and signed a written statement to that effect.

There was an “Overview Committee” consisting of sixty-five persons, who pre-viewed the work of the translators as well as screening and refining the English wording selected, with a view toward grammatic accuracy, poetic beauty, and the semantics of communicating thoughts and ideas.

Finally, there was an “Executive Review Committee” of six persons (two of whom were among the fifty translators), who checked the suggestions and written comments received from numerous sources, resulting in a final English version.

New King James Bible Based Upon The Received Text

The original King James Version was completed in the year 1611 and was based upon the “Textus Receptus” (The Received Text). Sir Frederic G. Kenyon, wrote in his Textual Criticism of the New Testament:

Speaking very generally, it may be said that the manuscripts of the New Testament fall into two great classes, -those which support what is known as the Textus Receptus, and those which depart from it. The Textus Receptus is that type of text which, having been adopted in the earliest printed editions of the New Testament, has continued, with only slight modifications, to hold its own as the standard text in ordinary use. It is found in our ordinary editions of the Greek Testament, and in an English dress it is familiar to us as the Authorized Version; and it is supported by a vast numerical majority of manuscripts (pp. 58-59).

A school of thought in opposition to the Textus Receptus became manifest just a century ago (1881) in the conclusions of Westcott and Hort. Almost every English translation of the Bible since that date, has embraced the Westcott and Hort theory of textual criticism, with the result that a number of verses are deleted from the modern English versions. (See Truth Magazine, November 13, 1975, “The Genuineness. of Mark 16:9-20. “)

The New King James Bible is a refreshing effort toward restoring respect for the Received Text of the 16th century. This is not to blindly endorse the Received Text in the event that it does contain errors. But I do suggest that the Westcott and Hort Text contains far more erroneous renderings than does the Textus Receptus.

Goals of the New King James Translators

The translators of the NKJB sought to combine three ingredients: (a) The best knowledge of New Testament Greek, (b) Seventeenth Century English, and (c) Twentieth Century English. Their goal was to remove the archaic idioms and no-longer-used vocabulary. Additionally, they wanted to retain as much of the rhythm, beauty, and poetry of the 1611 version, as possible. The degree to which this announced goal has been reached can only be determined by studying the 1979 version. This writer is generally pleased with the New King James Bible (the Old Testament is presently being translated). However, there are a few passages that I would like to have seen changed (and, I believe, improved), when compared to the 1611 King James Version. I am thankful for the concerted effort that has been made toward getting back to the Received Text.

Questions Asked By Brother Givens

In the KJV (1611), Acts 2:40 reads, in part, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” But the NKJB (1979) reads “Be saved from this perverse generation.” In this comparison, we have the difference between “Active voice” and “Passive voice.” Concerning Acts 2:40, Parkhurst’s Lexicon, states: “So those who embraced the gospel, Acts 2:47, are called sozomenoi, those that were saved, that is, who followed Peter’s advice, ver. 40, and in this sense saved themselves by being baptized, and joining themselves to the believers.” It is to be. regretted that the 1979 version retreated from the 1611 rendering.

The Greek word actually used in Acts 2:40, that is translated “Save yourselves” in the KJV (1611), is sothete. It is found in most modern Greek texts as well as in my copy of the Greek Text of Carolus Hoole (London, 1653). J. Stegenga’s Analytical Lexicon, gives sothete, in Acts 2:40 as “passive” but renders it “Save (your)selves,” which is “active.” Most lexicons show the word as “passive,” yet several translators, like Weymouth, render it “actively” . . . “Escape from this perverse generation.” (Editor’s Note: the middle and passive forms of sozo [to save] are identical. One’s the6logy will probably determine which translation is given.)

Another Question Regarding “Active” and “Passive” Voices

Brother Givens points out that in the KJV (1611), the word strepho is rendered “be converted”; and the NKJB (1979) gives it as “are converted” . . . both of which allow the conclusion, that the sinner is “converted” without any action upon his part.

W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, states concerning strepho . . . “denotes (1) in the Active Voice, (a) to turn (something), Matt. 5:39; . . . (2) in the Passive Voice, (a) used reflexively, to turn oneself, e.g., Matt. 7:6; John 20:14, 16; . . .” (p. 161). Note, that in the Active Voice, strepho means to turn something; while in the Passive Voice, it means to turn oneself. Accordingly, the American Standard Version (1901) gives it: “Except ye turn, and become as little children . . .” Note that the “turning” is an action on the part of the sinner. This makes a vast and important difference as to the accurate rendering of strepho, in such passages as Matt. 18:3.

Conclusion

The New King James Bible (New Testament) has much to be appreciated, in the attempt to keep it as nearly like the original King James Version as practicable, yet overcoming some of the shortcomings of the 1611 version. However, I could look upon it with greater favor, if some of the renderings were less influenced by what I define as “Baptist theology.” Some 25 of the translators and Overview Committee were of the Baptist Denomination. This may have resulted in Baptist domination in the conclusions -cached. I do feel a debt of gratitude for the return of the Textus Receptus.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, pp. 293-294
May 1, 1980

By Mike Willis

The 21 March 1980 issue of Christianity Today contained an article entitled “Belief and the Bible: A Crisis of Authority” by Walter A. Elwell which contained some interesting statistics. When Americans were asked, “What is the nature of the Bible?”, 42076 responded that the Bible is the Word of God and is never mistaken, 30076 said that the Bible is the Word of God but is sometimes mistaken, 23070 said that the Bible is a collection of ancient religious writings, and 5076 said they did not know. Though these statistics show an increase in the in-roads of modernism and other forms of infidelity, one might be somewhat encouraged that 42070 of the American people, despite all of the assaults of infidelity, still believe that the Bible is inerrant.

A somewhat more alarming statistic is that so few are reading their Bibles. “Only 11 percent read the Bible every day, compared to 10 percent who read it weekly and 7 percent monthly. Thirty-seven million adults never read the Bible” (Christianity Today, 21 December, 1979, p. 14). Consequently, when asked where they turn first when the need arose to test their own religious beliefs, Americans responded as follows: (1) The Bible: 40%; (2) Holy Spirit: 27%; (3) Church: 11%; (4) Other: 22%.

We are faced with a nation of people who outwardly revere the Bible but generally never read it. Many families purchase an expensively bound, large print edition of the Bible to place on the coffee table for everyone to see; few families are seeking to study their Bibles day-after day in order to learn its rich contents. The same thing which is happening to our society is also happening to Christians; many Christians revere the Bible as the word of God but go through their day-to-day lives without taking the time to read it. An unread, neglected Bible is no advantage to us; one might as well not have a Bible as .to have one and not read it.

Our great God in heaven expects us to study the word of God. Here are some pertinent Scriptures which show His attitude toward the study of His word.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart; and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which 1 command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up”: And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates (Deut. 6:4-9).

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Psa. 1:1-2).

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward (Psa. 19:7-I1).

Our New Testament Scriptures enjoin the study of God’s word just as much on God’s people.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).

Those who claim to be the people of God must be characterized by an active program of Bible study, both at home and in their congregational capacity.

Knowledge Is Essential To True Religion

There are some, even among us, who would make salvation totally conditioned upon one’s sincerity. They say that if a man sincerely does not know about Jesus he can nevertheless be saved. Yet, the Scriptures clearly teach that one must know the truth in order to be free from sin (Jn. 8:32). One can have no faith without a knowledge of God’s word. Campbell wrote on this subject as follows:

Nothing is more demonstrable than that all true religion is founded upon the true knowledge of the true God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The polar star of all our researches into this subject are the words of the Messiah: “It is eternal life to know thee the only true God, and Jesus the Messiah thy Apostle.” If “without faith it be impossible to please God,” as true it is, without knowledge there can be no faith. “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard – of whom they know nothing?” “By the knowledge of him shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” “Now thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place . . . .”

Now as this true knowledge of the true God and our Saviour Jesus Christ is in the Bible, and in the Bible alone, those ignorant of that book cannot possibly enjoy this knowledge; and, not possessing it, they cannot possess the benefits which it communicates. So that we are by an insuperable necessity constrained to deny the possibility of true faith and true religion without the knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord – without the knowledge and belief of the gospel as written in the New Covenant of our Lord and Saviour. From all which the reference is irresistible that all religion founded not upon right conceptions of God and of his Son, is delusion – rank delusion, and must leave the heart under the dominion of its own corruptions .

. . . . It is then demonstrated that knowledge, or illumination, in the being, perfections, and glory of God, in the person, mission, and character of the Messiah, is, in all cases, preliminary to true faith – to rational belief – to any acceptable worship: in one word, to true religion (Alexander Campbell, “Religious Excitment,” Millennial Harbinger, 1840, pp. 166-167).

Knowledge of the word of God is essential for the personal salvation of every individual Christian and the continuance of the Lord’s church! One is not saved because of his physical relationship to someone who was a Christian; he is saved because of his personal faith in the word of God and obedience to it. Consequently, we can easily perceive our need to continually teach the word of God to our children and to personally study it for ourselves.

What Can I Do?

We can easily see that spiritual ignorance permeates our society. Our religious neighbors know very little about the word of God; indeed, some of those who claim to be Christians know little about the word of God. What can we do?

1. We can turn off the television. The hours which we spend in front of our televisions are consuming the time we have to serve God and study His word. The moral filth which we are piping into our homes cannot edify us; it can only destroy our morals. Consequently, we need to exercise enough personal discipline to order our lives to find time to study God’s word. To do that, we need to turn off the television.

2. We can teach our children the word of God. Gather your children around the kitchen table after supper and study God’s word with them. Tell them about Daniel, Joseph, David, Paul, and other men of strong faith. Acquaint them with the history of Israel.

3. We can personally feed our own spirits. We can take some time out of every day to study the word of God for our own benefit. Each of us has a need to feed his spirit the inspired word of God. The person who does not feed his spirit the word of God will soon lose what he formerly had in growth in the knowledge of the revelation of God.

4. We can attempt to teach others the word of God. Each of us knows someone who is not a Christian. We can talk to him about his soul, salvation, judgment, and moral righteousness. We can offer to conduct a home Bible study with him. By so doing, we will be obeying the Great Commission ourselves.

Conclusion

The word of God is the only guide we have to spiritual life. If we want to direct our children and ourselves to heaven, we are simply going to have to devote some time to learning the content of God’s word. Does eternal life mean enough to you to spend time learning the word of God?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, pp. 291-292
May 1, 1980

By Ron Halbrook

For the truth’s sake, the gospel of Jesus Christ must be proclaimed. Gospel means “good news,” and Jesus means “savior” (Matt. 1:21). The good news is that God has sent a Savior into the world to save us from our sins (Lk. 1:77; Matt. 26:28). When Jesus was ,born, angels announced “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people . . .

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Lk. 2:10-14). Early in His public work, Jesus read God’s prophecy through Isaiah: “. . . he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor . . . .” Jesus explained, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Lk. 4:16-21). To the poor of heart, meek of spirit, and humble of mind, Jesus Christ offered through Himself God’s grace in the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 5:3-12; 18:1-6; Jn. 14:1-6).

Why is this message good news?

1. Jesus Christ does for man what man cannot do for himself. “Sin entered the world” through Adam, but he is not the only sinner in history! “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” so that “one man’s disobedience” has been imitated again and again (Rom. 3:23; 5:12, 19). “Sin is the transgression of the law,” and one sin is enough to convict and condemn us as “transgressors” (1 Jn. 3:4; Ja. 2:9-10). When Jesus died for our sins, He made it possible for “the children of disobedience” to find forgiveness in God’s grace. “It is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:1-9; Isa. 53). Man cannot offer a record of perfection to God, for he stands before Him as a lawbreaker. What power does man have to remove or erase violations from his record before God? None. Only in Christ do “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).

2. Jesus Christ reveals the love of God. “God is love” and His love has been set forth clearly in the sacrifice of His Son for our sins. “herein is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 Jn. 4:8-10). When Jesus preached “the gospel to the poor,” He preached “the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk. 4:19). Though our sins separate us from God, He shows His love because in Christ Jesus “he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). When Christ returns, He will judge the world (Jn. 12:48; Acts 17:31). But first, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (Jn. 3:16-17). While God’s love is proclaimed in Jesus Christ, “Now is the accepted time . . . now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

The message is good for other reasons, too. But, each who hears must accept or reject Jesus Christ. His love calls for our love, “for the love, of Christ constraineth us”.. (2 Cor. 5:14). If we reject Him now, He will reject us “when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to- be admired in all them that believe” (2 Thess. 1:7-10). “For by grace are ye saved ,through faith” when we are “buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Eph. 2:8;. Col.’2:12). “They have not all obeyed the gospel” (Rom. 10:16), but will you accept and obey the Good Message?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, p. 290
May 1, 1980