Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

“For the truth’s sake,” every mouth should confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In Matthew 16:13-19, we have the record of Peter confessing Jesus Christ: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is the grandest truth of all the ages! It is the foundation, the very bedrock of truth upon which our salvation rests. Jesus said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” Peter was only a man, fallible, and subject to err; his name indicated that he was only “a stone” (Jn. 1:42). Peter, himself only a stone, had confessed the great bedrock which is the foundation of the Lord’s church. Men are to be saved in Christ, called into Him, and thus added to His church upon this solid foundation: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ” “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).

Not even the realm of death could stop Jesus from keeping his promise: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell (hades, realm of death) shall not prevail against it.” He arose from the dead, victorious over hades and death (Rev. 1:18). He then commissioned His apostles or royal ambassadors to proclaim the reign of the great King. The gates of His kingdom were to be opened wide by the preaching of the gospel. The apostles could not originate the message of truth of themselves but could only declare what was revealed to them from heaven. Jesus said, “Whatever you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (New American Standard Version). Not only Peter, but also all the other apostles were under the commission (see Matt. 18:18; Jn. 20:20-23).

After Jesus rose from the dead – proving Himself to be the Christ, the Son of the living God – He sent the apostles out preaching the truth which had been settled in heaven. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk 16:15-16). the ambassadors of the King were to preach one gospel in all the world: (1) he that believeth, and (2) is baptized,:-(3) shall be saved. The message was settled in heaven, revealed to the apostles, and could not be changed by men. Men might disbelieve and disobey, but the message of truth could not be changed. The message was not: (1) he that is sprinkled as an infant, (2) is saved, and (3) can believe when he is 12 years old at confirmation service. The message was not: (1) he that believeth, (2) is saved, and (3) shall be baptized to show that he was saved or in order to join the church of his choice. When men obeyed the gospel by obedient faith, they were saved in Christ and added to his church. This church stands upon the solid rock: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

The Roman Catholic theory says that Christ confessed Peter in Matthew 16. Did Christ confess Peter as the bedrock of truth? Is the church of Christ built upon a man who remains in the realm of death to this day? Was Jesus declaring Peter to be head of the church? Was Peter to be “Father” and “Bishop” of the whole church, the “Vicar of Christ” and very presence of God upon earth? No! A thousand times, no! Let us ever remember that Christ did not confess the primacy of Peter, but rather Peter confessed the primacy of Jesus Christ. Peter is not the foundation of the church, Christ is. Peter did not rise from the dead, Christ did. Peter did not sit on the throne, reigning over God’s people, Christ did. Peter was not crowned head of the church on earth, Christ was crowned head over all things to the church “in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23).

Truth Magazine XXIII: 36, p. 578
September 13, 1979

By Jack H. Kirby

In Gal. 5:16-21, the apostle Paul contrasts the works of the flesh (fornication, lasciviousness, drunkenness and such like) with the fruit of the Spirit. He says that those who practice these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Thus it would behoove us to know more about these things and just what they encompass, in order that we might not be guilty of that which would condemn our souls and cause us to miss heaven. Certainly no rational soul desires to spend eternity in Hell, so it should prompt us to do that which would save our souls and refrain from that which would condemn.

Our subject concerns uncleanness and lasciviousness. These two are related and we will discuss them together. By uncleanness the Lord had reference to our spirits, not our fleshly bodies.

Let us define lasciviousness. This is a rather large word and is not understood by many people. Lasciviousness means, “Wanton, lewd, lustful, tending to excite lewd or wanton thoughts or emotions, as objects or pictures; filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females. ” These definitions are from Webster’s and Winston’s English Dictionary and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon. Can you not begin to see involved in this definition such things as lewd and lustful literature, books and such like? And yet many Christians buy and read these things.

Can you not see so-called sexy picture shows condemned here! And yet our newspapers are full of the ads for these movies showing nude women and men, passionate love scenes and, more often than not, intimate bed-room scenes. The movie industry continues to produce these pictures because people will buy tickets to see them.

Can you not see that all dirty, filthy jokes are condemned here? Yet many times people who take active parts in churches are heard telling filthy, dirty tales, so-called jokes. They say, “Let’s be broad minded.” The Bible says they will not inherit the kingdom of God; their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8).

Can you not see the modern dance condemned in the definition of lasciviousness? The definition includes “indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females.” What could be more descriptive of the dance? Yet, in spite of the warning that those who practice such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, many who profess to follow Christ dance, and think nothing of it.

Can you not see that indecent and immoral apparel is condemned here; The wearing of low cut dresses, plunging neck lines, tight fitting dresses or pants, mini-skirts, hot pants, bikini bathing suits, etc. Surely these things excite and produce lewd and lustful thoughts in men and boys. In spite of the repeated Bible warnings, mothers who claim to be Christians will dress their daughters in these types of clothing or allow them to do so, even in so many cases wearing this type themselves. Then, they wonder why the daughter sometimes does things she should not and gets into trouble. What can they expect if they openly advertise their wares by exposing those parts of the body that make the boys lust after them? And, in most cases, the Mothers who allow their daughters to wear short shorts and halters have not even prepared the daughter’s minds for what will ultimately result by frankly discussing these facts of life with their daughters. Yes, this is plain talk, but in view of Bible teaching we need this kind of teaching multiplied many times over.

The Apostle Paul commanded in 1 Tim. 2:9, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel. You ask, “What is modest apparel? Grandma wore her dress to her ankles and wrists. Must I?” No, we would not attempt to teach that the Bible requires this, but we can perhaps better understand modesty by looking at immodesty. Now if short shorts and halters are modest, how much shorter could the shorts be cut or how much lower could the halter be worn and be still modest? I have asked that question many times without an attempted answer. Some of these low cut dresses are so low and skirts so short, you don’t know whether the woman is in them too far or not far enough. No, I am persuaded these people know what modest apparel is; the trouble is they either do not realize that they are causing others to sin as well as themselves, or they simply do not care.

The Bible teaches that one individual can cause another to sin. The apostle wrote in 1 Cor. 8:11, “For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.” Again in Matt. 18:7, “Woe to that man through whom occasions of stumbling comes.” In Matt. 5:32, “Everyone that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, making her an adulterous.” So it is evident that one person can be the cause of someone else sinning.

In Matt. 5:28, Jesus said, “Everyone that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. The woman who parades her almost nude body on our streets, on her lawn, or in the stores around town, may think she has done no wrong. But if her indecent dress excites lewd thoughts in men and boys, she has done wrong and will stand condemned by this sin unless she repents and stops such indecency. How can she know when she has caused someone to have impure thoughts? She cannot know. This is the reason she must dress properly at all times in public.

Yes, modest apparel is required by the Lord. But usually when someone teaches a lesson along these lines, someone objects by saying that only those object whose mind is in the gutter. Would you accuse the Lord of having His mind in the gutter? He is the one who has legislated against such immodest dress.

The sin of lasciviousness led to King David’s demise and has led to many, many others since. Bathsheba was bathing in a place so public that David saw her and committed several grievous sins. James tells us that “every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed- Then when lust hath conceived- it bringeth forth death” (3a3. 1:14, 15). Only the judgment will reveal how much sin is a result of near-naked women parading the streets. Just as Bathsheba was not innocent in the sin of David, neither is the woman innocent today who deliberately exposes her body to the gaze of the world already wild with passion. The woman who appears in public half-dressed is walking in rebellion and in open opposition to God and His Word. Christian women will not so act.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 35, pp. 573-574
September 6, 1979

By Bruce James

In a parable of the wicked husbandmen, Jesus told how the wicked husbandmen wounded and mistreated the servants that the Master sent to them, and how in the end they killed the Master’s son. In this parable Jesus is clearly foretelling what He knew would happen to Himself and the destruction of the evildoers. At the end of the parable, He says that this would be a fulfillment of the prophecy: “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes” (Mark 12:10, 11; Matt. 21:42). It is clear that Jesus was applying the Old Testament quotation to Himself.

But Jesus is not the only one that refers to Old Testament prophecy as Jesus being the Living Stone. Pete makes reference to the same text and applies it to Jesus by the Jews (Rom. 9:32, 33). In Eph. 2:20, Paul uses the Stone in a different way when he refers to the new way of life for Christians. In fact, the idea of Jesus as the stone is spread all over the New Testament in giving another view of Jesus. But all of these references go back to the Old Testament, and there are at least four Old Testament passages involved: Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14; 28:16 Daniel 2:31-35. In these Scriptures, we have four stone ideas. There is the idea of the stone first rejected and then honored, the idea of the stone which can either be a sanctuary or a hindrance, the idea of the stone which is the sure foundation, and the idea of the stone which invades the earth and establishes His kingdom.

However, would we not be missing the real message for ourselves if we failed to see the beauty and the grandeur of this Living and Precious Stone? While things on this earth are like the sand – fleeting and uncertain – Jesus is a Stone, an expression of strength, as He so demonstrated over nature, disease, death and devils. He is not like the hay or straw or stubble. He is firm and enduring; He is a rock, the Rock of Ages. While the marble of Babylon, Nineveh and Rome are dead and gone, Jesus is a living stone. He is the source of life and He is not like a “pet rock” for he knows our feelings and is alive to all of our circumstances in life.

As I see Jesus in this metaphorical presentation of strength and beauty, I am caused to wonder, why did the Jews reject Him? It was not due to a lack of evidence for He was described perfectly in prophetic language. I believe that at the root of their rejection was pride. He did not ap-. pear as they desired. He did not preach as they desired. And He did not promise as they desired. Therefore, they would not allow Him or approve of Him. And, dear reader, this is the same reason he is rejected today. The world does not want His character, His gospel, nor His promises. All that seems to matter to the world is the glory and power in the here and now.

Friends, God was pleased with this living Stone. He finished His work and was raised from the dead. Everything about this living Stone is precious to God: His name – God exalted it above every name; His doctrine “Hear ye him”; His sacrifices; and His person – “Let all the angels of God Worship Him” and “Sit thou on my right hand.”

So, in conclusion, this idea of the Stone has become great in its meaning. Jesus was rejected but to Him belongs the final glory. Jesus alone can hold the kingdom together in unity. What is this Stone to you, a stumbling-block or a refuge? “Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. “

Truth Magazine XXIII: 35, p. 572
September 6, 1979

By W. P. Risener

The singing we do in worship to God deserves the same thought and attention that we occasionally give to others aspects of our worship. We wish to notice a few things, some of faith and other in which we make suggestions.

Many do not sing who could. Perhaps they are influenced by human churches where choirs do the singing and others are entertained. “Teaching and admonishing one another” (Col. 3:16), prohibits choirs, and passiveness by other worshipers. This, along with “singing,” also prohibits humming softly by some while others sing. If you are concerned about how you look with your mouth open, remember the Lord looks on the heart, and you are not singing to be seen of men. So open up and sing: You may like it and please the Lord besides.

Certain mood makers have recently sought to manipulate the singing, along with lighting effects, to help them get in the spirit. This is not a new need. The large, medieval cathedrals were built by those whose spirits also flagged at simple worship. Be content to worship sincerely “in spirit and in truth,” “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” If you do this, you will have the mood just right.

Since we are not performing a Mozart masterpiece, there is some room for latitude in pitch (how high or low to sing), and in tempo (how fast or slow to sing). The tendency is to get songs too low in pitch. The man who never made a mistake was not a song leader, but practice should help even if it does not make perfect. If you really need to stop and start over, go ahead and do so. And if you have to get the pitch from a fork or pipe, or from another person, I suggest that you do this too. A little thought should help you with the speed. You would not want to drag a song like, “I Want to be a Worker for The Lord,” nor speed away on, “Abide With Me.”

The singing will suffer if you speed up and slow down without reason while leading a song, because the singers will have to listen along to see where you are. They need to have a feeling of security so they can “jar down” and know they will still be with you. Do not let a few draggers drag you and the singing down even if you have to tune them out in order to keep your speed. Many song leaders think they should speed up a little when 3/4 time changes to 4/4 time, like at the chorus of the song, “Take My Hand and Lead Me.” This is not the case. Continue your same tempo.

Writing songs is hard, profitless work. My respect for song writers will not allow me to take gross liberties with their songs, such as singing them in 6/4 time if they were written in 4/4 time. Occasionally a particular song, perhaps an invitation song, will go especially well with a sermon. But the practice of matching song to service can be run into the ground.

The worship service is not a good time for a musical workout. If you lead a difficult song in fast tempo, a lot of worshipers will give up after a short struggle. Let them be comfortable without being at ease in Zion. Some leaders pick the gospel meeting to spring new songs on the congregation, even the song at the end of the sermon. If you do this, try to be close to the exit when you shake hands with the preacher.

There are some places, like at the end of some songs, where some are to hold a note its full length while others have some more words to sing. These singers, many times the alto and tenor parts, do not like to sing after everybody else has quit, especially if the leader starts another verse before they can get through. So hang in there and do not leave them out on a limb, up in the air. I would not use a song in the worship, such as one written as an alto-tenor duet, unless all the worshipers could sing it together. Since all are to worship in song, even in long passages where some of the parts are omitted, it is better for all to join in and sing the written parts than to sit and be serenaded.

There is a crying need for “truth,” as well as “spirit” in singing even the songs edited by faithful brethren. For instance, there is a popular song that tells of sinners lingering on the brink of woe. The singers say they can not bear to let them go. And so they plead with the Lord to send us as He did the prophet of old? Is it the Lord’s fault that we are doing so little to reach the lost, because He will not give us that special, denominational concept of calling and sending? Other songs tell how we are ready to suffer grief and pain, go over mountains and stormy seas and, Oh, how I love Jesus. Brethren, let’s be careful and truthful in our singing unto God.

People tell me, I would give anything to be able to read music. Well, just give me a thousand dollars and a little time and effort. No, you do not have to be professional in order to worship. But if you had rather improve your singing than watch T.V. all the time you can do it. With but little time and effort you can learn the rudiments, and then you get out what you put into it. But you cannot bottle up and spoonfeed the ability to read music to someone on the spur of the moment. I have known people who could hardly read, but who enjoyed getting together and singing, who could read music quite well. It ought to rebuke us until our cheeks blush with shame, that worldly minded rowdies may freely get together to coarsely and raucously best one another in a game of chance or skill, while Christians must remain in seclusion, barricaded in their gloomy castles trying to out stare the bright faced monster. No wonder we cannot do anything. When are we going to say, “I’ve had enough,” and really mean it?

My earnest and urgent desire is to help and not hurt the cause of Jesus. These few thoughts are written to help and encourage us to worship in spirit and truth in song.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 35, p. 571
September 6, 1979