Truth Magazine

By Guthrie D. Dean

Authority refers to “the power or right to act or command.” Ethics has reference to “a set of moral principles or values; the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group.” The chief priests and elders of the people came to Jesus and asked Him, “By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?”(1) Though they themselves may not have been honest at heart, at least they recognized two things: (1) the need for religious authority; and (2) the fact that such authority must come from the proper source. Jesus, of course, taught by the authority granted to Him from the Father. The will of God, as revealed in the Bible, is our authority in doctrine and practice. It serves as the Christian’s guide in dealing with human conduct. As Paul said to Timothy, “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”(2)

The Bible Is Authoritative

In every situation we should learn to answer these Bible questions: “What saith the scripture?”, “How readest thou?”, and “What is written?” Paul tells us that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all goods works.(3) Peter writes, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”(4)

We can realize how authoritative His word is from the fact. that it will serve as the criterion by which we will be judged in the last day. Jesus stated, “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”(5) The apostle Paul speaks of the judgment as “the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”(6) (Paul’s gospel, of course, was the gospel of Christ). At the opening of the books in Rev. 20, the dead are judged out of those things which are written in the books, according to their works.(7)

Though the standards of men may change; and though the presumptuous may “call evil good, and good evil,” and “put darkness for light, and light for darkness,”(8) the word of the Lord is settled forever, in heaven.(9) It is the rule by which we are to live; for it will definitely be the standard by which we are to be judged.

The Bible Offers A Pattern For Human Conduct

It offers clear principles to help the Christians make decisions in all areas of conduct. Gambling, for instance, is not dealt with per se; but there are principles which relate to the saint’s action in such matters. Abortion may not be specifically dealt with; but the principles which require chaste behavior will take care of the problem before it arises. And the sacredness of life is upheld throughout the Scripture. The New Testament is not designed to be a Book of “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots”; but there are no circumstances that we face which are not covered therein. The Bible offers a clear voice, and throws light on a straight path. It contains “present truth” for “such a time as this.” We are told that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men; “teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”(10) And note again, what Peter wrote; “according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”(11)

The world about us makes little effort to follow the principles of the word of God, and many even scoff at its authority. But the Christian has no other alternative but to submit to the Lord. If we reject His standard, we are in the same position that Simon Peter was when he asked: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”(12) In matters pertaining to our morals, we must subscribe to the will of God. As the apostles, under fire, remarked, “we ought to obey God rather than men.”(13) We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds.(14) We are admonished, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”(15) We should continue to look up; and keep our eyes on Jesus. In this world of sin and lawlessness, the outlook may be dark; but the up-look is always bright.

The World Rebels At Divine Authority

The sinful world has always condoned such practices as dancing, immodest apparel, profanity, gambling, sexual immorality, and the use of alcohol. This is why godly parents have a continuing responsibility to train their children in the way of the Lord. This is why all of God’s people are to watch and pray. That which is accepted by the world becomes a double-threat to the saint. Young people, especially, do not want to be “different” from their peers. So the challenge to “come out and be separate” becomes even greater as more and more vices are made legal by man’s laws, and become “respectable” in the eyes of society.

Abortion, drug-abuse, pornography, fornication, adultery, and homosexuality are being legalized by a godless generation. As more sins are sanctioned and made legal, the bigger the problem becomes for our country, for the average law-abiding citizen, and for all God-fearing people who are but strangers in a hostile world. But faithful Christians will continue to swim up-stream; even though the rest of civilization may be rushing headlong into the sea of destruction.

Man may be smart enough to split the atom, invent all sorts of gadgets, fly backwards, and walk on the surface of the moon; but he has not authority to legalize sin and speak for God! Philosophers; sociologists; authors; scientists; psychologists; psychiatrists; denominational theologians; legislators; government officials; school teachers; college professors; special interest groups; Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Broadway entertainers; the television and other mass medias must not be allowed to become the Christian’s standard and authority in ethics! They cannot and they do not speak for me. Like Joshua of old, I say, “As for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.”(16)

This Is No Time For Compromise

Whatever we do in word or deed we are to do all in the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ.(17) Only His truth will make men free.(18) And the truth is the word of the Lord.(19) (As we go forth with the truth we can afford to give no quarters to sin; yet we must continue to show patience and compassion toward the sinner. After all, our service and our worship, must always be governed by two divine principles: spirit and truth(20)).

But this is no time for the trumpet to give an uncertain sound. This is no age for fence-straddling on matters affecting our morals and spiritual welfare. Today we certainly do not need soft preaching and compromise. And it is no time for silence on moral issues.

“I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.”(21) God made this statement to Ezekiel when Israel was being torn asunder by idolatry and immorality. It was during the period when the religious leaders had violated God’s laws, and were putting no difference between the holy and the profane, between the unclean and the clean.(22)God’s law in every age has been set up to distinguish between things that differ, and approve of that which is excellent.(23) When that same prophet (Ezekiel) foretold the return of Israel from captivity, he recorded this admonition: “And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.”(24) God’s word does that for us today; and we dare not compromise its truths. It is high time for all Christians to unsheath the sword of the Spirit and move forward with the fight against moral decay. You are to “cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”(25) Let us always remember that “the battle is the Lord’s.”(26) And if God be for us, who can be against us.(27)

QUESTIONS

1. What two things do we learn about authority from Matthew 21:23?
2. What do we mean by “ethics” in this study?
3. How can we know that the Bible is our standard of authority?
4. Give some New Testament verses which show God’s teaching regarding human conduct?
5. Discuss some of the ways in which the world has rebelled against Bible principles of morality.
6. How were the sinful people of Ezekiel’s time blurring the divine principles of proper conduct? See Ezekiel 22:26 and 44:23.
7. Name the two divine principles by which our service and worship are to be governed. Define these. See John 4:23-24.
8. In what ways are Isa. 5:20 and Ezek. 22:26 being repeated in history today?
9. Name some influences in the world which must not become the Christian’js authority in ethics?
10. Compare the various translations of Phil. 1:10 and explain how this verse is applicable to this study on authority.

Endnotes:

1. Matt. 21:23.

2. 1 Tim. 3:15.

3. 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

4. 2 Pet. 1:3.

5. John 12:48.

6. Rom. 2:16.

7. Rev. 20:12.

8. Isa. 5:20.

9. Psa. 119:89.

10. Titus 2:11-12.

11. Matt. 21:23.

12. John 6:68.

13. Acts 5:29.

14. Rom. 2:12..

15. Col. 3:1-3.

16. Josh. 24:15 R.V.

17. Col. 3:17.

18. John 8:32.

19. John 17:17.

20. John 4:23-24.

21. Ezek. 33:7.

22. Ezek. 22:26.

23. Phil. 1:10.

24. Ezek. 44:23.

25. Isa. 58:1.

26. 1 Sam. 17:47.

27. Rom. 8:31.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 20, pp. 323-325
May 17, 1979

By Mike Willis

I am delighted to present the material in the following special issues of Truth Magazine to our subscribers. The subject matter is relevant; we are living in an age of moral crisis and need material prepared to help us teach our children the truth of God’s word relative to a number of important subjects. Hence, this special series of issues is designed to teach the truth regarding Abstain From Every Form of Evil.

The material is designed to be used for classroom study as well as for the personal reading of individuals. It is my hope that this material will be so well received that it will be considered appropriate material for Bible classes for young people and adults alike. I know that the material speaks to pertinent issues which face us today; I know that the writers have done their homework well; I know that the material needs to be circulated. It is my prayer that this collection of material will be used by brethren for many years to come.

Given below is a list of subjects and authors for these coming issues:

Dancing: Marshall Patton

Smoking: Doctor Curtis Torno

Drugs: Dr. James McCain

Marijuana: Keith Clayton

Fornication and Adultery: Tom O’Neal

Living In Adultery: J.T. Smith

Abortion: Bob Buchanan

Pornography: Dennis Abernathy

Shoplifting: Jerry Parks

Profanity: Earl E. Robertson

Immodest Dress: David Tant

Mixed Swimming: Ron Halbrook

The Basis of Christian Ethics: Norman Midgette

Situation Ethics: Weldon Warnock

The Authority of the Bible in Ethics: Gutherie Dean

Respectable Worldliness: Hiram Hutto

Gambling: Larry Halley

Gospel Preachers Cannot Compromise With Worldliness: Mike Willis

I want to personally express appreciation to each of our authors for working with me in producing this material and getting it together in time for this publication, date. They have generally been very attentive to deadlines. Too, the labor which they did to make this excellent material will be apparent to all.

I want to also express appreciation to Miss Brenda Preuitt of Nashville, Tennessee for her labor in producing our cover. Miss Preuitt is not only known for her artistic abilities, but more especially for her faith in God. I want to publicly express appreciation for her labor as well.

And now, I commend to you the following pages of Truth Magazine for your careful study and prayerful consideration. I think that you will agree-that it is worthy of both. If you like this kind of material being printed regularly, you can express your appreciation by helping us to circulate this material. This material will most probably be available in booklet form later this year; recommend that the congregation where you worship use it in their Bible classes. Too, this kind of material can be circulated by recommending Truth Magazine to your friends. Help us to increase the circulation of the paper in order that this kind of material can be disseminated more extensively. Can you personally send the paper to ten of your friends for a mere $7.50 per month? Can you send it to twenty of your friends for $15.00 per month? If so, please help us. If you can do nothing more than this, please send it to one of your friends for $10.00. Your help in increasing the circulation of the paper is a means of helping others study pertinent material extracted from God’s word.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 20, p. 322
May 17, 1979

By William C. Sexton

The Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles, especially Paul, all had to deal with unpleasant situations in the affairs of man and his society. The same is true today of His disciples, and such awareness is essential to the success of His people. Sin comes in various packages and with various labels. The child-of-God’s duty is to unpackage, identify and expose sinful practices as the truth of God’s word reveals.

Paul went to Rome, sending a message before him, conveying his purpose, his position in God’s scheme, and his view of the present condition in which he found himself and others. To understand and appreciate the specifics of Paul in this letter to the Romans, we must share his vision and view of the whole. The gospel was and is the power of God to save all humanity, because therein is the plan of God made known, revealed! The condition is designated “by faith,” and it is designed and delivered to produce faith, an active faith. This necessitates that he show the need of salvation for all classes: Jews and Gentiles! Consequently, he points to the Gentiles as having the need, because they had rejected the opportunity provided them, willfully turning from it. He pursues their downward degenerating conduct to the degradation of their minds and bodies to the depth of depravity which ought to sicken the hearts and souls of all observers (Rom. 1:18-32).

He points to the various sins which were committed by them. Among the various sinful practices, all of which are disgraceful, is the one that we wish to deal with in this article: Homosexuality. Read and re-read (1:16-32) and then turn and read (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Then in this long list of the most corrupt conduct, single out this one and consider it for a while.

This sin is described in such terms as to show God’s view of it; its destructive nature to the participants, and the shameful nature of the society wherein it can be practiced with approval are described. We challenge our thinking relative to the very degeneracy which leads one to practice it, the dishonor involved in it, and the distance the disciples of the Lord must keep from it-proper attitude and action toward those who practice it. After a close view of the sinful practice, we then call for an honest and noble response to the persons involved in it.

Its Degeneracy

It is a move away from what one was created to do, it is a downward, falling, sinking below a normal state. God created male and female (Gen. 1:27; 2:17-24). He did not create them: Male-Male. Neither did he create them: Female-Female. He did not create them: Man-Beast. Therefore, we need to see that activity of a sexual nature other than the two person-male and female joined together in marriage approved by God and man-is unnatural, unscriptural, and unsatisfying on a lasting basis.

I. Un-Natural:

A. Homo-sexuality.

B. Beast-human-sexual-activity.

II. Natural: Hereto-sexuality.

III. Un-approved and consequently unsatisfying:

A. Pre-marital sexual-activity.

B. Extra-marital sexual-activity.

Living together in marriage, sexuality is allowed, approved of God and sanctioned by decent social morals. It is productive in reproduction and healthy to the participants and beautiful, contributing to the well-being of members of the human family. Yet, outside that relationship, the offsprings produced by such are dangered, no real provision can be made for such; guilt is in the mind and heart of those engaged destroys the immediate pleasure of all such activity by those decent people; and those who do not sense a feeling of guilt in such activity are past recovering. Such activity is the subject of jokes, degrading behavior, etc., but it is the ruin of character, hope, and aspiration for many. We need to see it in its real color, total and lasting effects, and subtle deceptions.

Homosexual activity is the most degrading of all unnatural acts (cf. Rom. 1:26). First it is changing the natural use into that which is “against nature”! Such is called “vile affections,” meaning dishonorable passion: Women with women (v. 26) and men with men (v. 27)! Men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust toward one another-men with men working that which is unseemly!

They are said to be receiving in themselves that “recompense” of their error which is meet! That is a strong and serious statement. This is the downward march of behavior-reaping, as it were, according to what they have sown, but more! Beloved, one cannot simply act in this regard and continue to be “normal” and stable. You will be progressing into degradation.

The evil practice was wide-spread in the city of Sodom (Gen. 19:4-7). Acts are called “sodomy,” after the city known for it long ago. Sodomites are spoken of in various places, but always condemned by God (cf. Deut. 23:17). Such was found among the false worshippers (1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46; 2 Kings 23:7). Such is called defilement (Lev. 18:22; 20:13).

Notice what happened to Lot and his family in that city, (2 Pet. 1:6-8; Gen. 19:15-26). He had “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:12-13). He was thinking about the gain of material worth; he lost his family, all but two daughters. Friends, that type of society and community surely will vex the spirit of all righteous persons, as such did Lot long ago (2 Pet. 2:7-8). May all recognize the “filthy conversation of the wicked” in all such practice, and cry out against it as long and loudly as possible.

Its Destructive Nature

I certainly do not claim to know all the factors that go into making a person engage in homosexual activity. As with all sinful activity, I know that I must love the participant while I hate the “false way” and consequences of his practice. Yet, I know at least one thing about the behavior: It is learned! One is not born with it, practicing such. Also, to approve and encourage such is to harm rather than help the person; approval is produced either by a lack of understanding or concern for the person’s eternal and immediate well-being. I have read many stories of people who practiced such, and I have yet to find one that is welladjusted in other aspects of life and conduct who practices homosexuality. The person involved knows that such is considered to be “abnormal” by the majority of the people in society. Also, I feel, that most of them actually recognize that such is an abuse of the body-theirs as well as the other person engaged.

The thing that troubles me most, however, is that their soul will be lost (1 Cor. 6:9-11). It is plainly stated, and if one accepts the Bible as stating the truth, there is just no way they can get around the plain, simple, emphatic statement!

The Disciple’s Distance From Those Who Engage in Such

God so loved the world-meaning the wicked and lost people-that He gave His only begotten Son to die that all who would come to Him could and would be saved (Jn. 3:16). This demonstrates the attitude that the disciples of Christ must have toward this person as well as all other sinners (1 Pet. 2:21f). We must love the person as we love our self (Mt. 22:37-40). We cannot lose sight of that fact, but we must keep our senses and affections clear from distortion, which some evidently are not doing!

God and His Son demonstrated love-both in a positive and a restraining way. Jesus came to save from their sins, not in them (Mt. 1:21). To leave man wallowing in the corrupt practices of falling humanity would actually do him no good at all. But to lift him up and forgive him and motivate him to clean up his life, demonstrated power and wisdom and sanctification such is the essence of the Word of God.

Many people saturated with the wisdom of this world, claiming to be born by the spirit of God, proclaiming an abundance of humility, fail to see the restraining aspect of Jesus’ love. The scriptures say: “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). That means that the disciple cleansed from his corrupt past by the blood of Christ must keep his distance. No, the passages are not speaking specifically of homosexual behavior, but they are speaking relative to all un-scriptural behavior; such is the work of darkness!

Friends, to give an alcoholic more liquor is not a sign of love and care; telling a sick person that they are not sick and, thus, are not in need of medical help is no sign of understanding and a brotherly atttitude; giving a drug addict what he wants is not helping him. A real friend is one who will tell you what is wrong and help him get what he really needs. This is the case relative to love, understanding, and concern for the homosexual person. Let us be enlightened by God’s word, moved by our concern to help the sinner, and willing to go to them and try to lead them to the Lord. Let us not be so repulsed by this behavior that we will judge them as untouchables, because some who were of such character did respond to the preaching of the gospel (1 Cor. 6:11, 9-10).

Yes, beloved, homosexual behavior is repugnant, very distasteful to me. I am convinced that it is such to the Lord. Yet, there is a remedy: (1) for people to know the un-naturalness of the act and to accept the Lord’s declaration of the same; (2) for all to know that the Lord is able to lift one out of his fallen state and give him a new start and provide the fuel by which energy can be generated to keep him moving toward heaven all the days of his life. This message must be understood, believed and told. Are you accepting? Activated? Many souls may depend on it, including ours.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 19, pp. 316-317
May 10, 1979

By Johnie Edwards

On November 11, 1978, we were invited to hear a group of men speak on “Inspiration and Authority of the Bible,” “The Creation Account of Genesis 1 and 2,” “The Virgin Birth of Christ,” “Mechanical Music in N.T. Worship,” and “Fellowship with Denominations.” David Bobo commented on each speech and questioned each speaker.

As I sat along with Bob Buchanon, Harry Lewis, John McCort and L.A. Stauffer and listened to the speeches, a number of things ran through my mind.

(1) Sowing the Wind. Israel of long ago was told by the prophet Hosea, “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind . . .” (Hos. 8:7). The very seeds of the modernistic views told the Bible as held by David Bobo were sown by many of our liberal-minded brethren. Through the years, they have said there is no pattern for the work of the church. The seeds of apostasy were sown when men taught that we can pool church funds into a centralized organization to do the work of the church. Sometimes the centralization was done with an eldership who had a sponsoring work greater than they could pay for. Some have taught the church can turn its funds over to a benevolent society, like an orphan home to do their work of relieving the needy. There is no more scriptural authority for these kind of things as for the views held by David Bobo.

(2) The Social Gospel Concept. Making the church a playhouse with recreation and entertainment centers, the bus ministry with reward motivations and the like, have caused some to travel further down the road to apostasy than others. You see, if we can go beyond the Bible teaching in one or two areas, what will stop one from going as far as David Bobo? There is really no stopping place. It is like the apostle Paul said, “. . . for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7).

(3) Why Not Instrumental Music? Evidently David Bobo sees nothing unscriptural with using instrumental music in worship. We heard a good speech on how unscriptural it is to use instrumental music in worship. Instrumental music in worship is wrong because there is no pattern for it in the Word of God. If brethren would apply the same principles to other areas of Bible teaching as they have on instrumental music it would do away with many of the things which divide brethren today. There is no scriptural authority for instrumental music in worship, therefore, it is sinful. Neither is there any scriptural authority for the Herald of Truth arrangement, church support of orphan homes, schools in the budget and church fellowship halls.

If we do not want to have problems in getting people to accept what the Bible teaches in regards to Inspiration, The Creation, Instrumental Music in Worship, and Fellowship with Denominations, we must declare the whole council of God on every subject.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 19, p. 315
May 10, 1979