Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

We look at the heroic deeds and epic accomplishments of God’s great and grand men of the past. We are thrilled and enthralled when we recall the mighty and majestic efforts of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Jonah – you finish your- own list of the names of the men of faith and courage who inspire you. Now, your mind is racing and picturing Paul and others in moments that grace the pages of sacred history. Are you not made to feel that you, too, could be one of those who could and would succeed in the work of the Lord during a fateful and historic time? Surely, you are!

Accordingly, we watch the sports heroes of the day as the news brings us word of their latest achievements. We bask in the glimmer of memories of men who were dead before many of us were born. We love to hear the stories of their finest hours. We can hear the crack of Babe Ruth’s bat. We can see Ty Cobb and Lou Gehrig, or Willie Mays, Stan Musial, and Hank Aaron! And what do we see? Why, we see their supreme efforts, their brilliance which will always illuminate the world of sports. Again, make your own list in your own favorite areas. Exciting, is it not?

But, now, come down to earth, to reality, to the often baneful, painful grind of day-to-day living. Yes, Noah built his ark and David met his Goliath, but these were moments out of a lifetime. So often we sit and dream of the “big event.” We will go to Nineveh! We will hit the big time by toppling the Goliath of our day and time, but we will not be bothered with the simple, mundane affairs of life. That is where we miss it. You see, David would never have approached Goliath had he not met the lion and the bear out there alone in the wilderness. Noah would never have built the ark had he not taken time to raise a devout family and live a godly life from day to day. While you rave about one of your sports heroes, he is presently sweating, forcing his mind and body to practice one more hour, to run one more mile. This fall and winter you will see him blaze into glory and the hall of fame, but his blaze would be a mere flicker if he were not suffering somewhere right now.

And that, my friend, is probably why many of us will never be sent to Nineveh. We are not teaching our friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers. So, who are we to invade the citadels of error? We are not bravely challenging the lion and the bear in local situations; so, who are we to rise up against the incredible hulk, Goliath? We are not taking the time to raise our own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; so, who are we to think that we should take charge of the construction of an ark? All these ancient worthies had to pay their dues in sacrifice. They paid the price. Remember, too, that when the big moment came, it was not seen as “my big chance” to “make good.” It was simply another confrontation. It became the “great event” after the fact. Surely, David had no idea, when as a ruddy, young lad he determined to defeat the “uncircumcised Philistine,” that his story would be told countless millions of times to thrill the hearts of all who hear it. That never entered his mind. He simply did what he felt he had to do at the time.

We will do as well; we will accomplish as much; we will be as great if we simply take up our cross daily and follow, Him. It is a; simple business of day-to-day living. Those who do it daily are the famous ones of tomorrow and the residents of heaven.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 15, p. 242
April 12, 1979

By Johnie Edwards

God expects his people to grow. Peter said, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). Again he said, “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . . .” (2 Pet. 3:18). Let’s notice some things about full-grown Christians.

(1) Grown Christians have convictions. Christians must not be as Paul said, “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). To have convictions is to be “grounded and sett4ed” (Col. 1:23). We must have our feet on the ground and know why we believe what we do.

(2) Full-grown Christians are faith contenders. Jude said, “. . . that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). We must be ready and able to stand up for the truth. We must know how to answer men concerning our hope.

(3) Christians put away childish things. Paul said, “when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11). We are admonished to “quit you like men. . .” (1 Cor. 16:13). This means to behave like a man! When members of the church pout and just have to have their own way, it is a good sign that they need to grow up.

(4) Full-grown Christians are strong. It is a command of God to be strong (1 Cor. 16:13). Paul said, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Eph. 6:10). One way to be strong is to eat the right kind of spiritual food (Matt. 4:4) and exercise ourselves unto godliness (Heb. 5:14).

(5) Full-grown Christians are Christ like. We are told to have the “mind of Christ” (Phil. 2:5-8). We have been told to “follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). We must continue to ask ourselves, “What would Christ do or what would he say?”

(6) Full-grown Christians have influence. Influence is either for good or bad. Christians have good influence! Their lights are shining for good (Matt. 5:16). Their lives are ordered after the New Testament way of life. Are you growing daily?

Truth Magazine XXIII: 14, p. 237
April 5, 1979

By Irvin Himmel

Differences, disputes, debates, and disagreements are common among men. Religious people hold to diverse views. Controversies arise over doctrinal positions. When discussions are conducted and conflicting issues are brought sharply into focus, some people may change their thinking, but in so many cases the differences are not really settled.

Sometimes when controversy rages over a long span of time, and there are strong feelings and reactions involved someone will remark, “I wish that issue could be settled.” A person may become rather frustrated over a cleavage that develops among brethren, and he asks, “Why can’t This whole matter be settled to the satisfaction of everyone?”

Invariably, following a public religious debate in which disputants have pressed their points and exposed each other’s arguments to careful analysis, a disappointed soul who does not really want to think for himself will go away with a bad taste toward such discussions. His observation will be, “That debate did not really settle anything.”

Certain questions and issues may never be settled to the satisfaction of a lot of people, but here is a fact worth remembering: Many things are settled so far as God is concerned. The Psalmist put the thought in these words: “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89).

The apostles of Jesus Christ preached the gospel”with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven” (1 Pet. 1:12). Jesus told them before sending them into all the world, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 18:18). The New American Standard Bible renders this verse as follows: “Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” What the apostles preached was already fixed and settled in the mind of God in heaven. The Holy Spirit revealed it to them. They preached heaven’s message, not some doctrine which originated in human reasoning.

The New Testament reveals the things that are settled in heaven for the people of this age. Consider a few of them.

(1) It is settled in heaven that the blood of Jesus saves. “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14). Jesus “loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5). “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

(2) It is settled in heaven that faith is indispensable. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). “For by grace are ye saved through faith . . .” (Eph. 2:8). The salvation of the soul depends on faith. Peter said, “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Pet. 1:9).

(3) It is settled in heaven that baptism is for the remission of sins. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ. Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26, 27).

(4) It is settled in heaven that baptism is a burial. Some people argue about whether baptism is sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. God settled that long ago for all who will follow His word. “Know ye now, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Rom. 6:3-5). “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” (Col. 2:12). For an example of baptism, read Acts 8:36-39.

(5) It is settled in heaven that Christians are to live righteously. Paul taught that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 1:12). John wrote, “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7).

(6) It is settled in heaven that it is possible for a child of God to fall away. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Heb. 3:12). “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2 Pet. 2:20).

Regardless of how unsettled we humans may be in our thinking, and no matter how many heated discussions we may have on certain subjects, the great truths revealed in the Bible are from God. Since the word of God is forever settled in heaven, it ought to be allowed to settle our disputes here on earth. If the infallible word teaches a certain point, that should be the end of all controversy on that point.

One who disputes something that is clearly taught in the Scriptures sets himself against God. How foolish is the individual who thinks he can alter or remove what is firmly fixed in the plan of God.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 14, pp. 236-237
April 5, 1979

By S. Leonard Tyler

A series of holidays is approaching, and for the most part we expect to enjoy and appreciate them. They afford the working class (which most of us are) a time for relaxation, recreation, visitation, or whatever. Everybody needs some time off from the regular routine of things to re-vitalize his mind and body. In fact, it is good that holidays come around once in a while for a vacation.

Man has right to set aside a day or week for a national holiday or season. He has the prerogative to dedicate it to some person or event worthy of national recognition. Man must also prescribe the law by which this is to be commemorated and all citizens, everything else being equal, have the privilege of sharing in the celebration. Holidays give relief, rest, recreation and needed vacations. We should use them wisely.

Holy Days

Man does not have the prerogative to establish Holy Days nor to make laws to govern divine appointments. This prerogative belongs only to God. Holiness is predicated of God and only through His divine appointments can anything be holy unto Him. Man can become holy only through complete commitment to God’s Will. If and when man speaks for God without instructions from God, he speaks presumptuously and usurps the authority of Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-2) to his own alienation from God (2 John 9). A presumptuous voice is and has always been denounced as fatal in the Bible (please read: Num. 15:30-31; Deut. 18:20; Ps. 19:13; Matt. 15:3, 9; 2 John 9:1; 1 Peter 4:11).

Christ is the absolute, all sufficient and only mouthpiece and mediator between God and men (Matt. 28:18; Heb. 1:2; 1 Tim. 2:5). His word is revealed in the New Testament (Heb. 7:12, 22:28, 8:6-13, 12:25). If the New Testament teaches it, it must be accepted regardless of any other voice (Acts 4:19-20, 5:19). If the New Testament does not authorize it, it must be rejected with the same determination and confidence. Notwithstanding, there are many religious festivals and holy days celebrated without Biblical authority. These are man made and traditionally bound but have no scriptural foundation (Matt. 15:3, 9). Any individual or group conforming to traditional practices and doctrines of men, should not even claim the Bible as their complete and only standard of measurement.

The Roman Catholic Church has established and celebrates many religious festivals and holy days. However, she does not accept the Bible as her complete authority. She boldly, blatantly and confidently refutes, denies and rejects the Bible as a sufficient and final guide. She vehemently denies that one can even understand what is revealed in the New Testament. The Roman Church must explain it and claims infallibility in so doing.

Mr. Richard Brennan translated Mr. L.C. Businger’s History of the Catholic Church with a sketch of the Church in America by John Gilmary Shea and on pages 101 and 102 he states,

“The seven most important festivals of our Lord are his Nativity, or Christmas Day; his Circumcision; his Manifestation to the Gentiles or Epiphany; his Resurrection or Easter Day; his Ascension into heaven; the Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost or Whitsunday, and the feast of his Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Altar, or Corpus Christi. Christmas was celebrated certainly as early as the year 140 (Think, the last apostle died about 95 A.D. SLT.), although at that time it was kept on the sixth of January, together with the festival of the three kings.”

He states that in 340 Pope Julius I, ordered a thorough research to establish a definite date and accepted December 25, 340. This was some 245 years after the death of the last apostle and the completing of the New Testament.

We might also note: Not a single one of these seven most important festivals are taught or were kept by Christians in the New Testament as the Roman Church prescribes and keeps them. Any doctrine coming from the Roman Catholic Church is just as human as coming from any other religious denomination. Human traditions and commandments are just as human coming from one human as they are coming from another human or any conclave of humans. The Roman Catholic Church assumes the prerogative and usurps the authority to speak just as authoritatively as the New Testament. Listen to their own questions and answers.

29. From whom alone can we know the true sense of Holy Scripture?

We can know the true sense of Holy Scriptures from the Church alone; because the Church alone cannot err in interpreting it.

30. May no one, then, presume to explain the Scripture contrary to the interpretation of the Catholic Church?

No; for this would be as if he understood the Scripture better than the Holy Ghost, who inspires the Church with the true meaning of it.

31. But is the meaning of the Holy Scriptures not clear in itself, and easy to be understood by every one?

No; for the Holy Scripture is a Divine and mysterious book .

32. Is it not, then, true that the Bible and Traditions, both infallibly interpreted by the Church, are the right Rule of Faith.

33. Is it enough to believe only those doctrines which are contained in the Holy Scriptures?

No; we must also believe Tradition – i.e., those revealed truths which the apostles preached, but did not commit to writing.

34. Can the Church also suppress holy days? As she has full power to institute holy days, so she has also a right to suppress them . . . (Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion, from the German of Jospeh Deharbe, S.J., pp. 79-80, 215).

The Roman Church tells what the apostles did not write and she also interprets what they wrote – And No Questions, Please! Yes, the Roman Church claims absolute authority over all people religiously. There is no wonder, to me why many in the Catholic Church are rebelling and hold strong aversions to the infallibility of the Church and its Pope.

The Roman Church can have whatsoever she wants. She calls the names and sets the standards by her own self-acclaimed but pseudo-right. You can only answer “Yes Sir,” and submit to her commands.

Holidays? Well and good, so long as they are used in right living for good.

Holy days? Never! Unless they are ordained and revealed in the New Testament.

Therefore one may keep a holiday as a holiday by visiting, giving gifts, eating turkey, hunting eggs, trick or treat, or whatever within reasonable bounds.

Holy days belong to the Lord and must be ordained by Him. If anything is ordained of God for His people, the New Testament must authorize it.

Paul wrote the Galatians, “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid ofyou, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain” (Gal. 4:10). It is one thing to keep certain days or eat certain foods for one’s own pleasure and fancy but essentially another to bind it upon the Lord’s church as a religious observance (Rom. 14:5-23).

Man needs faith sufficient to accept God’s appointments as all-sufficient and to observe them with his whole being, soul, and body, with complete confidennce and fulfilment. “Faith which worketh by love” is what counts with God (Gal. 5:6). Herein peace, unity, accomplishment, joy and salvation are all enjoyed without the disruption, division and heartache brought about through commandments and traditions of men (Matt. 15:3, 9; 1 Tim. 6:3-6). Herein is salvation’. What more can one expect? Religion is not for carnal, selfish fun and for frolic. It is to bind one back to God (2 Cor. 5:19; Eph. 2:16). Saving faith moves one to commit himself completely to God’s way with absolute confidence and contentment.

The first day of the week is fhe,Lord’s day (Rev. 1:10). The early disciples met, partook of the Lord’s supper, gave of their means, and worshipped .God (1 Cor. 11:23-31; Acts 20:; 1 Cor. 16:2). This is the/time, the first day of the week, that the Lord’s people met to commemorate the Lord’s death until he comes again (1 Cor. 11:26).

Why is not the Lord’s way /sufficient? Holy days belong unto the Lord. Man dare not invade the Lord’s prerogative to establish and bind holy days upon the Lord’s people (2 John 9). Man can make, design, and observe holidays but Holy days belong unto the Lord.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 14, pp. 234-235
April 5, 1979