Truth Magazine

By Earl Robertson

What was the nature and character of the government of the early church? Was that government universal or local? Was it diocesan and hierarchical in function? These questions must be considered in a discussion of church organization.

Christ “is the head of the body, the church” and is, therefore, the One to whom every member must submit (Col. 1:18). However, in the early church we read that under divine guidance they “ordained them elders in every church” (Acts 14:23). This reveals clearly that each congregation had the same need for government. These churches had only recently been established and Paul was returning to Antioch to report what God had done with them. On the return trip they visited these churches and at this time ordained elders in every church.

The fact that each church had elders not only emphasizes mutual local need but it also restricts the oversight of local government. Peter says, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof . . .” (1 Pet. 5:2). In this, the apostle names the realm of oversight: “among you.” This nominative and the participle “taking the oversight thereof” makes definite the flock for which those elders were responsible. These congregations, like the one at Philippi, had “saints . . . with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). Early church government was not diocesan or hierarchical; it was local-limited to one congregation. The early churches were not tied together in government; they each were independent and autonomous. They functioned without outside control or interference!

This is the way it was then! But, like so many other things, some churches seemingly no longer believe this because, they do not practice it. Often we see one church (the elders) running the affairs of another congregation. Whether this sinful action is within the same city, county, state, or nation is immaterial. The fact that the actions of one eldership are limited to that one congregation of which they are members makes all Bible students know that they cannot exercise oversight within another congregation. Yet, some audaciously run the affairs of other churches-especially if they are giving support to a man to preach at that other congregation. The Bible makes plain that each eldership is limited in its oversight. Popish behavior among elders God condemns and brethren should say so!

Truth Magazine XXIII: 14, p. 231
April 5, 1979

By Ron Halbrook

The way to keep the church pure and true to the New Testament is to keep Christians informed. In October, 1959, the following series was preached at the Franklin Road Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee: “Give Us a King” by Harris J. Dark, “Contending for the Faith” and “The Organization of the Church” by Charles M. Campbell, “Speaking As the Oracles of God” by Irven Lee, “The All-Sufficiency of the Bible” by E.L. Flannery, “Divisions, Who Is Responsible?” by James P. Miller, “According to the Pattern” by Stanley J. Lovett, “Church Cooperation” by Cecil B. Douthitt, “The Glorious Church and Its Purpose” by Curtis Porter, “The Care of the Needy” by Herschel Patton, “The Individual Christian’s Responsibility” by Bennie Lee Fudge, and “When Should One Change?” by James A. Allen. The result of such teaching is that Franklin Road does its own work to this day without donating its funds to benevolent societies, colleges, and corporations which build apartment complexes. Reading these lessons as a teenager helped me greatly and I am glad to see that they are back in print (published by Norris Book Company of Russellville, Alabama and available through Truth Magazine Bookstore, Box 403, Marion, Indiana 46952).

In an age of immorality, much of it defended by preachers of situation ethics, sound teaching is needed on the home in God’s plan. Several of the preachers named above have gone to their reward, but Brother Irven Lee and his good wife are continuing to labor on earth in behalf of the eternal gospel. The Knollwood Church of Christ of Xenia, Ohio believes that gospel preaching purifies the souls and lives of people. On the call-in radio program paid for by the church, Brother Lee was interviewed 26 November, 1978 regarding what the Bible says about the home and family, then the audience was invited to ask questions. From 29 November through 3 December Brother Lee spoke at Knollwood on “Problems Young People Face,” “Unwanted Children,” “The Woman’s Liberation Movement and Other Sinister Forces That Would Destroy the Home,” “Why Are There So Many Divorces?”, “I Am Bored! What Can We Do?”, and “Man’s Place in the Home.” On the same days Sister Lee taught a morning class for women on “A Good Foundation,” “Partners in Marriage,” “Accepting Parenthood,” “Parents and Teenagers,” and “The Broken Home.” Dozens of copies of Brother Lee’s 205 page book on Good Homes in a Wicked World and tract on Preparation for Marriage were distributed to those who attended these lessons. (His 196-page Preaching in a Changing World and tracts Do All Roads Lead to Heaven? and Friendly Letter on Benevolence are also excellent, as are her books Stories About Jesus and Stories About God’s First People for young children.) We commend the Lee’s for their good work in the gospel; they may be addressed at P.O. Box 866, Hartselle, Alabama 35640.

We have noticed recently that other churches are having special series on “Calvinism,” “Grace, Unity, and Fellowship,” “Morality,” and other such subjects. We must be vigorous and aggressive in preaching the gospel to the lost so that the church may grow, while also preaching vigorously and aggressively to the church so that it may be pure! There is no room for Ephraim’s.Idols in hearts and lives that are filled with the gospel of Christ.

Their Pride Is Their Shame

In the October 1978 North Carolina Christian, a journal supposedly fighting the idols of liberalism, Jim Stutts enthusiastically reported concerning Houston, Texas,

Joe Schubert, minister of the Bammel Road church, preaches beneath a basketball goal each service. Joe encourages those seeking to reach the community for Christ to build a “multipurpose” building rather a monastery! The multipurpose building can be used for worship, fellowship, recreational activities, visual presentations – all geared toward reaching the lost. This congregation is one of the fastest growing in the brotherhood, setting a brotherhood record contribution last year of $1,104,000.

The choice seems clear enough, doesn’t it? We can build meeting houses on the “monastery” model, i.e. designed exclusively for the spiritual work of worship and teaching, ,or else build gymnastic cathedrals! That which gives these brethren the most pride ought to be their greatest shame “ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned” (1 Cor. 5:2). The Lord’s church is`to be “the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15), not a “multipurpose” organization to provide “the community” with social and recreation services. All the way from Texas, we can hear the Bammel Road brethren citing in unison, “I am not ashamed of the multipurpose building, with its basketball goal for reaching the lost, for this indeed is the very power (of God – omitted from best manuscripts) unto salvation!” That is Ephraim 1:16.

If the North Carolina Christian fairly represents the enemies of Ephraim’s idols, they need no friends. Their worst enemies are their best friends.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 14, pp. 230-231
April 5, 1979

By Leslie Diestelkamp

Many years ago while visiting in a public library in London, England, I read Sir Winston Churchill’s account of the American Revolution. He declared that he believed the colonies deserved to win the war – that it was good that they gained their freedom. However, he also believed that those struggling colonies only won because of a lack of sustained action by the British Generals. In other words, he referred to the well-known fact that the British had w,~n significant victories, but that they then failed to press oh to utilize their advantage. He insisted that if the British generals would have pressed on after victory to further victories, they could have overcome the American revolutionaries.

Perhaps God’s faithful people everywhere need to learn a lesson from Mr. Churchill’s words. All over the World, when scriptural battles are fought, some significant victories are won in spiritual warfare. But perhaps we often fail to press forward with a sufficiently sustained drive. Consequently, we may win a battle and lose a war in efforts in behalf of a pure church.

Change of Tactics

In the last two decades the more liberal brethren have learned that it does not pay for them to engage in a fair and open confrontation with the opponents of their promotions. So they have usually changed their tactics. This has recently become evident in some of the very fruitful fields of the world, especially those outside the United States. The new tactics include emphasis upon love, peace, unity, and if none of those, then at least toleration.

Some faithful brethren who formerly fought hard for truth and righteousness may have been lulled to sleep. At least they may have failed to press forward “from victory unto victory,” as the familiar song suggests. But, if today false doctrine and/or unscriptural activity are hidden beneath the umbrella of pious appeals for love, peace, unity and toleration, then tomorrow we may awaken to find that victories that were won have been wasted and other greater victories that were available to God’s faithful people have vanished.

When defeat seems imminent in this spiritual warfare, we must say, “The battle is the Lord’s” and go forward into the fray with vigor. And when victory seems to have come in such spiritual conflicts, we must not relax in past’ accomplishments, but we must keep “the sword of the Spirit” constantly in hand and in use to bring about the greatest possible victory for the cause of Christ.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 14, p. 230
April 5, 1979

By Robert Wayne LaCoste

Our God in Heaven hasn’t given laws that are complicated. To complicate is to “make or become intricate; difficult” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, p. 154). This is not to say that all things in the scriptures are easily understood, for Peter said that some of Paul’s writings were “hard to be understood” (2 Pet. 3:16) but at the same time, God has not given a Testament void of simplicity, but just to the contrary! Paul also wrote, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3). Paul also made mention of the fact that “. . . when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4). So in reading, we can understand the simplicity that is in Christ.

Often, preachers will be guilty of taking simple New Testament truths and making them complicated. So complicated are they, that about the only thing the listener learns when his speech is over is how impressed the speaker is with himself. Many brethren feel you ought to use “big words” to impress your audience, to show them how educated you are. I ask, why? The Apostle Paul was highly educated, yet of his preaching he said, “And, I brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God . . . . my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom . . . . that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:1, 4-5). Big words have their place, but not when God’s word is being preached! If men want to impress other men with how educated they are, let them find another time and another place! We would do well to strive to impress those who hear us with the simple, pure New Testament truth. Only the truth will make a man free from sin (John 8:32). Only the truth will make one a servant of righteousness (Rom. 6:17). It is this same truth which shall judge us in the last day (John 12:48). With all of this evident, pray tell, how will souls be saved if they cannot even understand what the preacher is preaching?

I will always remember what the old farmer said, who also preached the gospel: “Son, keep it down, plain and simple to where the calves can understand it, and the cows will take care of themselves.” Amen! No one profits from a meal that is not digestible! Let us keep it as simple as possible and in so doing we shall see souls ” . . . not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).

Truth Magazine XXIII: 14, p. 229
April 5, 1979