Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

The man of sin, the spirit of lawlessness, knows no bounds. The Lord Himself promised all spiritual blessings to those who receive them upon certain conditions given in the Bible, but lawless brethren sit in the seat of God extending God’s grace to those who set aside the revealed conditions for grace. Ron Durham, Mission Magazine editor, welcomed the newly elected Roman Catholic Pope as an inspiration to “other Christians”: “Perhaps the new Roman Catholic leader’s personal synthesis will inspire other Christians to search anew for this balance in their own lives and their own fellowship” (Mission, Sept., 1978, p. 2). Another writer in the same issue challenges us to take the Lord’s Supper, discerning “the body of Christ” which includes liberal and- conservative, literalist and non literalist, Catholic and Protestant, Baptist and “Church-a Christ” (p. 14). Editor Durham is also on record affirming that people in many other religious bodies “are on the Highway to Heaven” (Jan., 1977, p. 22).

One of the featured concepts in Integrity has been the Christians-in-all-denominations idea. The editor, Hoy Ledbetter, has allowed some debate but is clearly in favor of this doctrine. Thomas Lane of Cincinnati, Ohio, offered his “Conservative Basis for Open Membership,” arguing, “In the case of one immersed for the wrong reason, his spirit of obedience suffices to save him. This principle may be expanded” to include those who receive sprinkling or pouring (Sept., 1976, p. 40). In the January-February, 1977 issue Daniel Griggs asserted, “The question of immersion and fellowship is not answered by the Bible” and, therefore, offered “Another Appeal for an Ecumenical Membership Policy” (pp. 101-2). Editor Ledbetter recently complained of our “refusal to acknowledge that those in the sects are Christians” (January-February, 1978, p. 120). R.L. Kilpatrick’s Ensign Fair has been singing the same song, as in Douglas Plaster’s “Something to Think About,” advocating “fellowship with Christians from other groups” Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Christian Church. “Brothers in error,’ many will shout. Well yes, are we not all brothers in error?” (November 1978, pp. 16-18).

When Mission asked what should parents attending “legalistic” churches tell their children, Dave Reagan of Irving, Texas, answered that his responses to the problem have changed over the years:

To his kids’ statement, “Daddy, we really picked a bummer of a church” he would have replied, fifteen years ago: “Child, you are grounded for a month, and 1 expect you to go forward next Sunday and ask the church to pray for you.” Ten years ago:

“The Church of Christ is a human institution and therefore (t is flawed. But this is true .even more of the denominations . . . . Five years ago: “Yes, child, you are right. But God must have put us here for a reason, so let’s dedicate ourselves to serving him by reforming the church as much as possible.” And today: “Why don’t you visit other denominations and try to find one that speaks more directly and relevantly to your spiritual needs?” (August, 1978, p. 15)

Five years hence, perhaps his remaining children will ask, “What was it like, Daddy, when you used to take us to the Church of Christ?” At any rate, the Bible does still say, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16). And, the denominations still teach, “He that is baptized in infancy is saved, and may believe at confirmation service when he is 12 years old,” or, “He that believeth is saved, and shall be baptized to join the church of his choice.” But, Ephraim is hopelessly joined to idols along with the Pope and “other Christians” who show the “spirit of obedience” through disobedience.

Which Disturbs You Most?

Someone compiled a list of comparisons which might reveal where our real interests lie. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21). Which disturbs you most?

A soul lost in hell, or a scratch on your new car?

Your missing worship services, or missing a day’s work?

A sermon 10 minutes too long, or your lunch a half-hour late?

The church work neglected, or your housework neglected?

Missing a good Bible study, or missing your favorite TV program?

Millions who do not know Christ, or your inability to keep up with your neighbors?

Your Bible unopened, or your newspaper unread?

Your contribution decreasing, or your income decreasing?

Which disturbs you most, and what are you going to do about it?

To which we might add this one: The continued march of bureaucracy and centralization in American government, or the continued march of institutionalism and centralization among churches of Christ? Which of these two disturbs you most, and what are you going to do about it? If we cannot convert our erring brethren to do right, we must separate from them lest we share in sin and its reward (2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:11; 2 John 9-11). When Ephraim is joined to his idols and refuses to turn back to the Lord, we can only leave him alone.

Is A Denomination Evolving?

The Third Annual “Spiritual Sword” Lectureship held by the Getwell Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee centered around the need of “Doctrinal Preaching” (22-26 October, 1978). The “Spiritual Sword” is a publication put out by Getwell in an effort to hold back the tide of liberalism. The lectureship included a “Spiritual Sword” Dinner (“Cost of Meal Reasonable”), with Ralph Henley speaking on “Is a Denomination Evolving Out of the Lord’s Church?” No doubt, Henley said something like, “Yes!” When the Getwell church puts out a journal and charges a subscription price, sponsors a common meal, charges for the meal, uses Ray Hawk – defender of church sponsored social activities – as a speaker, invites Willard Collins -David Lipscomb College’s President who wants colleges in church budgets – to lecture, has V.E. Howard – speaker for the centralized sponsoring-church radio program World Radio – to, preach, and features Tom Warren – who participated in a debate with an atheist under a sponsoring church arrangement which paid the atheist to come – on its lectures, yes by all means a denomination is evolving. Right here at Getwell!” In the shadow of its idols, Ephraim held a lectureship to ask, “Is Idolatry Evolving In Ephraim?”

Truth Magazine XXIII: 13, pp. 218-219
March 29, 1979

By Earl Robertson

Often we are asked this question. Mere established practices often become the norm for many religious activities. But the fact of their existence is not sufficient authority to make them right before God. The history of sprinkling covers many centuries, but it does not go back to the apostles of Christ in the first century or to anything written in the Book of God. Mere assertion by some preacher does not make sprinkling for baptism scriptural baptism. Neither does sprinkling become baptism by just calling it that.

The Bible says baptism is a burial (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12). Is it correct to say what the Bible says? Is it right to call Bible Things by opposing words? The testimony of the so-called”Fathers,” the testimony of the historians, and the lexicographers, all attest to the fact that baptism is a burial and that this what the early church did. For convenience, sprinkling was substituted in the third century in the case of Novation, according to Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History (p. 266). The Council of Revenna (1311) gave men the choice between sprinkling and immersion. No apostle of Christ ever gave such a choice, not did Christ Himself.

But someone says, “What about the `household baptisms’?” They mean by this that the jailer had little babies and they were sprinkled. There is no way to prove this man had even children must less infants. Even if we granted he did (which we do not), the proof for sprinkling is still lacking. What evidence can be offered to show this was a case of sprinkling?

Well, another says, “there wasn’t any water in the desert when the eunuch was baptized, so it had to be sprinkling with his own drinking water.” First, the word “desert” in Acts 8:26 does not mean dry or arid; it here means, “solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited” (Thayer, p. 249). The same word is, used (in dative case) in Isa. 43:19 of “rivers in the desert.” Because a place is deserted one cannot conclude it is also arid! But this nonsense is the length to which men will go to justify their religious practices.

Since neither Christ nor His apostles authorized sprinkling for baptism, and none practiced it for centuries, we conclude yet today that baptism is a burial (Rom. 6:3, 4).

Truth Magazine XXIII: 13, p. 217
March 29, 1979

By Irvin Himmel

No work is more noble than converting lost souls to Jesus Christ. To “convert” means to change or turn. I propose now to examine four major hindrances to conversion.

Failure-to Realize Lost Condition

People who see the need for financial protection do not have to be sold on the merits of insurance. A starving man gladly accepts food when it is offered. A boy lost in a cave shouts with joy when he hears the voices of a rescue group. An injured woman pulled from a wrecked automobile does not tell the ambulance attendants to go away and leave her alone. A drowning teenager will reach desperately for anything or anyone that might save his life.

The gospel is truly good news to the individual who realizes his lost condition before God. But many turn away from the gospel without showing the slightest interest because they feel no need for it. We cannot convert people to the Lord who see no need for the Lord.

The Bible teaches that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Sin is grievous. It separates men and women from the favor of God. Spiritual death is the penalty for sin. “For the wages of sin is death . . .” (Rom. 6:23). When people realize that they have sinned and are lost because they have sinned, the gospel has appeal. It is the failure to think on the reality of sin and its awful consequences that hinders souls from desiring salvation.

Thinking They Are Converted Already

Attempts to convert some people are to no avail because they think they have been converted already. Some have been told to believe on the Lord and that is all there is to it. They have believed for a long time, therefore, they feel secure. Others are told that conversion is “getting religion,” hence they think they have been converted because they joined a church and are active in its affairs.

It is possible for one to believe on the Lord and still not be converted. Among the chief rulers “many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42, 43). Anyone who loves human praise more than the praise of God needs to be changed, turned, or converted.

It is possible for one to be religious and not be truly converted to Jesus Christ. The Jews present on Pentecost in Jerusalem were “devout men” (Acts 2:5), and their religious devotion is what brought them to that city from all parts of the world. But they needed to accept the Lordship of Jesus and repent and be baptized (Acts 2:36-38). Saul of Tarsus was deeply religious before his conversion (Acts 26:4, 5). Cornelius feared God, prayed regularly, and proved himself devout before he was told to send for Peter who “shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 10:2; 11:14).

Conversion is the process by which lost souls are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Christ. Conversion is not mere feeling, nor is it some supernatural experience. It is obedience to the gospel. The examples of conversion in the book of Acts clearly show that the turning from sin to the Lord that results in salvation includes faith, repentance, confession of Jesus as Christ, and baptism for the remission of sins.

Conflicting Doctrine

Denominationalism, sectarianism, differences in religious practices, contradictory doctrines, and confusing theories turn people off. Hundreds of different religious bodies claim fellowship with God and claim to offer what lost souls need. Obviously, they all cannot be right. The whole religious scene presents a picture that is not very pretty to that person who appraises Christianity on the basis of the diverse elements that profess attachment to Jesus.

To overcome this hindrance we must urge honest souls to go back to the New Testament for a correct view of the religion taught by Jesus through the apostles. Our Lord is not the author of the heterogeneous mixture that is found in modern religion. The church which Jesus established is not a hodge-podge of doctrines, organizations, and rituals. The picture of the body of Christ given in the New Testament is nothing similar to the chaotic muddle of religious bodies in today’s world.

The apostles warned against preaching any gospel other than that which they preached (Gal. 1:8, 9). They warned against going beyond the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). They urged men to speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). They condemned divisions (1 Cor. 1:10; Rom.16:17).

The smokescreen of religious confusion obscures the view of many who are trying to see how to follow Jesus. The Bible clears away the pollution.

Pull of the World

Another hindrance to conversion is the strong, attraction of the world. Paul referred to this as the “power of darkness.” The pleasures of sin draw one’s attention away from spiritual matters. The lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life pull like a powerful magnet.

Some who have been converted are drawn away from the Lord by the pull of the world. Demas is an example. Paul said, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10).

John wrote, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).

Reader, if you have not been converted to Christ, what is hindering? He is your only escape from eternal doom.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 13, pp. 216-217
March 29, 1979

By Wallace H. Little

Economics

Granting the present economic situation in the Philippines, I am forced to the conclusion that most of the churches there will not be self-supporting in this generation. That need not impede the growth of God’s people there if we are willing. American impatience is no where more apparent than among brethren who have supported a Filipino preacher for several years, and begin to become weary in well-doing. The statement is often made: “We have supported brother so-and-so for five years; we believe it is about time that the congregation picked up its own responsibility in this matter,” or words to that effect. And, brethren, I ask, “Why?” Do we suppose our economic situation is a good standard by which we can measure their condition? And if we do follow through on our impatience, what other plans do we have for “our” money? What better “investment” could we make of our laying by in store on the first day of the week than to place this in the hands of faithful, dedicated, zealous and capable men who are preaching the gospel? Will the Lord, in judgment, say “Well done” to us if we withdraw it from support of preachers in order to pave the parking lot, or something else of equal “importance”? Brethren, there are some nations on- this earth today (I am not sure– the–Philippines is among them, but evidence indicates that it is) that will need years, decades before their economic systems will permit churches there to support their local preachers as we understand support. If the situation in the Philippines progresses economically, in time they may well be able to provide for their own preachers, but this change will not take place any time soon. Thus, we in the U.S., in an economy never before matched in the history of the world, with a superabundance of material things and financial means, are in a position to send when we cannot go, and send to others who are there and thus have part in the greatest work on earth.

Culture

Let us recognize there are no “average Filipinos,” any more than there are no “average Americans.” Their diversity of cultures, reflected in the existence of more than 100 recorded major and minor dialects is testimony that their manner of thinking and conduct will not be as ours. But that does not necessarily mean it is bad; only that it is different. Sometimes I wonder, where did we ever get the idea that our standards, our cultural norms ought to be the yardstick for the rest of the world? Let us honor and respect their traditions and customs rather than look on them with condescension just because they are different. Remember, when we are in that country, we are the foreigners! And let us keep in mind their culture will reflect itself in the way they respond to various situations and circumstances, and these responses are often going to be sharply different from our own. Again, that does not make them wrong, just different. And in these differences, let us be understanding and patient. Perhaps we might have a few peculiarities and customs they would consider a little on the weird side, too. And would we not want them to be charitable in their evaluation of us under these circumstances?

Politics

Politics is interwoven in the pattern of life; this is accepted here. So also, it exists there, and in a more exaggerated form in many instances. The major religious bodies are more political and economic than they are religious. Their impact and effect on opportunities to teach the gospel are pronounced. They need to be understood and respected (respect from the standpoint of acknowledging their existence and power, not necessarily as approving them). Work done there must be within the acknowledging of them. There is little overt or indirect opposition to teaching the gospel here; there is a great deal of it there. But before we become too critical, why do we not compare also the effectiveness they have in converting folks in spite of the political opposition, with our own in its absence. Perhaps all political opposition is not that bad?

Geography

The distribution of people in the Philippines in the various habitable islands makes transportation there a relatively large preaching expense. To that degree, it makes preaching the gospel and the growth of the church slower than it might be otherwise. On the other hand, this might well work to the advantage of truth in that it would take more time for error to spread between congregations. The geography definitely presents some problems we do not have here, and the cost of transportation is not the only one. The means of transportation is another. To those Americans who have been there, you know what I mean. There is hardly a bus there I can ride with even minimum comfort. The space between the seats is simply not sufficient to accommodate my long legs. Between some of the islands you will travel by boat – and some of these boats leave you wondering whether it might not turn into the boat to the nether world of both Greek and Roman mythology. Crossing open sea in a pump boat, which is reality is not much more than a very large-like hollowed out log complete with an inboard motor and outriggers, is an interesting experience. I have done so; but I am not sure I want to do it again any time real soon.

“Data” Complex

Family loyalty is another problem there. It has definite implications both in the reception of the gospel and the preaching of it. Converting one member of a family may well depend on convincing another, or all others. Which means we need to teach and work harder at it. Family loyalty will cause problems when those within the family seems to be wilfully violating God’s law by protecting a known transgressor in God’s church. Such things need to be handled – but they need to be handled very carefully and with much patience. The majority of brethren there I have known over the years want to do right, and they can be persuaded to uphold truth even against those in the family when approached from this view.

Religion

The primary religions there are the Roman Catholic Church (83%) and the Iglesia ni Christo (10%) (Church of Christ). Muslims (4% of the population), Protestant denominationalism plus God’s people (total: 3%) have an effect pretty well determined by the figures. The RCC and Manaloists obviously are going to have a much greater impact than the other groups. But Christians can and must have an effect beyond their numbers and percentage of population: We have a command to be the savoring and preserving influence in this world (Mt. 5:13-16). The effect is beginning to be seen in the Philippines today. Non-Christians are noticing the conduct of members of the church there, for better or for worse. In some cases, outsiders are drawn by good conduct, and conversions have been made. In other instances, these non-saints are repelled by the evil they see in the conduct of some who claim to be members of the only church that Christ died to establish. It must be obvious we need more of the former and less of the latter.

Prognosis

Where do we go from here? One thing is certain: Satan is not about to sit still and let that nation be taken for Christ without putting up a good stiff fight. He will use every tool at his disposal, and one of the greatest and most effective there is distrust and suspicion among brethren. The conditions for this exist there, and especially because of the circumstances concerning which I have written in this series. I would be lying if I did not admit that these causes have . produced some terrible happenings, and probably will do so again. Even at the moment, a man who has proven himself to be dishonest set about on a deliberate campaign of revenge, both in his nation and here in the U.S. Ciriaco Salvatierra reported a false benevolent need to U.S. congregations which were supporting him. When the money was sent, he spent it on himself. I found out about it, and with others, tried to persuade him to repent. He would have none of this; rather, he assumed that one preacher there (Victorio R. Tibayan, Sr.) and the daughter of another (Isabelo Hayuhay’s daughter Vernice) were responsible for exposing him to me, and thus responsible for-him losing support. He has filed court cases against them on false charges, and has initiated a planned campaign both there and in the U.S. to ruin them, and me. The unfortunate part of such a thing is that some both here and there will listen to him without examining the evidence (in his case, he has none; he is long on charges, and very short on proof). As a consequence, the work there will suffer, as well as individuals be hurt when they ought not to be.

Another disturbing tendency is seen in the disposition of some U.S. churches to receive a letter of appeal from one there seeking support, and provide this without even checking with one of us who have been there to see what. kind of a person he is. Serious damage has been dory because of this poor stewardship. And more, when a man turns out to be dishonest (and they have their crooks, just as we have ours), the reputation of all the men there is tarnished by the same brush. This ought not so to be, but it is.

Yet another situation is Americans going there and teaching their pet beliefs, those positions they hold as matters of personal faith for themselves in terms of their consciences, but do not impose them on the conscience of others. This is well and good, but they forget that the learner goes beyond the teacher, the disciple excells the master, and there are known instances there where the Filipino has learned something from a visiting American preacher which the American did not make a test of faith, but which the Filipino disciple has done so. There are other problems, too.

Yet, inspite of these, and all difficulties, it seems this is the one nation on earth today where the growth is still explosive, and where the work ought to be encouraged in every Scriptural way. It is great and God is glorified in it. I am humbled God has permitted me even a slight part in it.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 13, pp. 214-215
March 29, 1979