Truth Magazine

By Irvin Himmel

Some religious people think that sinners are saved by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit. According to their theory God saves whom He will, the actions and attitudes of men having no bearing on God’s acts of grace, and the gospel is to be preached only to the saved to explain what God has already done for them. This theory makes the gospel food for the saved but not the means of imparting life. The theory denies all human agency in saving sinners.

Primitive Baptists cherish this view as one of the cardinal principles of their faith. In the Christian Baptist, January, 1978, Elder S.T. Tolley, Editor, states, “Primitive Baptists have always believed that it was unnecessary for the gospel of Christ to be preached in order that sinners be saved from hell.”

It is perfectly obvious that Jesus Christ did not start the Primitive Baptist Church, for Jesus taught that the gospel is to be preached to the end that the lost might be saved. The Lord said, “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).

Paul was not of the Primitive Baptist persuasion, for he taught that belief is essential to salvation and one cannot believe except he hear the word. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? . . . So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:13-17).

Elder J.D. Holder, a Primitive Baptist, writing in his book Principles and Practices of the Church, says the gospel “must be that which nourishes or sustains life and not a means to give life” (p. 99). In that statement he flatly contradicts Paul who wrote that Christ hath abolished death “and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).

Elder Holder says Paul “was saved before he heard the gospel preached by Ananias” (p. 101). If that were the case, Paul’s sins were washed away before Ananias was sent to him, yet the Bible informs us that Ananias told him to “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Paul understood that sinners are made free from sin when they obey from the heart the form of doctrine delivered (Rom. 6:17,18). The role of Ananias was to deliver that form of doctrine to Paul by commanding him to be baptized.

Elder Holder argues that “Cornelius was saved before he heard the gospel by Peter at the house of Cornelius” (p. 101). This is absolutely untrue. In Acts 11:14 it is stated that Cornelius was told to send for Peter, “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” Peter said later, “Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe” (Acts 15:7). The hearing of the gospel was the means of producing belief. Peter “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48).

In every case of conversion in the book of Acts the gospel was preached for the purpose of turning the lost from sin to salvation. Take, for example, the people on Pentecost. The gospel was preached to the multitudes `to make believers out of them. They did not believe that Jesus is Lord and Christ until the gospel was preached. Then, being cut to their heart, they said to Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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 2:37,38).

God designed the gospel to be the power unto salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). It is by the gospel that people are begotten (1 Cor. 4:15). God will take vengeance on all who know Him not and obey not the gospel (2 Thess. 1:8).

God wants us to employ the gospel to reach the lost. It is through the gospel that the Holy Spirit operates to save sinners. Christ did not equip the apostles with an unnecessary message of glad tidings. Primitive Baptists misunderstand the gospel, therefore they misapply passages which discuss the purpose of the gospel. Primitive Christians (the ones who lived in the apostolic age) were eager to preach the gospel to the lost so they could be saved, but Primitive Baptists are not that primitive!

Truth Magazine XXII: 39, p. 626
October 5, 1978

By Pat Higgins

Do you know haw to be angry? Most folks do not, you know. Or, more specifically, we do not know how to be angry and “sin not.” Anger, as an emotion, is as much a part of man as is love and fear. It is unrestrained, uncontrolled anger that becomes sinful. Too often we allow anger to control our minds and tongues, and we wind up doing and saying things that are hurtful and unkind.

Sometimes the occasion of the anger and the victim of the vituperative tongue are far removed. For example, Jane has been wrestling with the children all day, the washing machine overflowed, the dog dug holes in the front yard, and she is angry with the world. Enter the unsuspecting husband at 5:30 p.m. Before he can get the door closed, she hits him with every exaggerated “you always” and “you never” that could possibly be exhumed and brought to mind, with a few “don’t you ever’s” thrown in for good measure. He just happened to be in the right place at the wrong time.

Unfortunately, it is those we love the most upon whom we feel free to vent our anger by an out-of-control barrage of lethal verbiage. We do maintain enough clarity to know we could not as easily get by with it elsewhere; e.g., would you as readily tell your boss off as you would your wife? Probably not. Which seems to indicate the possibility of control or restraint when there is reasonable cause.

Words picked at random and hurled with anger are usually unreasonable and unfair. They are indicative of an emotion that is overflowing from an individual who maintains no rule over his own spirit (Prov. 27:4; 25:28).

As mentioned, we more often take advantage of loved ones, but occasionally this anger is exposed to brethren, and worse yet, to unbelievers. Such is damaging to a Christian’s influence; he who cannot control his anger and his tongue cannot present a picture of temperance and godly living to the world.

The Apostle Paul wrote that anger is a work of the flesh and should be laid aside, cast off, as you would remove and throw away an old filthy garment (Gal. 5:20; Col. 3:8). Anger is classed along with doubting as that which will interfere with a man’s prayers (Jas. 1:6) 1 Tim. 2:8).

Uncontrolled anger always has a negative effect on people, even when the angry one is correct in his position. Solomon knew this and said, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1). What is he saying? The import is this: To a great extent we can manipulate (I use this word in the sense of “managing or utilizing skillfully”-Webster) or influence the response of a person in a given situation. Is this not a great power within our hands? Is this not a great responsibility? Think about it. . . the manner in which I address a man can help determine his response to the truth. It is a sobering thought.

Shall I lose my inheritance in the kingdom of God because of my anger? Shall I contribute to the loss of someone else’s soul because of my angry words? God forbid.

Truth Magazine XXII: 37, p. 603
September 21, 1978

By George T. Eldridge

Authority means “the power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions; jurisdiction.” Who has “the power or right to give commands”? Who can “make final decisions”? Who has “jurisdiction”?

Answers to all three questions reside in Jesus Christ! “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). Jesus is “my Lord and my God” (John 20:28) and “is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). He has “the power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions; jurisdiction.”

False Sources of Authority

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church. The common name is Catholic Church. When you consider the religious complexion of the United States, the Catholic Church has a membership of 42.1 million (1960 census). All the members of the Catholic Church acknowledge (1) authority of papal acts, (2) authority of tradition, and (3) authority of the Catholic Church as sources of authority. Though the inspired word of God and the authority of that word does not approve of any of those three avenues of authority, let us define the first two.

Authority of papal acts means “decrees and decisions of the Holy See, whether of the pope in person or of the Roman congregations, tribunals and offices . . . .” They “are to be accepted and obeyed by those for whom they are intended and to whom they are promulgated.”

The apostles of Jesus Christ never taught “authority of papal acts.” The Christians of the New Testament never accepted “authority of papal acts.” Therefore, reject “authority of papal acts.”

Authority of tradition “is an article of faith from a decree of the Vatican Council that tradition . . . is a source of theological teaching distinct from Scripture, and that it is infallible. It is therefore to be received with the same internal assent as Scripture, for it is the word of God.” How must a Catholic view tradition? “An article of faith, distinct from Scripture, is infallible,” and “is the word of God” is the answer. How does Jesus view tradition?

What Jesus says to the scribes and Pharisees is what He speaks to Catholics. “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matt. 15:6-8).

Examples Show Need for Authority

Cain and Abel. Those individuals were sons of Adam and Eve. Many people assume that Cain was the firstborn of Adam and Eve, but nobody knows this as a biblical fact. God blessed Adam and Eve. “And God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that moveth upon earth” (Gen. 1:28). Adam and Eve were healthy, vigorous, and prolific. How many years they remained in the Garden of Eden, the Bible does not say. Children may have been born to Adam and Eve in Eden. God had spoken to this husband and wife and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it.” There is no evidence that Cain was the firstborn of Adam and Eve or that Abel was the second born of this couple.

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect” (Gen. 4:3-5).

Why did God respect Abel and his offering? Why did God reject Cain and his offering? God’s rejection was not based on feelings, education, color of skin, and other human standards! Read the Bible. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Heb. 11:4).

“By faith” means God has spoken and we are to obey that which God spoke. “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). God spoke as to the offering He wanted as a sacrifice. Abel had faith in God and in what God spoke. Abel showed faith by doing what God spoke.

What about Cain? Cain did not have faith in God and in what He spoke. Cain showed his lack of faith in God by bringing “the fruit of the ground” as “an offering unto Jehovah.” God, therefore, rejected Cain because he did not act “by faith.” Will God reject you?

“By faith” teaches us! Will we be like Abel or will we be like Cain? All of our offerings unto Jehovah must be “by faith.” Can we supply from God’s spoken word, the Bible, the verse or verses where Jesus gives authority for all activities of the church we are a member of? Can we “by faith” tell why we are what we are religiously?

Remember! “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). “By faith” means we are obeying Jesus who has “the power or right to give commands.” Jesus can “enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions.” Jesus has “jurisdiction” over our lives, even our very thoughts. Are we “by faith” obeying Jesus?

Final Word

Do we need authority for our beliefs and practices?

Yes. Without authority, Jesus will speak to us at the great judgment day “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:23). Iniquity is the Greek work anomia which literally means lawlessness. Without authority for our beliefs and practices, Jesus says we are lawless individuals-individuals without authority. We, therefore, will depart from Jesus for all eternity and spend all eternity in Hell. Why? Our beliefs and practices were not sanctioned by the authority of Jesus! Are we lawless individuals? Are our beliefs and practices without Jesus’ authority?

Truth Magazine XXII: 37, pp. 605-606
September 21, 1978

By Larry Ray Hafley

“Send all questions to the writer of this column. “

Question:

From Tennessee: “Should we deal with such questions as women commenting in class, having a television in the home, the covering, wearing pants suits, and dress codes in the same way that we must deal with such issues as instruments of music in worship, church sponsored recreation and institutionalism?”

Reply:

The question is general if not vague, its ramifications deep and intense, and its solution difficult, if not illusive. 1f one does not recognize that much, he does not understand the multi-faceted problems inherent in the query, and he will feel irritation more than sympathy toward the response.

Relative Diversity

In certain areas, there is acceptable relativity. God allows time for growth in matters that are relative. Elders are to be blameless and not soon angry-period. But who will say that there are not hues and shades in such qualifications? Some are “grade A” blameless, while others may be “grade C” blameless. “Grade C” but still blameless. No elder should be soon to anger, but some anger sooner than others. Another example: “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers” implies a time when one is not expected to be a teacher. This will vary from person to person. It is a relative matter in which there will be some diversity. But again, Peter lists some “graces” that we are to “add” to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5-7). We are in different degrees of virtue and self control. Your level is not mine, but as we strive, strain and struggle for growth, we are both accepted of God. These are relative areas, areas of diversity which God recognizes.

Specific Pattern

There are direct pattern areas where no relativity is acceptable to God. The conditions of pardon are clear. One must comply and be saved by grace or be damned. The organization of the church is precise, “elders in every church.” That is not a relative matter. The work and worship of the church is, in the main, exact. Saints are to sing, not play. The church is to preach, teach, relieve certain needy ones, not to eat, drink and raise up to play. Those are not issues of relativity.

One may determine that a television set hinders him from Bible study or that it presents enticements and inducements that he cannot endure. So, he will not have one in the house. Indeed, he should not, but if another can enjoy television, and if he is not adversely affected by it, then he has a perfect right to one. It is an individual matter. It does not affect the worship of those two brethren as they sit on the same pew. However, if one brother demands a piano in worship or insists upon a congregational contribution to a benevolent society, that involves both brethren. Hence, the issue cannot be dealt with the same manner.

In controversy surrounding the work, worship and organization of the church, lines are drawn very readily since these topics touch each member in their collective relationship. A sermon on modesty in dress should cause all saints to dress modestly. Should one woman decide not to wear pants suits, that is a proper personal judgment. Should another lady “let out” the hems in her dresses but maintain modest pants suits, that is her prerogative. Both may worship together. Both are modest. If one lady insists upon a piano in congregational worship, the other lady cannot deal with that issue in the same light as modesty. That should be obvious.

Two sisters sit side by side. One has on an artificial covering while the other does not. One comments in class while the other does not. These ladies attend a congregation that has church sponsored recreation, sends a fifth Sunday contribution to a benevolent society, and sends an annual sum to David Lipscomb College. You see how one may accept their individual convictions but be unable to endorse their membership and fellowship in an institutional church.

Attitude

A deciding factor is attitude. Attitude toward truth and toward one another manifests one’s disposition toward God and His divine authority (cf. 1 Jn. 4:20). When the truth is preached, attitudes toward it determine fellowship. Preach the truth on every Bible subject. Cry aloud and spare not. Stand in the faith once delivered; encourage others to do the same. Generally, the problem of fellowship will settle itself when this is done.

Truth Magazine XXII: 38, p. 610
September 28, 1978