Truth Magazine

By S. Leonard Tylor

This is a searching but fair and vitally important question. The answer is basic and, to me, essential to any who believes in the all-sufficiency of the Divine Volume, the Bible. Can one be sure, positive, when he is a Christian, a member of the church of Christ? Can he proclaim with confidence this message to others for their salvation? Can a Christian tell when one is turning back into the world or wallowing in the mire? If one starts turning toward denominationalism, can that be recognized? If these questions have a positive answer, truth makes a distinction and we must recognize it. If, on the other hand, the response is negative, truth makes no difference, and we had just as well forget the whole matter-because no one can be positive what is right. If the word of God is not clearly understandable, man is left without clear knowledge and convictions.

These terse questions demand a positive response if one is to find revealed in the Bible an indispensable, vital faith and life in Christ.

Is the Bible the inerrant word of God, complete, absolute, understandable, and the unique standard by which man is to be reconciled to God in Christ, directed and saved eternally? Is the Bible reliable, worthy of trust and confidence? Is it understandable, especially the New Testament, so one can be uniquely, intelligently, and Scripturally identified with its teaching? Can one say like Paul, “I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded (convinced, NASB) that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”? (2 Tim. 1:12).

To respond positively does not necessarily identify one with the Pharisaic, “braggadocios,” self-justifying attitude. It does imply, however, that he possesses a genuine, active, and confident faith in the word of God as trustworthy, authoritative, positive, and understandable. It is saying, “Speak, Lord, I will believe. Command, I will obey. Promise, I will trust.” Then, we must search the Scriptures to learn what the Lord says, commands, and promises, and accept His will be faith with complete confidence.

Attitudes Toward the Bible

There are many views regarding the Inspiration of the Bible. We notice two very briefly. (1) The Bible is Inspired in Thought or Principle. God miraculously and directly revealed His will to certain chosen men but left them to express the message in their own words without Divine assistance. This leaves too much to human judgment or wisdom. Subjectivism and relativism have a great and lasting influence upon the minds of those adhering to such a loose concept of inspiration. Skepticism which opens the door to denominationalism is also very common to such a view. But these delight in the “non-essentials” and the “non-essentials with liberty” rule their religion. Notwithstanding all the warnings contained in the Bible (Matt. 15:9; 2 Cor. 10:5-6, 12-18; 2 Thess. 2; 1 Tim. 4:1, 15; Heb. 2:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Acts 20:28-32), these continue to allow the doctrines and commandments of men to predominate in their lives (Isa. 8:20; Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12).

(2) The Second View is Plenary Verbal Inspiration.. God miraculously and directly revealed His will to certain chosen men and miraculously and directly superintended their choice of words. Thus, they could speak and write verbally and inerrantly exactly what God wanted them to, exactly as He wanted it said or written, giving man an understandable and infallible guide. This is the claim the Bible makes for itself (Acts 2:1-5; 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17; 2 Tim 3:16-17), and I most sincerely believe it will stand against every evil wind that blows.

Is It Understandable?

Many accept the verbal inspiration of the Bible but are skeptical about understanding the Bible itself. So, to them, one can not be positive enough to say, “This is it.” If the teaching of the Bible is unattainable to man, he is left without positive directions or law. This brings to my mind, an old but true Latin expression, “Ubi jus incertum, ibi jus nullum”-where the law is uncertain, there is no law. Here the religious wonderers gather, separate, reform, tolerate, and split again. And, here the word of God is thrown to the four winds of the earth. Emotionalism, confusions, divisions and every philosophy and doctrine imaginable to man finds tolerance. The sociological changes sway minds, evolutionary theories are planted, and spiritualism goes wild in this incomprehensible Bible whirlpool. Surely, God would not give man such a Book as that! God has not authored mass confusion and wild contradiction in religion (1 Cor. 14:33). Our concern is not, “Can one person judge another?” We are deeply concerned with, “Can we understand the Bible?”

The Bible is filled with propositional truths. A proposition is `an expression in language, symbols, or signs of anything which is capable of being believed, doubted or denied: a verbal expression which is either true or false” (Webster’s New International Dictionary, Unabridged). Scripture is to be accepted or rejected upon the credibility of its understandable truths.

The Bible claims positive, yea, even Divine truths. David declared, “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in Heaven” (Ps 119:89). Jesus said, “My words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). Peter states, “For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:23; NASB).

God’s truth stands regardless of one’s attitude toward it. It is absolute truth. God can declare the end of a thing at the beginning (Isa. 46:10). If a person contends that Bible knowledge is unattainable, or impractical, he cannot claim a firm guide into God’s provision for salvation. To whom shall he go?

God spoke plainly to Moses when Israel was preparing to possess the land of Canaan (Deut. 30:1130). Moses called the children of Israel together and reminded them of God’s goodness, love, and care for their forefathers and His gracious provision for them. He, then, read the Law: (1) He read so all could hear and understand it. (2) They could know their God and His way. (3) This was in order that they might do all the words of the law. (4) Thus, Israel could share in all the blessings of their God. (5) And, then they could teach God’s law to their children with the same provisions, conditions, and blessings. Some one observed: “This law was plain enough to be understood; practical enough to be obeyed; and divine enough to be essential.” This, I believe, is applicable to all of God’s will to man for salvation. The gospel is God’s power into salvation to every one who believes (Rom. 1:16) but “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Further, Paul told Timothy, “These things I write unto you . . . That thou rnayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God” (1 Tim. 3:14-15). It certainly seems from these expressions that God intended for man to understand His written word. Why else would He have written it?

The Bible is what God teaches-no more and no less-neither can any man add to it nor take from it (Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Pet. 1:3; Titus 2:7-8, 10). Too many times however, what is called “interpretation” is nothing more than what man thinks, feels, or assumes and has no place in the Divine Volume. If the Bible does not teach it, it is not part of God’s word.-regardless of what or how anyone thinks or feels about it. Bro. M. C. Kurfees makes the following observation:

It follows that the Divine Creed can never be an unnecessary inference or merely what man thinks. This, according to the etymology of the term, would make it merely man’s opinion. How can we tell, in a given case, whether a thing is what God says or merely what man thinks? Here again, if we have no infallible rule for our guidance, we are in hopeless confusion . . . the science of hermeneutics is a false science unless it seeks, by its principles, laws and rules, to ascertain, and is willing to be satisfied with, what an author says, and this fact especially applies is the case of religion where the search is for what God says. In fact, when we have learned by absolutely correct translation from one language to another, exactly what God says, we have reached the limit of legitimate interpretation and are justified in saying that we have found what God means by finding what God says. He who repudiates this position has only the alternative of committing himself, to the lax and latitudinarian position of guessing at what God means beyond what he says . . .” (Abilene Christian College Bible Lecture 1920-1921, page 17).

Paul wrote the Ephesians to assure them of a definite and positive standard by which to be governed and sustained in Eph. 4:10-16. He assured them that miraculously inspired teachers would continue until the complete, perfect will of Christ was revealed and confirmed. When that time arrived, God’s people would have a full knowledge of Christ communicated, God’s complete will make known. By that will Christians both were and are to be firmly sustained and directed in true fellowship, grace, faith, hope, service and all spiritual relationships in Christ with God, the Holy Spirit and all the saints for salvation (1 Cor. 1:9; Titus 2:11-12; 1 John 1:3-7; 1 Pet. 1:3-9). The same apostle told the Corinthians that “when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (i Cor. 13:10). James shows that the “perfect law of liberty” is come (James 1:25; 2:12).

The Bible is the positive, unalterable standard by which man is to be drawn to Christ, directed, and sustained. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). So Paul told Timothy to charge certain men “that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:3). Peter said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Thus Paul warned the Ephesians about the “cunning craftiness” and deceptive doctrines and pleaded with them not to be “tossed to and fro” by such false teachers and doctrines. Then Paul added, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” He wrote the Colossians to be “grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Col. 1:23). In Jude 3, the instruction is to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” This is God’s will for all men today. May God help us to study, believe, obey and teach it with full assurance that what God has promised He is able to fulfill.

Truth Magazine XXII: 38, pp. 616-617
September 28, 1978

By Ron Halbrook

Social Drinking the Lure of Respectable Sin

For The Truth’s Sake, intoxicating drinks should be totally avoided. Some folks admit the sinfulness of drunkenness, a lesser number oppose reveling, but very few recognize the wrong of social drinking. Alcohol and other drugs may be subject to limited medicinal use (1 Tim. 5:23), but when used for the pleasure of their intoxicating effects are dangerous and sinful. It is often supposed that every occurrence of the word “wine” in scripture refers to an intoxicating drink, but as Young’s Analytical Concordance says the Bible term means “wine, grape juice,” “what is pressed out, grape juice” (p. 1058). The use of wine in each separate context clarifies whether the reference is to an intoxicating or non-intoxicating drink. For instance, Jesus did not contribute to reveling and debauchery in John 2:1-10 by making a liquor (150 gals!), but He made the freshest and purest grape juice ever tasted by man. “It is utterly impossible . . . to imagine Jesus being present in a tipsy crowd, to say nothing of aiding such carousing by his first miracle” (R.C.H. Lenski, John’s Gospel, p. 197).

1 Pet. 4:3 condemns as sinful (1) the debauchery in “excess of wine” or the drunken stupor, (2) “revelings” or intoxicated party making, and (3) “banquetings.” Banquetings is translated from a word which means simply “drinking,” without reference to amount. It is drinking parties but not drunken parties. R.C. Trench, an authority on Greek terms, said in Synonyms of the New Testament that banqueting is drinking “not of necessity excessive,” though it is related to drunkenness and reveling because it is the first step which gives “opportunity for excess” (p. 211). This, then, is the cocktail party drinking, sipping the intoxicant, “having a few drinks with the boys,” social drinking! Such practices belong to the old life of sin, not to the will of God.

Why is this so important? We must be always “sober” in watching for Satan’s attempts to destroy us through temptation (1 Pet. 5:8). Sober “signifies to be free from the influence of intoxicants” and therefore clear-minded, in full control of one’s senses, powers, and judgment at all times (see W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vol. IV, p. 44). “The effects” of alcohol begin “after the consumption of 1 or 2 beers or 1 or 2 cocktails,” as doctors have pointed out (see James D. Bales, The Deacon and His Work, p. 33); the American Automobile Association textbook Sportsmanlike Driving points out that “the `higher’ centers of judgment and reason are impaired” starting after “the first drink” (pp. 67-68). All Christians, certainly elders, deacons, and their wives, should be “vigilant” or “sober” in abstaining from wine with its intoxicating effects (1 Tim. 3:2, 11). Mental, moral, spiritual alertness is essential if we are to resist Satan.

Social drinking should never be found among God’s people; when it is, it must be repented of and put away or else the church must purify itself by disciplinary action (1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6).Alien sinners need to repent of all sinful use of intoxicants, along with every form of evil, and to be baptized in water for the remission of sins in the blood of Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

Truth Magazine XXII: 37, p. 604
September 21, 1978

By Leslie Diestelkamp

The Family Room

That room in a considerable percentage of new houses that has been designated “The Family Room” is of relatively recent origin. At least it has come to a maximum of popularity in the last two or three decades. Sometimes it is furnished much more comfortably and realistically than other rooms, and it is designed as a place of maximum relaxation and as a facility for ideal family association.

Under these relatively ideal circumstances there is certainly opportunity for a joyful and a rewarding togetherness of husbands and wives and of parents and children. The deep, soft carpets, the various comfort chairs, the clean paneled walls, suitable pictures on the walls-all of these plus other various facilities-produce a circumstance and an atmosphere that is altogether conducive to pleasant, happy days and nights of family circle events.

Face The Facts

But let us take an inventory. What has happened to the average family since the advent of the popular family room? Indeed, it has been a one-way street, a constant deteriorating process, a seemingly irreversible trend away from a close family association. Why should this be true? With much better facilities and with much greater opportunities, why has the family so frequently fallen apart? Why is there now so much more alienation of husbands and wives and of parents and children? Perhaps it may be well to consider some reasons for such failures:

I. In many households, the family room may have become a substitute for a family circle. In other words, men may have built family rooms to substitute for the care and concern, the devotion and dedication, the love and loyalty that they really owe their families. It may have seemed easier to provide facilities than to supply family leadership. But we need to remember that all the facilities we may buy with money, even indoor swimming pools, game rooms, etc., will never take the place of love and affection nor will such facilities replace direction and discipline.

2. The family room can sometimes provide the setting for togetherness physically but complete separation emotionally, mentally and spiritually. This is what I mean: we may sit in the same room for hours, almost unaware of each other while our attention is glued to a television program. And we may be naive enough to believe we are providing a situation of “togetherness.” Indeed, we may all be able to recite the names of all the actors on the Hollywood stages, while at the same time we may barely know the nature, the desire, the longing of each other!

3. We may become involved in a family room lifestyle that defeats the very intended purpose of that facility. When T.V. dinners are eaten on T.V. trays so that no one will miss “the show,” then we have missed the greater opportunity for significant togetherness when we should have all sat around the same dining table at the same time. When junior refuses to come to the table because he will not leave the T.V. and when family “communication” (conversation) is sacrificed at the altar of entertainment, then the family room is a curse, not a blessing as it should have been.

Doing Together

In these affluent times when money is so plentiful, it may usually be easier to provide “things” for our family than to supply association among ourselves. And this may be the real cause of the un-doing of the family structure that is so vital to happiness and success. This inclination to pay the price in money instead of in attention and care has been exploited by the toy industry, so much so that many families spend hundreds of dollars annually for those super-duper toys that are intended to entertain the children and spare the parents that responsibility.

So, some may ask, “What can we do together?” Well, if your children are already addicted to the expensive toys and if they are already caught up in the permissive self-sufficiency that rebels against parental guidance, it may be exceedingly difficult to do anything that will salvage the family circle. But if you still have time-if your children are small or still unspoiled by the affluence of our times, there are many things you can do to promote a happy, healthy family relationship.

For instance:

Go together! Go hiking or cycling together. Go picnicking together. Go camping together. Go, together, to any decent kinds of recreation and entertainment. Find a private place and go swimming together. Work together, play together, read together, and especially worship together. And remember, every one of these items and dozens of others can provide a real base for closeness and communication, a real foundation for like-mindedness and mutual joyfulness.

But also, stay home together. Make your home a sanctuary! Let your house be a haven for the whole family-a place of refuge from the ugly and vile things of the world outside, a place of security from the violent and turbulent affairs even nearby. Let it be a shelter from the storms of life. Most of all, let the home be a place of release from tensions, a quiet resort, a jubilant group-action of people mutually devoted to the same ideals and to each other.

The family circumstance that I have tried to portray can be a happy, secure, serene association even while living in a shack by the side of the road, in a humble cottage or crowded apartment. If attitudes are right, the house and its facilities make little difference. If attitudes are wrong, all the facilities in the world will not make a happy, successful family circle. If your family room consists of the kitchen, the living room or the front porch, or if it is indeed a luxurious special room, you can make it a source of satisfaction for the family and of approval by God. Do it today, for the sake of all those souls involved at your house!

Truth Magazine XXII: 38, pp. 618-619
September 28, 1978

By Carol R. Lumpkin

Baptism is not for any and every one. It is for believers only. It is only for those who have matured enough to surrender themselves to Jesus. It is only for those who know their guilt of sin and desire it to be removed. Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). Only believers may be baptized. This rules out babies and the uninformed.

Babies are sinless! Infants and small children do not need baptism for they are not guilty of sin. Sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 Jn. 3:4). Since little children cannot know the law, they cannot sin. Jesus affirmed the innocence of little children, when He said; “Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14).

A child is born without sin. He does not bear the guilt of Adam’s sin. A child does not bear the sin of his parents. A child may reap the results of his father’s sin, but he is not accountable, or guilty, for them. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father. . . ” (Ezek. 18:20).

It is a perverted, non-biblical view of man that allows the doctrine of “total depravity.” Man was created without sin. A child is born without sin. Every person born into this world remains good until he or she individually sins. Babies are not little devils in sin. They are innocent, safe and pure before God (Matt. 18:1-3).

Infant baptism is based upon the false doctrine that babies are born sinners and need baptism to remove those sins. The doctrine of children being born in sin was introduced by Augustine in the fifth century. The need for infant baptism grew out of this false concept. Many people who now practice infant baptism no longer believe the “total depravity” doctrine. To reject that doctrine should also lead them to reject infant baptism.

Who can be baptized? This question, parents often ask. How old must my child be before he can be baptized? To answer this, other questions, must be asked. How much about Jesus does your child know? What does he know about sin? Does he know why he must be baptized? For what purpose is baptism? Before a person may be scripturally baptized, he must believe that Jesus not only lived, but that he died, was buried and resurrected from the grave (1 Cor. 15:1-4). These facts must be believed. The person desiring baptism must believe in Jesus (Jn. 8:24); repent of his sins (Lk. 13:3); confess Christ as God’s Son (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (Acts 2:38).

Jesus commanded His apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:16). Those who were taught and became believers could request baptism. When Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch, he believed and requested baptism (Acts 8:3538).

Infants are not born sinners. Infants cannot be taught the word of God. Infants cannot believe the word of God and request baptism. Baptism is for believers only.

Truth Magazine XXII: 37, p. 594
September 21, 1978