Truth Magazine

By Bob Dodson

The “inspired word of God” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) pays royal tribute unto God’s “grand and glorious” son as the “one and only” big name preacher who ever graced this earth by His “sinless life and truthful message” (1 John 3:5; John 18:37). The purpose of this article is to “glorify” the Lord Jesus Christ and “praise” Him for the monumental achievements that He accomplished. There never has been nor ever shall be “another gospel preacher” that reached the pinnacles of “divine approval” as did Jesus Christ (Matt. 17:5). Below you will find listed for your consideration and study many of these great and notable deeds which the Lord “only” has performed, and which none other could ever do (Acts 2:22-24). It is our prayer and desire that this study will lead us to using the expression “big name preacher” correctly. Since in “all things” Jesus Christ does have preeminence according to Scripture (Col. 1:18), He most assuredly is preeminent among “gospel preachers.” He “alone” deserves this exaltation and none shall ever be his “equal!” For us to refer to “mere mortal” (that is any gospel preacher of the past, present, or future) as the big name preacher surely constitutes “robbery!” This “robs” Jesus Christ of His distinction of being worthy of “all” glory, and honor, and praise, and blessing (Rev. 5:9-12). He alone has a “name” that is above every other name (Acts 4:12).

Origination

The beloved apostle Paul declared by the Spirit that Jesus Christ was the architect and builder of this great universe (Col. 1:15-17). He surely did “create the heavens and the earth and all things therein!” He is both the originator of the universe, and the “original” cause of all creation (John 1:1-4). His work as the Creator gives Him the right to be “blessed forever” (Rom. 1:25). This “monumental task” absolutely beyond measure “evidences” His everlasting power and deity (Rom. 1:20). Moreover this big name preacher “upholds all things” (sustains this living and intelligent universe) by the “Word of His power” (Heb. 1:3)!

Predestination

John the beloved reveals the “high and holy” purpose of the Son of God as that of “destroying ‘the Devil and his works” (1 John 3:8). Jesus Christ was “predestined for greatness” by virtue of the most important “task” and most difficult “task” ever given to anyone in the history of “time” (Heb. 2:9-15)! He met every challenge that He faced in the form of “temptation” and was found without sin (Heb. 4:15). He fought with Satan and “bound him” and He “spoiled his goods” (Matt. 12:27-30). He was God’s prophet (Deut. 18:15-22) who revealed unto “mankind” the exceeding riches of God’s grace (Eph. 2:4-10). He fulfilled God’s eternal purpose in building and establishing the “church” of Christ (Eph. 3:1-11) which is the “Kingdom of God” (Col. 1:13-14). Jesus Christ was “predestined for supremacy” and never once faltered in obeying His Father, and hence God has exalted Him and given Him a name greater than all others (Acts 4:12)! This big name preacher “heads” all principalities and powers (1 Pet. 3:22).

Divestation

Truly the “greatest” account of humility in all history is that of Jesus Christ manifesting “sacrifice without equality” (Phil. 2:5-11). He “emptied” Himself of being deity and clothed Himself with the “likeness” of humanity. The great Creator became the “creature” (Gen. 1:26-28). Being God He was to be served, but He became Himself a “servant” in order to die for the sins of men (Matt. 26:28). This is truly “divestation without. limitation” (2 Cor. 8:9)! He was truly rich but for the sake of sinful man He became poor, that man might through His poverty become “rich” indeed spiritually! He “humbled Himself” and became obedient unto the “death of the cross.” Surely He does possess the right to demand of us to “deny ourselves” to follow Him (Luke 9:23). This big name preacher “tasted of death” for every man (Heb. 2:9).

Foreordination

The apostle Peter declared by the Spirit that Jesus Christ was “foreordained” before the foundations of the world to be the “atonement” for the sins of mankind (1 Pet. 1:18-20). John the Baptist said as he beheld Jesus walking, “Behold the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Let us thank God that He has laid upon His Son the “iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:3-6). The “vicarious death” of the Lord Jesus Christ was a product of the “determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:22-24). Every event in the history of this world is “centered” around Jesus Christ as God purposed to “sum up all things” in Him (Eph. 1:10). Everyone who chooses to obey the “gospel of Christ” (Rom. 1:16-17) is adopted by God through God’s Son (Eph. 1:3-7). This big name preacher fulfilled every “prophecy” of Him (Luke 24:44).

Legislation

One of God’s seers prophesied that Jesus Christ would be a “governor” (Micah 5:2). Another great prophet of God said that the “government would be upon his shoulder” (Is. 9:6-7). He was prophesied to be the “governor” of the Kingdom of God that Daniel mentioned in his great book (Dan. 2:44). In the New Testament we find that the Lord Jesus Christ “openly states” that the “church” of Christ, is the Kingdom of God (Matt. 16:18-19). He was also prophesied to be the “governor” or ruler of the Kings of the earth (Ps. 2:512). Therefore, in “essence” Jesus Christ is the “legislator” of the “entire universe”, and His will surely “legislates” every event according to his divine providence (Rev. 1:5-7). He has “legislated” His will for all mankind in that which is called the “gospel of Christ” (Rom. 1:16-17). His “legislation” is law and must be obeyed by everyone in order to obtain everlasting life and escape eternal punishment (2 Thess. 1:7-9). This big name preacher will judge all (2 Cor. 5:10-11)!

Proclamation

In prophecy Jesus Christ is announced to be God’s messenger who would “proclaim” liberty from sin for a “sin-cursed world” (Is. 61:1-3). He is most assuredly God’s divine “proclaimer” (Luke 4:16-19) of the “mercy and long-suffering” of God toward man (2 Pet. 3:15). His “proclaimation” is the truth that sets men free from sin (John 8:31-32). Jesus Christ did “proclaim” very beautifully and accurately the way and the truth and the life that will lead each man from earth to heaven (John 14:6). This “heavenly proclaimator” has provided all mankind a “spiritual roadmap” that will lead them to everlasting happiness with God (Rev. 22:14). This map (New Testament) is so simple and easy to follow that “way-faring men though fools, should not err therein” (Is. 35:8). In this big name preacher is “hidden” all of God’s wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). Jesus Christ “proclaimed” that everyone who “hears his words and obeys them” is wise. But everyone who “hears his sayings and rejects them” is foolish (Matt. 7:24-27).

Interpretation

Truly the divine “announcement” from the angel of the Lord, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ at His birth, signifies His “greatness” (Matt. 1:18-23). He was called Emmanuel which is interpreted “God with us!” This was in fulfillment of (Isa. 7:14). The “God of eternity” (Ps. 90:1-2) became flesh and “dwelt among men” (John 1:14). He interpreted unto man the great “mystery of godliness” (1 Tim. 3:16). He is the “word” (John 1:1-2) who became “incarnate in man!” He “interpreted perfectly” God’s precepts unto man through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9-13). This big name preacher surely interpreted unto man “God’s righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:13-24).

Personification

Jesus Christ “personified” deity on this earth, as He progressed through the “land of the living” (Heb. 1:1-3). His every thought and word and deed was a glorious tribute to the “majestic righteousness” of God (Eph. 4:20-24). Every personal circumstance of His life reflected that “God is no respector of persons” (Matt. 22:15-16). His “overwhelming compassion” for the sinner never caused the Lord to compromise the truth about “sin” (John 8:3-11). He truly could and did “read the hearts and the minds of men” (Mark 2:1-11) which is a “peculiar trademark” of God and Him “only” according to the scriptures (1 John 3:20)! As the “ambassador” of His Father, He certainly “personified” the greatest of truths (John 3:16-21). Truly Jesus Christ spoke the truth when He said that “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:7-9). Indeed the Lord “personified” deity through His condemnation of the “hypocrisy” of the “scribes and Pharisees” (Matt. 23:139)! This big name preacher demonstrated always that He “loved righteousness and hated iniquity” (Heb. 1:89)!

Determination

It has been said that “the worth and value of someone” can best be determined by the amount of opposition that it takes to defeat him. Jesus Christ passes this great test with “flying colors”, for our Lord never “gave place to the Devil” (Eph. 4:27). He was “more determined” to glorify His Father in heaven and do His will, than Satan was “determined” to deceive Christ and cause Him to “sin” (Matt. 4:1-10). It was by “sheer determination” that Jesus Christ was able to “die for the sins of men” apart from any assistance from His Father (Matt. 27:46). His “concentration” on the goal set before Him never waned (1 Pet. 2:21-24). By intensive determination He was the big name preacher who endured the cross, while despising the shame (Heb. 12:13)!

Authorization

Jesus Christ taught people as one “having” authority and not as the scribes (Matt. 7:28-29). He cast out the strongest and meanest of evil spirits by the awesome “power” of His word (Mark 1:27). He is the “possessor” of all “authority” in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:1820). He delegated this “authority” in some measure to His apostles when He directed them to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15-16). Jesus Christ said that “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not (this command) shall be damned!” Jesus Christ is the “author and perfecter” of the people on earth who chose to obey His teaching (Heb. 12:1-2). His divine “authority” comes from the Father and those who fail to heed His “doctrine” sever themselves from grace (Gal. 5:4, 2 John 9). When this big name preacher comes to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31), He will have “put down” all rule and authority and power (1 Cor. 15:24). The last enemy “death” also will be destroyed by Him that hath the “keys of death and of hades” (Rev. 1:17-18).

Recognition

He “fully realized” that the scripture cannot be “broken” (John 10:34). Time and again He pointed to Himself and the events that transpired in His life as the “fulfilling” of the “scriptures” (Luke 24:44-49). He was able to “recognize” every appearance of evil that Satan sent against Him and resisted the Devil (1 Thess. 5:22, Jas. 4:6-8). He certainly “recognized” the need for continual learning of God’s divine laws (Luke 2:40,52). He amazed the lawyers in the Temple with His knowledge and wisdom of God’s word (Luke 2:42-48). This big name preacher possessed perfect recognition of His goal while He walked in the flesh (John 12:23-27).

Truth Magazine XXII: 34, pp. 549-550
August 31, 1978

By Larry Ray Hafley

This time we are drawing a bead on a Pentecostal charge of inconsistency. The charismatics say we are inconsistent for selecting New Testament cases of conversion and holding them up as examples while throwing out the miraculous content. They say this is like those who believe everything in the Bible except the miracles. If we are going to use the conversion accounts to bind baptism, then we ought to do the same with respect to miracles. Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, and 16 are prominent passages which are used to set forth the gospel conditions of salvation. To be consistent we must accept the miraculous activity, too, or so the Pentecostals alledge.

First, we accept the miracles: I do not know of single Christian who denies the miracles of Acts or any other book in the Bible. However, if acceptance means occurrence today, who has heard the sound as of a rushing, mighty wind, but no one’s hair is blown out of place! Where are the cloven tongues like as of fire? Where are living apostles equal to Peter and John to lay hands on disciples that they might receive the Holy Spirit? Further, after Peter raised Dorcas from the dead, it was widely publicized and “many believed on the Lord” (Acts 9:40-42). Let us not stop with a few tongues; why not have some raising of the dead if we must have the miracles as well as the baptism, according to the Pentecostal charge.

Second, why do some Pentecostals deny the essentiality of water baptism but accept miracles? If we must have miraculous activity because miracles are recorded as a part of the conversion accounts, then they must accept the essentiality of baptism (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 8:35-39; 16:30-34; 10:47, 48). So, if we are inconsistent for accepting baptism but “denying” miracles, they are inconsistent for claiming miracles but denying the place of water baptism.

Third, we can show that water baptism is to continue until the Lord returns. Just as long as men need to be saved from their sins, just that long will baptism be necessary (Mk. 16:16). However, miracles were limited as to purpose. We can show when they were to cease (Mk. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 13:8-13; Heb. 2:3, 4).

Truth Magazine XXII: 34, p. 546
August 31, 1978

By Carol R. Lumpkin

Have you been baptized as Jesus commanded? Jesus made baptism a must for all who would be His disciples. This was true in the first century, and remains true today. Jesus informed Nicodemus that baptism was a must in order to enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus was a Jew, one of God’s chosen people; yet, he was not in God’s kingdom. Jesus said, “verily, verily, I say unto thee, except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:5). The only birth which combines the elements of water with the Spirit of God is baptism in water.

Nicodemus was surprised when Jesus required a birth in water and the Spirit to enter God’s kingdom. Even today, people are surprised that Jesus requires baptism for salvation. In order for a lost .person (a sinner) to realize a new life in Christ, he must be born again. “Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born anew” (Jn. 3:7).

Before Jesus left this earth for heaven, He said; “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). We observe this in action when Peter said, “Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto (for) the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us. . . ” (1 Pet. 3:21). The apostle Peter preached that baptism was necessary for one to be saved.

The apostles all preached the same gospel. This was unlike modern day preachers who differ in their preaching. One will teach that baptism is essential; while many others will say it is non-essential. Paul wrote on the necessity of baptism for those who would be saved; in fact he himself had to be baptized to be saved. “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Baptism was a necessity for Paul to have sins washed away, or forgiven. Let us not believe it is not also necessary today.

Paul describes baptism in his letter to the Romans. “Know ye not, 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” (Rom. 6:3-4).

Jesus described baptism as a birth in water and in Spirit which brings the saved into a new life. Peter shows us that our salvation is a likeness unto Noah’s salvation. Noah was saved by water and so are we (1 Pet. 3:21). Paul shows baptism to be a burial in water and a resurrection there from to walk in newness of life.

There is no verse any plainer to be found in the New Testament than that in Mark 16:16. “He that believeth and. is baptized shall be saved.” This verse coincides with what Peter, Paul, and other inspired men said and wrote on the subject. Someone cries out, baptism is not a commandment; and therefore it is not necessary. Peter said: “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (by His authority)” (Acts. 10:48).

Baptism is a must for every one who desires entrance into the kingdom of God. No person is permitted to enter the kingdom unless he first hears and obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus declared that both “belief and baptism” saves (Mk. 16:16).

Truth Magazine XXII: 34, p. 553
August 31, 1978

By Dennis C. Abernathy

In Matt. 28:19, 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 Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” In Mark 16:15-16, He 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.” The understanding of these verses is very simple. They are not hard to understand, but to some, the hardness comes in the doing of what Jesus said.

We sit back and expect the people to flock to our church buildings so we can preach to them and, therefore, convert them. This is good, if we can get people to come to the services, but Jesus told you and me (my dear brother and sister) to go! Actually, before people will come we must first go. But to go, takes effort and time-in short, some sacrifice on our part. Do we want to do it? Not many of us, I am afraid. This is sad.

So a preacher is considering a new work (perhaps the church is very small) and brethren (perhaps preachers who have been there before) will say that the people in that city just are not interested in the gospel. I for one, do not believe it! I do not say we should not warn of pitfalls, problems, etc. and that we should not listen to good sound, knowledgeable advice, but my friend “they’re there, if we will just teach them.”

Surely we need not think that everyone will accept the truth (even Jesus could not get all men to accept it) but some will-these are the ones we must find. We must go where the people are and teach them where we find them. They may be the very poor, the successful business man, the very wealthy, the young and the old, the black and the white. But one thing is sure, all have a soul; all have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and sin will cause one to be lost in hell (Rom. 6:23)!

We have a tendency to pick out the people we want to teach. But Jesus said “all the world” and “every creature.” Actually, the selection has been made for us, we must do the teaching, the planting and the watering. God will take care of the increase. Do not worry about the number of converts. God deserves the glory anyway and He is not unmindful of our efforts because we are laborers together with God (1 Cor. 3:6-9). Let each of us do the very best we can. God does not expect more than we are able and capable of doing, but He does expect all we are able and capable of doing! May we just make our feeble effort “to do what we can” to reach others with the gospel. Our labor will not be in vain (1 Cor. 15:58) and God will be pleased.

It is about like my mother used to tell me when I was a little boy and we would go to the cotton patch in the morning. I would say, “Where is the cotton?” Her reply would be, “It is out there (the field) you just have to get out there in it.” Well, when it comes to teaching the gospel-“they’re out there, let us just get out there with them and teach them.”

Truth Magazine XXII: 32, p. 521
August 17, 1978