Truth Magazine

By William V. Beasley

The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross on Golgotha hill was the price of redemption (Eph. 1:7) paid for the souls of mankind. Salvation today is impossible without reaching the cleansing power of that shed blood-“. . .apart from shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb. 9:22).

Jesus “loosed us from our sins by his blood” (Rev. 1:5). Since we “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), and since “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), we can fully appreciate and say with Peter that the blood of the Savior is “precious blood” (1 Pet. 1:19). This “precious blood”, necessary for man to have forgiveness from sin, also purchased the church of Christ (“. . .to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood”-Acts 20:28). This was not a second benefit of the blood being shed but is, in fact, identical to sins being forgiven. Those redeemed from sin, by the blood of Christ, constitute the one church “which he purchased with his own blood.”

Salvation outside the church is equal to salvation without the blood of Christ. Such is, according to God’s word, impossible. Those saved by Christ’s blood (when they obey Jesus-Acts 2:38) are, by the Lord, added to His church (Acts 2:41-KJV). The blood of Christ was “poured out. . .unto remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). Baptism, in obedience to the commandment of Jesus, is also “unto remission of sin” (Acts 2:38). The shedding of the blood of Christ and baptism occupy a similar relation to remission of sins. Both were and are necessary!

Truth Magazine XXII: 32, p. 519
August 17, 1978

By Ron Halbrook

When someone we know and love dies, we stop to survey his life and to remember the impressions he has made upon us. “What did this person leave behind?” we ask ourselves. Sober thought on such occasions can help us to reflect as well upon our own lives. All of us are approaching death-“for it is appointed unto man once to die” (Heb. 9:27)-and, then, what will we leave behind? Certainly all worldly riches, honors, pleasures, and interests will be left behind, so far as our participation in them is concerned (Eccl. 9:4-6). All those things will be utterly lost when the heavens, the elements, “the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). Temporal things left to another person ultimately do not endure.

Our deeds done in the body, whether good or evil, will go with us to the Judgment and into eternity (Eccl. 12:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, Jesus teaches us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20). While our attitudes and actions go with us into eternity, at the same time they remain as a blessing or a curse here in earth. The one treasure we can leave behind that will truly endure, do only good, and enrich other lives is the imprint of Divine truth, sealed into the hearts and lives of our fellow men. It is the treasure of a godly example, good influence, encouragement given in spiritual things, seeds of truth and righteousness and godliness sown thousands of times by the life of a Christian. Several personal incidents and some illustrations of the battle between truth and error show what is left behind by Gardner S. Hall, Sr. (1906-1978).

Adorning the Doctrine

A person did not have to be around Brother Hall a great deal to benefit from the spiritual riches which he shared with others. Someone has said that a gospel preacher is one beggar telling other beggars where to find food. Brother Hall had no spiritual food, clothing, or other wealth in and of himself, but he delighted to tell the Good News of a Savior who is rich enough to save all who come. Yet, it is not enough to simply preach and profess the Gospel; we must exemplify it. Those who stand in public can by their own ungodliness give “great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” (2 Sam. 12:14).

By taking the Savior’s example as the standard of life, Brother Hall “adorn(ed) the doctrine of God our Savior” and walked “in the beauty of holiness” (Tit. 2:10; 1 Chron. 16:29). As he preached Jesus Christ from place to place, he did not leave behind a trail of dishonesty and immorality. His reputation was clean because his character was pure. He was not “satisfied to achieve a mere reputation without achieving the character to sustain it. The mere love of reputation, of self advertisement, and desire to have one’s name `stand rubric on the wall,’ is one of the deadliest forms of vanity that ever cursed the children of men.”(1) He was highly respected because he lived by high standards.

We are not thinking of man “above that which is written” when we recognize the salt, light, and leaven of a godly life (1 Cor. 4:6; Matt. 5:13-16; cf. 16:6-12). Jesus said that such a life glorifies the heavenly Father. When we take the Christ as our Redeemer, King, and Example, He is glorified and not we ourselves. It is right to be disgusted by the example of hypocrisy and corruption. It is also right to be inspired by the example of sincerity and truth. Let us determine not only to teach the truth to lost souls all around us but also to live and practice the truth we preach, “that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Tim. 6:1; Tit. 2:8). “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20).

Blessing the Unborn

Gardner S. Hall left true wealth in his family. His children are faithful Christians and gospel preachers in an age noted for its doubt and confusion. His own grandchildren, one of whom bears his name, are walking in the same paths. Many other families have been touched by his labors.

Only in very recent years did I learn that he baptized my mother, Lola Nelwyn (Nason) Halbrook. About 1944, when Brother Hall was preaching in Jackson, Mississippi, my parents drove from Belzoni to see him and he baptized her there in Jackson. This was a couple of years before my birth and I never came to know him until his later years when he moved to Athens, Alabama (my home 1967-1973). The arrogance which sometimes characterizes youth, even in the church, evaporates in the realization that our opportunities rest upon the labors of those who went before us. When we preach and live the truth, we bless not only our contemporaries but also unborn generations.

“Do Not Sin Against the Child”

The week of 15 August, 1971, Gardner S. Hall held a gospel meeting at the Wooley Springs church of Christ in Limestone County, Alabama, where I preached regularly. Two were baptized, one a mature lady, the other a young girl. Among his fine lessons was one in which he stressed our influence upon the young, pointing out Reuben’s plea to his brothers when they abused Joseph: “Do not sin against the child” (Gen. 42:22). It is sad to see children led into sin at earlier and earlier ages in our society. Teenage drinking is now a recognized social problem, even to the extent of alcoholism; Satan is literally enslaving these precious souls before they reach full maturity in life.

Parents, even in the church, can easily take children for granted. We may easily assume they will learn “enough” truth in Bible classes; therefore, we may fail to study and pray with them personally (Eph. 6:4). We may put material goals ahead of spiritual and thus offer our children on the altar of Materialism (Matt. 6:24-34). Loving discipline may be neglected because of our selfishness (“I don’t have time to fool with you”), and the child’s errors treated so impatiently and bitterly as to drive him from truth (Col. 3:21). Now that I have two sons, I cannot-I must not-forget Brother Hall’s admonition, “Do not sin against the child.”

The Importance of Prayer

Gardner S. Hall did much good through radio preaching. I once heard him on station WJMW in Athens as he preached on prayer. The lesson was simple and practical. His thoughts are echoed in the following remarks on how to improve public prayer:

1. Pray often in private so that you will be familiar with God and used to speaking to Him. Then when you lead prayer, think of Him (as you would any other time) and not of men (Ps. 88:1).

2. Do not make a sermon of the prayer. It is true that prayer is to be understood by all being led, and it will edify them. But it is silly to pray (to God) by preaching (to people) as though God needed the reproving and rebuking people need (Jas. 1:13b)!

3. Do not try to be eloquent. Be sincere, fervent, humble, and respectful in talking to God as you would at any time; if you do that, it does not matter what men think about fancy words.

4. Give careful thought to what you say. Pray that we may prepare our lessons or may always worship acceptably, instead of that “we may have” done such; it is too late if we have not! When praying at the Lord’s table, do not pray the same prayer you would at the close of worship; think of the specific occasion of the prayer.(2)

A person who is too busy to pray can never be close to God. That includes preachers! In spreading the gospel, the Apostles devoted themselves “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Wild-eyed schemes for getting close to God about intense emotionalism, mystical experiences, hallucinogenic drugs, special mental and physical exercises, ad infinitum. The way for intelligent beings to be close in relationship is simplicity itself: spending time together in thought, conversation, and work toward common goals. We listen to God when we study His Word and we are workers together with Him as we obey that Word; in prayer we talk to God. The simple and direct expression to God those things on our heart draw us closer to His heart (Phil. 4:6-7).

Truth Magazine XXII: 32, pp. 522-523
August 17, 1978

1. Edward Ward Carmack, Character or The Making of the Man (Nashville, Tenn.: McQuiddy Printing Co., 1909; reprint Nashville, Tenn.: S.and S. Printing Co., 1974), p. 17. Carmack (1858-1908) was baptized by Granville Lipscomb. David Lipscomb though Carmack would be one of the greatest preachers of the church but he turned to law and politics instead. He was restored in a 1904 gospel meeting at Columbia, Tenn., by E.A. Elam. While editor of the Nashville Tennessian, Carmack was shot down on the streets of Nashville during a political war; his statue is on the state capitol grounds. See Earl Irvin West, The Life and Timees of David Lipscomb (Henderson, Tenn.: Religious Book Service, 1954), pp. 51-52 and David Lipscomb, “Religion and Politics – Church and State,” Gospel Advocate LII (8 Dec., 1910): 1364.

2. ‘Ron Halbrook, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray,” Broadmoor Beacon (bulletin published by Broadmoor Church of Christ, Nashville, Tenn.) III (11 Nov., 1974):3-4. Credit was given to brother Hall in the article; the suggestions are his though I reworded them.

By Dennis L. Shaver

Hour glasses, sun dials, clocks, wrist watches, etc . . .; man is time conscious. We set times for worship, times for business appointments, times for recreation, times for rest, etc . . . . How many times has a complete stranger asked you, “Do you have the time?” Yes, we are time conscious . . .or are we?

Time is more than the hour of the day. It also refers to the period man is allotted upon this earth. And in this respect I fear that man is not time conscious. Too many are living life so busily that, they have no time to consider this aspect of life. We will not be in this earthly existence forever. Just as the sand in an hour glass runs out, so will our life. Each day we live, each breath we take draws us closer to the end of our time. Am I really time conscious? How do I use my time?

Man’s existence upon this earth must be used to prepare himself for a never ending existence-life eternal. If this is not our purpose, or how we use our time, then we are wasting our most precious God given possession, time. We make schedules daily, we set goals we desire to attain, and we work to see that these schedules of time are met. May I ask a question? Have you set a schedule or a goal for your spiritual development? I think I can say without too much fear of contradiction that most Christians are simply gliding along and have not set any particular goals for their spiritual growth. Paul said, “For when for the time ye ought to have been teachers, ye need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have exercised their senses to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:12-14).

According to Paul there comes a time in our life when we ought to be teachers of God’s will. May I ask, are you able to teach others now? Do you plan to train others? You do! May I ask when? You say sometime! That is exactly what I am talking about. You do not have a goal, or a schedule, do you? And, if you are like most Christians you will read this article and still will not set any goals (spiritually) for yourself. I wonder, do you expect to just someday become a teacher? Do you think it just happens? Far too many of my brethren sit in a Bible class for a number of years and all of a sudden they become a teacher! And you know what they teach? What they have heard, be it truth or error!

I appeal to you brethren, use your time wisely! If you want to teach the lost, strengthen your brethren, and live a stronger life in Christ, become time conscious. Make a decision on what you desire to do in God’s kingdom. Do you want to be a Bible class teacher? Is your desire to bring many in His kingdom? Do you want to be an elder? What is your goal? After you make your decision use your time wisely to reach your goal. It will not happen sitting in a Bible class on Sunday and Wednesday, or listening to a preacher twice a week. Teachers are not born, they are made with desire, work, and determination.

We cannot know how much time we have left on this side of eternity. But this is certain, each breath I take brings me closer to it. My time must be used wisely and in service to my Creator. Look around you. See your brethren who need strength; see the lost who are dying without Him; and examine your own life. Time, begin using it wisely today for the time is fast approaching “when no man can work” (Jn. 9:4).

Truth Magazine XXII: 32, p. 514
August 17, 1978

By Daniel H. King

Many years ago, a lone Galilean visited the city of Jerusalem. He probably went altogether unnoticed as He tramped His way down the dusty streets through the hordes of humanity that thronged its boulevards and alleys and open-air markets during the religious holidays. And this was Passover, a time when pilgrims numbering considerably more than its approximately 25,000 inhabitants packed into the ancient town. They brought with them their money-money that would be spent on the rites of their religion as well as the other things that sight-seers and vacationers waste their wealth for when they surmise that this may be their only visit to a particular alignment place. Of course, the opportunists were there waiting for them, ready to prey upon their religiosity and good intentions. In fact, the religious leaders saw no harm in their presence. They had even allowed them to ply their trade in the Temple itself-the house of worship and prayer.

The man called Jesus, a carpenter from Nazareth, finally made His way to the great white mountain that monopolized the rough Palestinian landscape and entered its porticoed, colonnaded and gilded environs. This was the Temple of Herod. Its sheer majesty made it one of the colossal wonders of the world at that time.

A long flight of steps brought him into the first of several enclosures, the so-called “Court of the Gentiles.” The “Women’s Court,” the “Court of Israel,” and the “Priest’s Court” all lay beyond His view. All of the sacred acts of worship took place deep within these “Inner Sancta.” Nine gates guarded those regions from the view of any who desired to know their secrets. A sign at the first gate warned that none but a Jew could pass beyond it or death would be the consequence.

However, what caught the eye and ear of the Galilean as He entered was a most obtrusive uproar and sights that one should not expect in so sacred a place. Especially since this was the only court into which the foreigner could enter! For therein were arranged the booths and tables of the merchants who sold the sacrificial animals and those who exchanged the foreign currency for the Tyrian coinage which alone was acceptable tender here. The noise resembled the cacophony that ascends from a marketplace and a stockyard combined.

All at once, the visage of the carpenter changed. There arose in His soul an indignation akin to that which characterized the ire of the prophets and the God who inspired their fury in the times long passed. Indeed, it grew in intensity as He fashioned a whip out of twisted rushes from the scattered fodder and litter of the cattle. The finished product was more of a symbol than a weapon but all would know its meaning.

Up to this point, none had given attention to His presence here. But suddenly that situation changed. With the force of an army, He single-handedly purged the entire area: He chased the merchants and their animals out, overturned the tables of the money-changers, poured out their ill-gotten gains onto the stone pavement and reprimanded the pigeon-dealers thusly: “Take these things away! Do not turn my Father’s house into a market!” (Jn. 2:16).

The shock value of this action on His part was total. The Jews were incredulous, even demanding a sign to demonstrate that He was a genuine prophet. But His disciples remembered the words of another divine prophet, “My zeal for Thy house will consume me” (Ps. 69:9).

A close study of the Gospels demonstrates that Jesus purged the temple in this fashion on two separate occasions. He did so once early in His ministry (here in John 2), and once just prior to His crucifixion and death (Matt. 21:12-13 and parallels). Now, I think that very few of those who profess to be disciples of Jesus would be willing to accept the consequences of a present-day visit to their house of worship. But what if He did visit? What would that visit be like?

Would it turn out to be a purge? Would he find it necessary to chase out the musicians and entertainers, the magicians and karate-experts, the diners and the dancers, the bar-tenders and the boozers? Would he overturn the bingo-tables and pour out the lottery tickets and the gambling chips? Would he rebuke the minister with the words, “Make not my Father’s house a house of entertainment”?

With the present condition of religion in general there is a very good chance that this might accurately describe what the Lord would find and what He would do in the house where you worship. If so, then you had better do your house cleaning before the Lord does arrive, or else find another place to worship!

Truth Magazine XXII: 31, p. 505
August 10, 1978