Truth Magazine

By Bobby L. Graham

This abominable product of one man, one of the darling productions of denominationalists, makes every effort to write the denominational creeds into a so-called Bible. In this one, there is a deliberate effort on the part of Mr. Bratcher to eliminate the idea of atonement by the blood of Christ and all idea of blood by changing the word blood to other words-16 times in reference to the blood of Christ and 20 times in reference to other blood than Christ’s.

Along with the Revised Standard Version and the New English Bible, this unwarranted piece of literature removes the word begotten in John’s writings, as in John 3:16; and it has Jesus disavowing any intent to abolish the Law and the prophets, but “to give them real meaning” in Matt. 5:17; puts Peter as the rock in Matt. 16:18, although Jesus did not say that Peter was the rock; says Saturday night in Acts 20:7, as well as referring to the fellowship meal instead of breaking bread, as it also does in Acts 2:42.

The doctrine of faith alone gets its share of support in Romans 1:17 and 3:27-28 by the addition of the words only and alone.

Rom. 3:25, 5:9; Eph. 1:7; and 1 Pet. 1:18 are just four passages where the word blood was removed as uncultured and repugnant to the mind of Mr. Bratcher.

1 Cor. 2:14 refers to “the man who does not have the Spirit,” instead of the natural man as in the Greek text; 1 Cor. 14:2 lends aid to the current error on tongues by speaking of “strange sounds” rather than unknown tongues.

Acts 2:1 supports the idea that all believers received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Gal. 1:22 refers to Christian churches, inserting the word Christian where there is no justification for doing so.

The TEV has Jesus saying in Matt. 9:13 that he came not to call “respectable people, but the outcasts,” but such wording does not even come near to the idea Jesus meant to convey, though it does express the social gospel view of Jesus’ mission.

The language of inspiration was overlooked in order to talk about certain ones going to hell in Acts 8:20, Gal. 1:8, 9.

Matt. 3:11 sets baptism forth as, a means of showing that repentance has already taken place, but John’s statement spoke of baptism unto repentance.

1 Cor. 16:2 talks of putting something aside, as if it could be a private action performed at home, but the verse really speaks of putting something into a common treasury to prevent a later collection.

Such disrespect for the word of God is intolerable, especially in a so-called Bible!

Truth Magazine XXII: 28, p. 460
July 20, 1978

By Bruce D. James

Today’s language fails to set forth the beauty and preciousness of Jesus. But God inspired men through the Holy Spirit to select the most striking figures and metaphors to remedy the deficiency in modern day language. In the Old and New Testaments, earthly and heavenly objects are used to reveal the Christ. He is the “Rose of Sharon,” the “Lily of the Valley,” and the “Plant of Renown.” He is a rock-a refuge-and a strong tower. He is referred to as the light of heaven and in Rev. 22:16, “the Bright and Morning Star.”

The Morning Star is the brightest of all stars. Therefore, the metaphor sets Jesus in the fore front of glory. Other stars seem insignificant compared with the morning star, and so it is with other teachers when compared with Jesus. In other words His place is the supreme light of the world.

But let us not forget that the metaphor also relates to Christ in His subjective or mediatorial character. He is likened to a star because the glow of the eternal Sun is thrown upon Him. As the star or planet has thrown upon it the light of the sun, so all the rays of the Godhead were shed upon the person of the Savior. “He was the brightenss of his Father’s glory, and express image of his person” (Heb. 1:3).

Yet, in a very real sense, Jesus is compared to a morning star. The function and the glory of the morning star is to proclaim the dawn or the new day. When the morning star rises the new day is not far behind. Jesus is a morning star in at least three ways:

1. In regard to the world’s creation. Chaotic darkness and confusion fled at His appearing. He created all things by the word of His power (John 1:3; Heb. 1:2; Col. 1:16).

2. In regard to the world’s hope of deliverance from sin and its actual redemption. In the fulness of times, the morning star appeared bringing life and light into the world;

3. In regard to that great and notable day, the judgment day. In this day, He shall appear in all His glory-as the bridegroom of His kingdom-as the avenger of the ungodly-and as the Prince and Lord (2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2 Pet. 3:8-14).

Finally, let us remember that a star is something which any man who can look up can see, and whose light and guidance any man can enjoy. Therefore, let us walk in the light of the Bright and Morning Star, look to it at all times, to be guided to the realm of eternal joy and Peace.

Truth Magazine XXII: 28, p. 457
July 20, 1978

By Don Martin

By “allegiance” we have reference to loyalty and devotion. Perhaps the greatest statement found in God’s Book concerning allegiance is Matt. 6:23, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” When Jesus stated that we are to seek first the kingdom of God, He was teaching that our chief aim in life is to be the securing of God’s favor and the continuation of a good relationship with God. In enjoining seeking God’s righteousness first, He is teaching that our paramount goal is to be the performance of God’s laws and commands, His righteousness. Herein is allegiance. Not primary loyalty to man, but loyalty and devotion to the God of heaven.

Your writer is convinced that many of the problems we are presently experiencing stem from a misplaced allegiance. Man often wants to exercise devotion to God but frequently this allegiance is secondary rather than primary.

Husband-wife Relationship. Needless to say, there are many problems relative to marriage. The divorce rate is approaching 50 percent (one out of two marriages). Many marriages which remain intact are plagued with bitterness, strife, and unhappiness. Man has failed to learn that a marriage can be enhanced and enriched by the couples allegiance to God. Now, I am not suggesting that the husband and wife are not to have love one for the other and be devoted one to the other; rather, their devotion is to be primarily in God and then secondarily in one another. A man should be faithful to his wife because of his loyalty to God and secondarily because of his loyalty to his wife.

God has told man how to have a happy marriage (Eph. 5:22-33). Husbands are to love their wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it (vs. 25); they are to leave all others and be joined to their wife (vs. 31). Wives are to subject themselves unto their own husbands (vs. 22), and reverence them (vs. 33). When men and women are loyal to God they will keep these commandments and will thus be loyal to each other. However, when man reverses this allegiance, there are often difficulties. Human devotion alone is not always strong enough to result in marital concord and fidelity.

Children parent Relationship. It is also evident that there are not a few difficulties regarding the rearing of children. That children are to obey their parents is taught throughout the Bible (cf. Ex. 20:12; Deut. 21:1821; Prov. 23:22; Eph. 6:1). Paul taught, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Eph. 6:1). But where should the child’s primary allegiance be in his parents or God? Beloved, children ought to obey their parents out of devotion and loyalty to God. I suggest that in some cases we have committed grave and far-reaching mistakes regarding the rearing of our children. We tell our children that they ought to obey a command which we have given them because we have given it. While, in a sense, this is true I am afraid such is teaching children to center their devotion around us as their parents instead of God.

Not infrequently, children who are brought-up by God fearing parents become spiritually indifferent when they leave home. Perhaps in some cases this is the problem-we have instilled primary devotion and allegiance in them to us and not to God. We would do well to tell our children that they ought to obey us as their parents because God has required them to. The difference is in primary and secondary allegiance.

Local Church. The Christian has numerous responsibilities pertaining to and involving the local church of which he is a member. He is commanded to attend (Acts 2:42, Heb. 10:25), partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20-34), give of his means (1 Cor. 16:1,2), and admonish others through the singing of spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16). He is to be interested and concerned in the local church and assist in the execution of her mission (1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 4:11-16).

Frequently, I am persuaded, members develope a primary loyalty to the local church of which they are a member instead of to the Lord. They attend, give, and become involved not because of devotion to God foremostly but because of their attachment to the local church. As long as the local church is characterized by peace and unity these members are happy. But when things do not go right in the church, their devotion is destroyed and shattered. Perhaps, we encourage this allegiance by using such language as “they quit the church.” Maybe we ought to say, “they quit the Lord.”

Beloved, we are to faithfully exercise our responsibilities to the local church of which we are a member because of our loyalty and allegiance to God. If our devotion is directed to God, we will not lose faith when problems arise in the local church.

Duties to Others. Each child of God has duties to perform regarding other individuals. We have the priviledge and duty of endeavoring to teach the lost (Acts 8:4; Phil. 2:16). We are to warn the unruly, comfort the fainthearted, and support the weak (1 Thess. 5:14). Those who are overtaken in a fault are to be restored in the spirit of meekness (Gal. 6:1). I am afraid that we sometimes are motivated in the performance of these duties out of primary devotion to people and not to God.

Concerned reader, the burden of this article is not to de-emphasize our duties to our husband or wife, parents, local church, and our fellowman but to emphasize the proper allegiance and motiviation involved. We are to be faithful regarding marital duties, domestic requirements, activities involving the local church, and responsibilities pertaining to others because of our parmount allegiance and loyalty to God. If our devotion. is not in God, our religion will be shallow and superficial. It will not last because man will let us down.

Truth Magazine XXII: 28, pp. 461-462
July 20, 1978

By P. J. Casebolt

Great By Comparison

Much has been written and spoken concerning the content of the commission which was given to the disciples by Jesus. The contents of this commission are listed in the last chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and in John 20:21-23. Evidently, not too much has been said about what is contained in this charge, for there are still many who need to hear and obey it. Maybe we need to emphasize the duty of God’s people a little more as pertains to this work, then more will tell it to those who need to hear it.

This commission, or charge, is properly referred to as “great” when we compare it with other commissions. By such a comparison, we can see that these instructions given by Jesus just prior to his journey back to heaven, are much greater because of their scope and importance.

Noah was given the task of building an ark “to the saving of his house” (Heb. 11:7). Much more was included in this charge, such as gathering the living creatures which entered into the ark with Noah. Also, there is indication that some preaching was done in Noah’s time (2 Pet. 2:5; 1 Pet. 3:18-20). But, when all was said and done, eight souls were saved from a literal form of destruction. Under the great commission, baptism is designed to save the inward man (Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:20, 21).

Moses was sent to Egypt to lead God’s people out of bondage, and into the promised land of Canaan (Ex. 3:10). Though Moses carried out this charge commendably, it pertained only to the literal bondage of a few thousand people which comprised the nation of Israel (Deut. 7:6,7).

Joshua was then charged by God to complete the mission begun by Moses, by leading them into the land of Canaan (Josh. 1:1-9). Joshua later reminded Israel that by the help of God this mission had been accomplished, and not one thing pertaining to it had failed (Josh. 21:43; 14). This knowledge should put an end to all these latter-day speculations about Israel returning some day to inherit the land of Palestine.

In the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, the great work of rebuilding the temple and the walls of Jerusalem was accomplished. In spite of the magnitude of this undertaking, and efforts to hinder it, upon completion it still only provided a temporary center of activity for a people who were destined to relinquish their right to be God’s exclusive people (Isa. 62:1, 2; 65:15). The prophet Jeremiah also told of God’s plan to implement a greater system at some future time, and the apostle Paul verified its fulfillment (Jer. 31 and Eph. 1-3).

“How Much More?”

If these previous efforts were limited in their scope and importance, then how much greater is the commission which surpassed them all! When Jesus sent out the twelve and the seventy, they were still limited to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 10:5-7; Lk. 10:1-9). Thus, we properly refer to these efforts as a “limited” commission. But, this great commission of which we speak embraces far greater blessings and responsibilities. The consequences for failing to heed its terms are also greater (Heb. 2:1-3; 8:5, 6; 10:29).

The Contents

There are things in the great commission for both saint and sinner. God’s people who are called out of the world have certain duties which pertain to executing this commission. We are to do the going, teaching, and then are to teach further those who heed the terms of the gospel (Mt. 28:19, 20). Those who believe the message are to be baptized for the remission of their sins (Mk. 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38-41). These are then added to the Lord’s church, and immediately begin to share in the opportunity to continue carrying out this commission (Acts 2:42, 47; 1 Tim. 3:15).

Implementing The Great Commission

There are those among us (who ought to know better), who claim they cannot see any “plan” or “scheme” in God’s efforts to redeem mankind. I would like to ask these blind brethren a few questions. Is this matter of salvation from sin any less important than the building of the ark? The tabernacle? The temple, or the walls of Jerusalem? The deliverance of Israel from Egypt? The task of the twelve and the seventy? If much preparation and planning went into these efforts which pertained to other dispensations of time, and during all this time God had something better and greater in mind, how say some of you that there is no “plan” (Eph. 1:410)? Maybe some are just not satisfied with some of the conditions and requirements of this plan, and try to nullify such by claiming that since there is no plan, there can be no parts to the plan. Well, there are also those who think that by claiming there is no God, or that he is dead, they can escape the consequences of not obeying that God. It will not work. Or, to coin a phrase originating with hunters, “That dog just won’t hunt.”

Nowhere do we see the importance of a “plan” any more than we do in the implementation of the great commission. Jesus Himself authored this plan, and it is recorded in Acts 1:8, with its several parts. The apostles were to be witnesses of Jesus (1) in Jerusalem, (2) in Judaea, (3) in Samaria, and (4) unto the uttermost part of the earth. If there were those among the early brethren who could see no “plan” in this, it certainly did not deter the apostles in their understanding and implementation of the Lord’s will. They preached the gospel first in Jerusalem (Acts 1-7), then in Judaea (Acts 8:1-4), then in Samaria (Acts 8:5), and finally, to the “uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 10; 11:19-21). Instead of trying to minimize the importance of this commission and its contents as sectarians have endeavored to do, we should be telling of its greatness, a characteristic also of Him who gave it.

Truth Magazine XXII: 29, pp. 466
July 27, 1978