Truth Magazine

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

By Richard Greeson

“An astonishment and horror is come to pass in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priest bear rule at their hands; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jer. 5:30-31 A.S.V. with footnotes inserted). In Jeremiah’s day, God’s people were in trouble. The prophets were teaching falsehood and the priest were using the false prophets to enhance their own power over the people. Such a condition existed because the people loved to have it so.

There are such unholy alliances at work today. The first two paragraphs of a letter dated March 1, 1978 received by churches in the Ohio Valley and other areas read as follows.

Enclosed is an advertisement of the 4th Annual Wood County Youth. Meeting sponsored by the North End Church of Christ under the direction of its Elders. Please encourage your young people to come and be a part of this great experience.

Ohio Valley College has been of great help by allowing us to use their campus for the Saturday daytime program, and by providing us with the addressed envelopes which we can mail on their permit at tremendous savings.

The North End church admits to an illegal action by using the mailing permit of another organization. However the claim by the church that the college is helping them is only a cover for the real purpose of this meeting. In reality the church is aiding the college. The entire program of “Entertainment & Inspiration” is oriented toward the college, not the church. Note the following entertainment listed in their folder. Sunshine Express-popular music group. Kid Cruiser and the Hubcaps-eight young men who specialize in the music of the fifties. And of course the Ohio Valley College Chorus.

It is interesting to observe that the teaching of classes will be at Ohio Valley College. The Ohio Valley Chorus will perform at the church building.

As one ponders the involvement together of church and school, we must wonder about the honesty of those who operate Ohio Valley College. They maintain with a straight face that Ohio Valley College is not supported by churches of Christ.

It is a sad day for those who love the Lord, when we must admit the following. An astonishment and horror is come to pass in the land: The churches teach falsely and certain schools bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Truth Magazine XXII: 28, pp. 460-461
July 20, 1978

By Harold Hancock

Too many churches are plagued with an attendance problem. Some Christians think if they partake of the Lord’s supper Sunday morning there is no need for them to assemble with the saints that evening or mid-week. This accounts largely for the difference between the crowd Sunday morning and the few that assemble Sunday evening and during the week.

I have seen some who would come and partake of the Lord’s supper and then leave immediately. They would not even stay for the remainder of the one service, much less come to another. Then there is the story of the vacationers who asked that the Lord’s supper be brought out to their car so they could take it and then be on their way without sin. What is ahead? Buildings with drive in windows so one can drive through, take the Lord’s supper and be finished with his duties for the week? I do not think it works that way! Many seem to think that the Lord’s supper is the most important part of worship. Some think that to partake of the Lord’s supper is the only reason we are commanded to assemble. All the rest of the things we do-sing, pray, preach-are just to fill the hour. They consider them incidentals. It is just a good time to do some of them since we are already come together.

Their reasoning seems to be based on Acts 20:7, “When the disciples came together to break bread . . . .” This shows purpose, and it is the only purpose mentioned in this passage. This is the same grievous mistake made by those who advocate “belief only” for salvation. They have seized one passage on the subject and have looked no further. Other passages tell us other reasons for assembling together.

Some have tried to limit Heb. 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . . .,” to the assembly at which the Lord’s supper is offered. It is not so limited. Note the context of the passage. The Lord’s supper is not even under consideration. The writer has instructed us to consider one another and to provoke one another unto good works (v. 24). This is the purpose of the assembling spoken of. It is for edification and exhortation.

When one looks to the early church, he finds that “togetherness” is stressed. The early Christians met together often and for many different reasons. Sometimes they assembled together to learn what was happening in the name of the Lord and to pray and to praise God (Acts 4:31). Occasionally they met to discipline the unruly (1 Cor. 5:4). They assembled to make provisions for caring for the benevolent needs of disciples (Acts 6). They even met in their homes to eat common meals (Acts 2:46). All of this was in addition to and along side of meeting for the purpose of teaching one another and exhorting one another and partaking of the Lord’s supper. These passages and examples are given to us for a reason. They are worthy of imitation.

Does not our attendance say something about our attitude toward God, the church, and things spiritual? Attendance is a good thermometer by which to gage our spiritual temperature. Whose company is it that we deem higher than the saints of God? What is it that we do that we think is more profitable and enjoyable than singing, praying, or learning of God? May we all assemble as often and for as many good reasons as did the Christians of old.

Truth Magazine XXII: 28, p. 455
July 20, 1978