Truth Magazine

By Dennis C. Abernathy

To read the account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus (better known as Paul) is a thrilling experience indeed. Outside of Jesus Himself, Paul is probably the most prominent man considered in the New Testament. There is much to be learned in the life of this great man (and a great man he truly was). Paul was truly great because he loved and served the Lord. We look to him and hold him in high esteem because he was a follower of Christ. “Be ye followers (imitators) of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).

As we observe the life of Saul, we find that he was a Jew in the strictest sense of the word. “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day” (Acts 22:3). Also we read in Phil. 3:5, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.” Then in Acts 26:4-5 we read, “My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” Last of all, we read in Galatians 1:14, “And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.” It is evident from the foregoing scriptures that Paul was a very religious person (even from his youth up). He was a very strict Jew (mentioning his pure descent, his education under Gamaliel (a very eminent Jewish teacher), his being a Pharisee (noted for their strictness concerning the law), and not only that, he was more exceedingly zealous, which caused him to stand over and above many of his equals).

Now who would deny that Saul loved God and was trying to serve him? Certainly not I! This gives us some information about his up-bringing, but we notice something else about the life of Saul. While he was very religious, strict as to the law, very zealous toward God, at the same time we find that he persecuted the church! “For ye have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it” (Gal. 1:13). In writing to Timothy, Paul later said of himself that he was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent aggressor” when it came to the church of the Lord. Saul did all that he could to stamp out the church of Christ. He opposed it with all his might. He imprisoned disciples (Acts 8:3; 22:4). He beat them (Acts 22:19). He compelled them to blaspheme(Acts 26:11). He voted to kill the saints (Acts 26:10; 7:58; 22:20). He was so “furiously enraged” at the saints, that he pursued them to foreign cities to bring them back and persecute them. How much worse could one be? Talk about sinners! Well Paul did not think one could be any worse than he was. He referred to himself as “chief of sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Paul was sincere and very conscientious, of which there is no doubt, for we read in Acts 23:1 “. . . Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” Also in 24:16, he said, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.” And then again, we read in 26:9, “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” So there we have it. Paul thought he was doing right, was sincere, and had a clear conscience. Do you suppose for one minute that he was pleasing to God in the condition? (Just here it would do some of our own brethren a lot of good to ponder Paul’s case. Will God simply overlook sins committed in ignorance while one is doing his best to do right? If He will, then Paul was pleasing to Him in his condition.) No, my friends and brethren, Paul was not all right in that condition, and he knew it when he heard the truth. I say this respectfully, but will say it nonetheless. If your “best” is not in harmony with the will of God, then it is not good enough.

We now have Saul on his way to Damascus to pursue the Christians with the authority and orders of the chief priests. As he later related the events of this journey, he said, “At midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me” (Acts 26:13). Saul was overwhelmed by this and, having fallen to the ground, “heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ ” We learn, of course, that there was a special reason for this unusual happening in connection with Saul. We go to Acts 22:14-15 and find Ananias telling Saul, “The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will and to see the Righteous One, and to hear an utterance from his mouth. For you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard.” We read further in Acts 26, “But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to. the things in which I will appear to you; delivering you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I. am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me” (vs. 16-18). Read also 1 Cor. 9:1. Is it not clear then that Saul had actually seen and heard Jesus that day? Is it not just as clear why he did? There is no need for you and me to expect any such thing to happen to us, for it never so-happened again.

When the Lord showed Himself, and spoke to Saul, it surely made a believer of him. He was convinced that He was the. Christ and immediately he wanted to know “what shall I do Lord?” (22:10). I believe the person who is truly convinced that Jesus is the Christ will want to know what he must do to obey Him. Just here we might note that Saul was not saved simply because he believed. Those who have Saul saved from his sins on the Damascus road do err not knowing the Scriptures. The Lord emphatically told him, “But rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told thee what you must do” (9:6). May I strongly urge upon you that whatever would be told Saul, it was a must! He had to do it! He was not told something he “may do” or can do “if you want to.” I suppose some feel that if a person does all he knows to do (even though he does not do what he “must” do), it will be fine with the Lord! Not so. There are some “things we must do” today just as there were things Saul had to do. Never forget that!

It seems evident to me that Saul was in sheer agony for three days. No doubt his sins were “ever before him.” He had time to think of what he had been doing and to whom he had been doing it. Can you imagine the force of the Lord’s words? “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” No doubt Saul was sorry; repentance is shown. Acts 9:9 says, “And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Next we read of Ananias, the preacher being sent to Saul. At first he did not want to go (he knew the havoc this Saul had wreaked out on the church), but the Lord convinced him and he went. Saul was waiting just as the Lord told him to do. Ananias told him, “And why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). Chapter 9:18 informs us that “he arose and was baptized.”

Observe if you will, that baptism is for the washing away of sins. They are washed away in the blood of the Lamb (Rom. 6:4). That is why there was no delay to perform the act. When one understands that until he is baptized he is still in his sins, he will not delay. This is why some wait for weeks on end to get up a group of candidates for baptism and have a baptismal service. They do not believe that baptism is essential to the washing away of sins. But, my friend, Saul understood it; therefore, he did not delay!

How wonderful it is to see the power in the gospel. Paul could see it, for never again was he to be ashamed of it. He knew it to be God’s “power to save” (Rom. r :16). What a change the gospel wrought in the life of SauR He became a great hero of the faith, endeared to all of us, because of his humble obedience, strict conviction, and patient endurance. The hateful persecutor now became the persecuted (2 Cor. 11:23-28). He suffered for his Lord, as he had heaped suffering upon the saints before, and he did it gladly. “For this reason I also suffer these tl#ngs, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Tim. 1:12). What wonderful harmony in the Word of God. Listen to the admonition of Peter, “Therefore, let those also who suffer; according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right” (1 Pet. 4:19).

To you who are reading these words. Have you been obedient to the gospel of Christ? Have you done what Saul did? Why are you delaying? Arise, be baptized, and wash away you sins.

Truth Magazine XXII: 24, pp. 393-394
June 15, 1978

By Irven Lee

Let us look at some of the best of men who have died through no fault of their own. At the head of the list, of course, would be Jesus of Nazareth who went about doing good. He was tempted in all points as we are, but there was no sin in His life. He was despised and rejected of men, but He showed no sign of hate in His entire life in the flesh. He was as innocent and quiet as the lamb on the day of His illegal, cruel treatment and mockery during His trials before Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate. He prayed for the people while He was on the cross, and it was on that cross that He paid the redemption price for sinful men. He taught men to overcome evil with good, and He has turned millions from evil to good through the preaching of the story of His life, His death, and His resurrection.

Abel being dead yet speaketh (Heb. 11:4). He pleased God by his sacrifice that was offered by faith. No fault of his is mentioned, but he was killed by the jealous violator of God’s law. This first recorded murder was in the first family on earth, and the record of the unholy event is in the first book of the Bible (Gen. 4). Have you thought of how many sins that are so common in America today were found among the people mentioned in the book of Genesis? There was lying, drunkenness, murder, stealing, fornication, hate, jealousy, love of money, and lust in the heart that led to the overt acts.

“God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth . . . . and it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth . . . . And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold I will destroy them with the earth” (Gen. 6:5-13). When the Lord was ready to destroy the earth, it was a time when “the earth was filled with violence” (Gen. 6:11). One thing that God hates is “hands that shed innocent blood” (Prov. 6:17). Men who know something of what God has said realize that He said, “Thou shalt not kill.” This is first recorded when God spoke when mount Sinai quaked and smoked, and God Himself gave the commandment with the thundering trumpet voice so that even Moses did “exceedingly fear and quake” (Heb. 12:21). “Moses said unto the people, Fear not, for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not” (Ex. 20:20).

The New Testament speaks as plainly against murder and against the anger that may lead to it (Matt. 5:21,22). We are taught to understand that those who have “trodden under foot the Son of God” are worthy of “sorer punishment” than those who received capital punishment because they “despised Moses’ law.” It is still God who says, “Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense.” “The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Let willful sinners have the “fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation” (Heb. 10:26-31). Abel’s blood cried unto God from the ground. God had no trouble learning who was guilty of the murder (Gen. 4:10). “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Many do not realize that God has spoken and means what He says. Do you? Do your children?

Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can stop the crime wave in our country, but parents with great faith who own well worn Bibles could in their own special realm of influence. Why write here of the wave of violence that covers this land? Which criminal will read this and be converted? We are writing this as an ounce of prevention. Some who have taken guns and entered banks and other such businesses have nominal church members as parents, and the robbers themselves, in some cases, have been baptized. I find undisciplined and untaught children in “church homes” that already show the complete lack of respect for God and man that is the background for a life of violence. I am begging those who do read this to please work at the task of building reverence for God, respect for man, and self discipline into the hearts of your children. Has God spoken in vain on such serious crimes?

Jonah; after a period of rebellion and a rude awakening, finally went to Nineveh to “preach unto it the preaching” that God had commanded (Jonah 3:2). He must have put his point across because the King said: “Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands” (3:8). Nineveh was in great danger of being destroyed, and violence is singled out as one special reason as it was in the day of Noah when men were destroyed off the face of the earth.

In explaining the destruction of Jerusalem to Ezekiel, the Lord allowed him to get a vision of the idolatry and other abominations to be seen in Jerusalem. Here is a portion of what He said: “Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence” (Ezek. 8:17). The same prophet foretold the destruction of Tyre. Among other things he said, “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned” (Ezek. 28:16). Were they worse than many cities in America where one cannot walk the streets in safety, and where so many businesses are robbed at gunpoint daily? Does the same God rule in the kingdoms of men (Dan. 4:17, 25, 32; ,5:21)? What are the prospects for God’s hands of vengeance upon our land? Is not the whole earth being shaken by guerrilla warfare, assassinations, kidnappings, and highjackings?

Sins of violence are not new, and I am no prophet or the son of a prophet, but I am convinced that there is the strong arm of vengeance ready for a land that will bring up such sinners from innocent childhood. I am afraid for the future of our nation. I plead for more people to make zealous effort to know, practice, and teach the word of God. The rebuilding of America must start in the home, and the truth should go to every creature. More laborers are desperately needed for this spiritual vineyard. In the days when the Old Testament prophets lived and reported on some of the Lord’s activities, they told of His use of pestilence (disease), famine, and the sword (Jer. 24:10; 42:17; 44:13). The Lord can handle the populatipn explosion without any trouble. We all know the fate of Jerusalem for its rejection of the Christ, who was the gift of God’s love.

Read the last half of the first chapter of the book of Romans and compare it with your observations in this country and as you read or listen to the daily news reports. The pagan world at the time of the apostles knew and condoned the deeds of people who were guilty of the sins which are today said to be normal sexual behavior. I refer to homosexuals, lesbians, and other sex perverts. They also knew of “envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.” Sinners of this nature are not to be without punishment. It is in order to preach sermons or to write the truth to any who will listen or read about any one of these sins. God has spoken on violence and on the other grievous sins mentioned here. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit has revealed of the mind of God.

Truth Magazine XXII: 24, pp. 391-392
June 15, 1978

By Peter McPherson

Know Your Bible

Brother Gene Tope (whom I have never met but have heard a lot about and corresponded with once) has written a correspondence course. This course is published by the Cogdill Foundation (they did not ask me to write this article) and can be ordered by writing to Box 403, Marion, Indiana 46952. These lessons can be an invaluable aid in sowing the seed of the kingdom, in helping people to learn of the Way and in getting them to become disciples of the Lord. I am personally thankful to Brother Tope for his efforts made public and to the Cogdill Foundation for printing these great six lesson course.

The lessons in this course are: (1) Understanding The Bible, (2) Sin And The Blood Of Christ, (3) What Must I Do To Be Saved?, (4) Denominationalism, (5) The New Testament Church, and (6) Baptism. The lessons are simple, sound and scriptural. They are attractive, clear and brief. What better way could there be of teaching people in mass than by intensive efforts along the line of a mail Bible Course? I have been using Bible courses to teach people in the areas where I have been located over the years and will continue to do so. And though I have used other correspondence courses I have found that the Know Your Bible lessons are as good as any and better than-many. They are reasonably priced at about 75″ a set. They need to be used and used widely. There is no need for you to go to the work to make up your “own” Bible correspondence course when such a fine set is available. What few things you would change in Brother Tope’s course are very minor. The work and cost involved would not be worth it. Again I say, let us make use of this fine Bible Course.

Bible Course Suggestions

Order a set of 100 of these Bible lessons (order 150 of No. 1’s as you always use more No. 1 lessons than the others). Post a display of the Bible lessons on the church bulletin board. Give every family in the local church a complete set to look over and to keep for themselves so that they can see how good they actually are. This way no one is in the dark as to the material being used and, besides that, this should encourage the members to enroll someone on the lessons, perhaps a relative, even a son or a daughter, a father or a mother (at least it is a wonderful wish and a few will fulfill your dreams).

Offer your Bible Course free to all who would like to learn more of God’s word. Run a 4 inch by 4 inch ad in the local newspaper and/ or place a small ad in the personal section. Do not give the church address or even mention the church of Christ (will someone jump me on this?). Most people look upon the church of Christ as simply another denomination and, therefore, they would not take the lessons if they knew that they are connected with “that church”! By not giving them this pre-mature information you will be able to get some, in time (patience good friend and tact old buddy), to know about the true church.

Some More Advice

Some areas are more receptive to one form of teaching than others. Some areas have more outlets for this kind of teaching. Let me tell you what has been working well for us here in Lethbridge, Alberta the past couple of months. Undoubtedly the following has helped in our success: We have been making up little pouches from poster-board (cut a piece 7 inches by 5 inches and fold up the bottom 1 inch and staple). Into these little pouches we have been placing about ten 3 1/4″ x 5 1/4″ “no postage necessary” business reply cards (get a number from the Post Office and use a box number or a non-church address). On the one side of this card have the address printed where you want the cards sent. On the other side something like the following

Know Your Bible Program

A Special FREE home Bible Study Course is now being organized. This Course is:

Completely Undenominational

Absolutely free of charge

Conducted entirely by mail

Based directly on the Bible

Contains 6 lesson booklets which you keep

To enroll, simply print your name and address on this card and mail as you would any postcard. Your first lesson will be mailed to you immediately.

Name…………..

Address …………………..

Why Not Do It Now Before You Forget?

Here at Lethbridge we have been tacking up these cardholders containing the above cards all over town: on the bulletin boards in the cities, in laundromats, in the university (which has some 10 bulletin boards), in the community college (which has a dozen bulletin boards) and in other public places where there are bulletin boards. Then we have just sat back and waited! In less than two months we have had over 50 cards returned. And already some have finished their lessons and we have started having home Bible studies with them. We are confident that others will be developed. We keep complete records on each student. This is important.

After the student has completed all six lessons that person should be called on immediately. At the first contact, be friendly, congratulate the person for completing the lessons, introduce yourself as the one grading, or overseeing the Bible lessons, talk about things concerning their family, work, weather, etc. Finally, after you have made friends, suggest that you would like to come into his or her home and continue in Bible study. I have found that the Jule Miller Bible Film Strips make a good next step in teaching most families. Usually people are favorable to this approach. You might play it by ear as to whether or not you invite them “to church” just yet.

Keep At It

Any program must be worked at and kept up. The bulletin boards should be visited at least once every two weeks. (Most bulletin boards are for public usage and unless they are marked for some specific thing just go ahead and use them.) Do not offer any gimmicks, rewards or prizes for completing the lessons. This way you will get mostly sincere and genuine Bible students. This helps to weed out the “loaves and fishes” seekers. Preachers, grade the lessons yourself of” get a knowledgeable Christian to help you. Talk up the Bible Course to the members regularly. Get them to work for you. Be enthused about it and others will get the idea. Expect,.some results. Be positive and optimistic. It is a super way to teach people but we will have to sell ourselves on the idea and push it at the members for it to work profitably. Do not become discouraged. Understand that quite likely only about 10 percent or less will complete the lessons. And, of course, less than that will obey the gospel. This is just the way it is. But you are trying. You are sowing. God cannot expect more of us than this for it is He that “giveth the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6; Mt. 13:8). Make It Easy and Encouraging

Pay all postage for the Bible Course enrollees. Use a stamped and self-addressed return envelope for their finished lesson. Write their name on each lesson sent as they sometimes forget to do this. Give them a grade on each lesson with an added “Perfect,” “great,” or “Very Good” and then sign by using your initials. This is only polite, gives it a personal touch applies tact and help in the long run. Answer each question kindly and try to defer them for later (especially if the other lessons will cover that point).

A Scriptural Plan

What could be more scriptural than the Bible Correspondence Course program? Whenever it is said in the scriptures that the people came back to hear the word of God or whenever people were asked a question, there is a type of Bible correspondence course being employed (well, use your imagination just a little!). Anyway “teach” is generic and any arrangement used by individuals and churches that does not violate any scriptural principle is scriptural. Use the Know Your Bible Correspondence Course. Be Sowers; Get Learners; Make Disciples. Enroll Them in a Bible course!

Truth Magazine XXII: 24, pp. 390-391
June 15, 1978

By 

Earl RobertsonTompkinsville, KentuckyThe creeds of men allege that a sinner is unable to believe the message preached by the apostles because he is dead in sin and that, therefore, God gives faith to the sinner. Faith is not a gift; faith is the confidence one has in God because of what God has said to him through His word. All who do not believe shall be damned says Jesus (Mk. 16:15, 16). If faith is a gift of God, all who do not have it may rightly hold the Maker responsible for their condition! Who can believe it? “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). One’s trust in God comes after hearing (Eph. 1:13). Paul asks, “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” (Rom. 10:14b).

Faith alone is of no value to anyone. Salvation is not offered by faith only and never has been. Many declare that the doctrine of justification by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort, but it is a lie. The creeds teach it, but the Bible says the very opposite! The Bible says, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). That verse cannot be explained away; it will always say not by faith only.

Without faith it is impossible to please God. The Bible says, “He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). God must always be sought after the due order (1 Chron. 15:13). His will must guide the actions of man. Acting contrary to the explicitly revealed will of God is not faith, but unbelief. Moses understood what God wanted at the waters of Meribah (Ex. 20:8), but his faith was not implicit. God said unto him, “Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them” (Ex. 20:12). God said “speak” to the rock, but Moses “struck” it with his rod. Moses did not do what God told him; God said his actions amounted to unbelief.

This well illustrates our point: God has spoken to man, and unless man accepts unreservedly the word of God it is unbelief. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:15, 16). Some say they believe but refuse to be baptized-they not only disbelieve, ut are disobedient also.

Truth Magazine XXII: 24, p. 389
June 15, 1978