Truth Magazine

By Morris W. R. Bailey

It has been pointed out that the failure to handle aright, or rightly divide, the word of truth is responsible, in a large measure, for many of the doctrinal errors that plague the religious world today. In our previous article we pointed out that the failure to distinguish between conditions before and after the cross of Christ, when the old covenant ended and the New Testament became effective, can be, and has been responsible for erroneous concepts regarding the conditions of salvation. This disposition becomes obvious when examples of forgiveness of sins without baptism that occurred during the personal ministry of Christ are regarded as precedent for our being saved without baptism today.

In this article we propose to show that the claims of Pentecostal and other Holiness groups, to the gift of miraculous healing, and the ability to speak in tongues-gifts that were conferred upon certain men while the New Testament was being written-are due to the failure to make the proper distinction between

The Temporary And The Permanent

By this is meant the distinction between miraculous manifestations that attended the inauguration of a new order, and the law or laws by which said order was perpetuated. This is a distinction that runs all through the Bible, from the beginning. Observe the following examples.

1. The creation of the universe. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Previous to creation nothing existed. By a miracle God brought the heavens and the earth into existence, and established the laws by which the universe is governed today. The miraculous, having served its purpose, has given way to the permanent order and does not have to be repeated today.

2. The vegetable kingdom was brought into existence by a miracle. Genesis 1:11 says, “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth, and it was so.” The question of which came first, the oak or the acorn is immaterial. If the oak came first then it came by a miracle-creation. It then produced an acorn from which the next oak grew in harmony with natural law. If the acorn came first then it came by a miracle, and produced the first oak according to the law of nature which Goc’ established, and which is permanent.

3. Animal life came by the miracle of creation. Genesis 1:21 says, “And God created the great sea monsters, and every living creature that moveth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind: and God saw that it was good.” Sometimes the question is asked, Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Again we say, it is immaterial as to which came first. If it was the chicken, it was a created chicken and it laid the first egg from which the next chicken came. If it was the egg which came first, then it was a created egg which then produced a chicken. In either case, there was first the miracle of creation, then the law of reproduction, which is the permanent order.

4. Man was brought into existence by a miracle-creation. Prior to that event, “there was not a man to till the ground” (Genesis 2:5). But Genesis 1:27 says, “And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them.” The purpose of the miracle having been accomplished, man was then told to “Multiply and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:28). This is God’s law of procreation-the permanent order.

This same order-first the miraculous then the permanent order-characterized God’s dealings with Israel. He divided the waters of the Red Sea to save them from the Egyptians (Exodus 14:15). The purpose of the miracle having been accomplished, it has never been repeated. When God gave the Law of Moses from Mount Sinai, its giving was accompanied by miraculous phenomena that struck terror to the hearts of the children of Israel (Exodus 19:16). These were never again repeated after the Law of Moses-the permanent order-was given. God fed the Israelites miraculously with manna from heaven for forty years (Exodus 16:34). But when they entered the land of Canaan the manna ceased and they ate the fruit of the land (Joshua 5:12).

We have given considerable space to the above examples, but all to emphasize this obvious fact, that miraculous phenomena but serves a temporary function, and is no part of the permanent order. We shall now show that this is no less true with regard to

Miracles That Attended The Inauguration Of Christianity

First, let us notice that the system known as Christianity is the permanent order, to which the Law and the prophets were but preparatory. I do not know if I can give a definition of Christianity that would suit everyone. But I offer this as what I conceive it to be. “The System of Redemption designed by God in the Eternal Past, executed by Christ through His Death on the cross, and revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles and other inspired men of the First Century.” This may not be a perfect definition, but I believe it is a fair summary of what we call Christianity. Since it is Christ-centered and built upon Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God, it was essential that His claim be authenticated by substantial proof. Such proof does exist in

The Miracles Of Christ

Time and space forbids our telling all the miracles He performed during His earthly sojourn. A fair summary of His miracles is found in the language of Jesus, Himself, when, in answer to the question of the disciples sent from John the Baptist, ‘Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?’ Jesus replied, “Go tell John the things that ye hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up” (Matthew 11:2-5).

Not only did Jesus demonstrate His power over the ills of the body, but also over the forces of nature (Matthew 8:23-26 records His stilling the tempest on the sea of Galilee); the demon world (Matthew 8:28-32 records His sending the demons out of two men, and into a herd of swine); and the Law of gravity (Matthew 14:25 records His walking on the sea).

We are not left in any doubt as to the purpose of the miracles wrought by Christ. On the occasion of the healing of a palsied man, and when challenged concerning His right to forgive sins, Jesus said, “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of palsy) Arise, and take up thy bed, and go unto thy house” (Matt. 9:6). This miracle demonstrated Christ’s authority to forgive sins — a divine prerogative.

In a summary of the miracles performed by Christ during His personal ministry, John said, “Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life through his name” (John 20:30,31).

So while the miracles of Christ conferred some physical benefit on those on whom they were performed, that was not their primary purpose. The purpose of such miracles was to establish the fact of Jesus’ divinity. They were thus used by the apostles in preaching the gospel to unbelievers (Acts 2:22, 10:38). These miracles have been preserved for us in a permanent record, the New Testament. Thus we have access to the same evidence as those who heard the gospel preached by the apostles.

So when some professed faith-healer modestly (?) claims that his miracles are due to the power of Christ working through him, it raises some questions:

1. Why is such power limited today to just one thing-healing? Why do they not stop tornados? There has been no lack of opportunity. Why not miraculously provide us with the money to pay taxes, as Jesus did (Matt. 17:24-27)? What a boon that would be! And, why do they not raise the dead? Does Jesus not have the power to do all that he did while on earth?

2. Granting (which we do not) that actual miracles of healing are being performed today, we ask, What would be the purpose of such miracles? If it is the physical benefit that is conferred, we are then led to ask, Why is this gift of healing limited to so few men (Oral Roberts, and a few others), and why is there still so much sickness when God sends his material blessings on all men (Acts 14:16,17)?

3. Since the divinity of Jesus was abundantly confirmed by the miracles He performed during His personal ministry (John 3:1,2), what purpose would more miracles serve today? If men will not be convinced by the miracles of the First Century, what assurance is there that they will be convinced by miracles worked today?

The fact of the matter is, the miracles of Jesus, like the miracle of dividing the Red Sea, and feeding Israel on manna, served a temporary purpose. Having accomplished that purpose they do not have to be repeated.

Truth Magazine XXI: 39, pp. 613-614
October 6, 1977

By Mike Willis

The greater majority of people has lost sight of the true values of life. Someone has compared our loss of insight as to the true values of life to going into a department store in which someone has mischievously mixed up the price tags. A nylon scarf might be priced at $219.95 and a mink coat at 494. Similarly, most modern men have gotten their values mixed up; we place a high value on the accumulation of possessions and a low value on such virtues as moral integrity, honesty, etc. There can be no doubt that most of us get our values mixed up from time to time. Consequently, we are frequently content to be eating hamburger (i.e., the less important things in life) when we could be eating filet mignon (i.e., the more important things in life). On one occasion, Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’ ” (Mt. 4:4). He recognized that some things in life were more important than others. Let us look more carefully at that context to be sure that we understand the lesson which He was teaching us.

The Temptation of Jesus

The passage from which I just quoted was taken from the temptation of Jesus. Jesus had just begun His public ministry having recently been baptized by John (Mt. 3:13-17). Then, the Holy Spirit led Him away to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. For forty days and nights, Jesus fasted after which He became hungry (Mt. 4:2). At precisely this point in His life, the Devil confronted Jesus. The Devil said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Mt. 4:3). There can be no doubt that Jesus was hungry enough that He wanted bread to eat. Yet, had He turned the stones into bread, His sole purpose for working that miracle would have been to gratify His personal hunger; there would have been no higher purpose accomplished through the miracle. Hence, He replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'” This reply indicates that Jesus believed that some things were more important in life than food for survival. Too, He recognized that the life which was worth anything depended upon the word of God for its survival and not upon the mere bread which perishes.

On Bread Alone

We live in a society which seemingly thinks that man can live on bread alone. This evidences itself in the fact that the number of Americans who are deciding to go through life without engaging in any kind of worship to God Almighty is increasing. The number of Americans who read their Bibles is infinitesimal. I think that it is significant to measure the quality of life which exists in America, a society which has decided to live on “bread” alone.

The crime rate continues to increase year after year. The divorce rate is skyrocketing. Personal integrity is at an all-time low. A large segment of our society would rather live off the welfare programs of the federal government than to go out and get a job to earn a living. Shoplifting is a problem to every business in this country. Employees walk off with a number of their employers’ tools. Our government officials are corrupt.

Though we live in a land which has more prosperity than any nation before us, we find that we are not satisfied with the quality of our life. The couches of our psychologists and psychiatrists are filled. We who have the most to live with are finding out that material things do not satisfy us. Years ago, Solomon said, “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing” (Eccl. 1:8). He recognized that material things do not give permanent gratification. The man who sees a beautiful sight one day wants to see a more beautiful sight the next day. Things do not give happiness. Whatever pleasures this world can give are only gratifying for a short period of time.

Furthermore, the price at which these pleasures come is frequently too high. Jesus refused to compromise Himself; the price of bread was too high for Him to turn a stone into bread. He recognized that “life is more than food, and the body than clothing” (Lk. 12:23). Yet many among us have never learned this lesson. In order to get the food which perishes and the other material things of this life, some compromise themselves to such an extent that they cannot even live with themselves. To obtain their desired material possessions they are willing to forsake their Lord, their children, and their beloved wife. Some are even willing to lie, steal, and cheat. When “bread” (i.e., the material things of life) costs this price, its price is too high; honorable death would be preferable to dishonorable life.

Every Word That Proceeds Out Of The Mouth Of The Lord

In contrast to those who live on bread alone, the Christian is one who decides to live on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. He recognizes that the word of God leads us to that life which is life indeed. “It holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). Unlike the worldly man who looks upon God’s commandments as so many prohibitions which forbid him from enjoying life in this world, the Christian realizes that the limitations placed on man by God are for his own good. They keep man from engaging in things which will only bring him unlimited sorrow.

The life which God commands of His children is one which improves the quality of life which exists on this earth. The family which lives according to God’s word will be a better family than the one which does not. The husband-wife relationship will be one characterized by the intimacy revealed in Eph. 5:22-33. Instead of a home. in which the wife is wanting to be the liberated woman of the women’s liberation movement, the children being rebellious, and the husband harshly domineering, the Christian family will be one in which the husband shows as much love for his wife as for his own body, the wife will be a keeper at home and lover of her children, and the children will honor their parents. This is the kind of family God wants us to have. This is the kind of family which will result when man realizes that he does not live by bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

Other relationships will be equally improved by a steadfast adherence to the word of God. Our relationships with one another will be better when we treat each other as Jesus commanded: “whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them” (Mt. 7:12). Our nation’s problems can be solved by adherence to the word of God. When men realize that the able bodied man who refuses to work should not be allowed to eat (2 Thess. 3:10), that there are no distinctions before God in the various races of men (Gal. 3:28), that the employee owes his employer an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage (Eph. 6:5-9; Jas. 5:4), that old-fashioned Bible morals are not only desirable but necessary for the survival of this country, etc., then this country will be headed in the right direction. It must, however, begin with the realization that man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Even more importantly, the man who realizes that he can live on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is prepared to die having the promise of eternal life with God. Whatever sacrifices are necessary to be able to live on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God are infinitesimal when compared to the blessings which God has in store for. His saints. Jesus recognized this when He refused to turn the stones into bread; He would have preferred to have died of starvation than to compromise Himself to live on bread alone. May each of us learn this important lesson which Jesus taught us through His temptation; “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4).

Truth Magazine XXI: 39, pp. 611-612
October 6, 1977

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From Kentucky: I am, in every sense of the word, a ‘babe in Christ,’ and I have a question on fellowship. I am really confused on this word. Can you tell me exactly what it means?”

Reply:

The word, “fellowship,” comes from a Greek word which connotes communion, partnership, sharing. God, by means of the gospel, calls one unto the fellowship of His Son (1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Thess. 2:13, 14). This is merely another way of expressing relationship to Christ. Saved ones are said to be “born again,” “Married to Christ,” “fellow citizens,” “fellow heirs,” “members of His body,” etc. These terms are all descriptive of association with Christ. The book of Ephesians is rich in such imagery (Eph. 1:3-14; 2:1-3:6; 4:3-16; 5:23-32). To be in any one of these conditions with respect to Christ, one must obey the gospel. The terminology indicates that one has been saved from his sins and added to the Lord. So, to have fellowship with the Lord, one must obey the truth and continue to walk in the light. Again, these words relate to one’s position or status to the Lord.

Perhaps a negative thrust will help ascertain the definition of fellowship. Paul said, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11). What did he mean? He meant, of course, that one may not share, partake, have communion, or agreement with those works. Suppose Paul had said, “Have fellowship with fruitful works of light.” What would that mean? It would mean that we are to engage in works of that nature. Hence, to have fellowship with Christ means to associate and participate with Him.

Comparison and Contrast In 1 John

Our inquirer wants to know “exactly” what fellowship means. Turn to 1 John. In chapter one, John says he has declared what he had seen, heard, and handled “that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (v. 3). But what does that mean? Compare 1 John 1:6 and 2:4. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1:6). “He that saith, I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (2:4). These verses say essentially the same thing. They define one another. As witness thereto note:

(l) “Walk in darkness” (1:6).

(2) “Keepeth not his commandments” (2:4).

(1) “We lie” (1:6).

(2) “Is a liar” (2:4).

(1) “Do not the truth” (1:6).

(2) “Truth is not in him” (2:4).

Further, compare 1 John 1:7 and 2:3, 5. “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1:7). “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments . . . .But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him” (2:3,5).

(1) “If we walk in the light as he is in the light” (1:7).

(2) “If we keep his commandments; if we keep his word” (2:3,5).

(1) “We have fellowship one with another and blood cleanseth” (1:7).

(2) “We know that we know him, and we know we are in him” (2:3,5).

These passages are precisely parallel. They show us that fellowship or communion with God is contingent on obedience to His word. Conversely, they show us that we walk in darkness when we do not keep His word.

Truth Magazine XXI: 39, p. 610
October 6, 1977

By Robert Wayne La Coste

“Brother La Coste?” “Yes,” I responded. “Brother La Coste, we of the Weber Road congregation are inviting each and every member of the church that desires to attend in this area to come to our talent show to be held in our fellowship hall.” “Come again,” I replied. The voice faltered somewhat, “Uh, we are having a talent show here in our fellowship hall, and we thought you might want to attend and bring as many as desire to come with you.” I hesitated for a moment, “You want us to come where, bring who and do what?” “Well, uh, . . er, you see . . . we are going to have refreshments, judging, and even final prizes.” Complete silence for about a minute. “Brother La Coste, are you still there?” “Yes, I am still here,” I replied. “I am just curious . . . do you feel the Lord would be pleased with such activity in the name and at the expense of the church?” We here in Refugio believe in having a good time, but we don’t do it in the name of the church neither at the Lord’s expense . . . and by the way, what is a fellowship hall?” “Hello . . . are you still there?”

“Uh, err . . . well, I understand . . . goodbye.” Click.

Someone has said that a fanatic is a fellow who doubles his effort while forgetting his goal. How foolish is such a one. I thought as I hung up the phone; have these ‘brethren’ forgotten their goal or mission as the church? Are they doubling their effort in a near fanatical attempt to attract the attention of the world? Speed, dear reader, means nothing if we are going in the wrong direction! God never intended for His church to get involved in such ludicrous activity! The very idea: A church of Christ talent show! If the Lord were in the grave, He would have been resurrected or at least be turning therein. However, He lives and reigns and we do not have to guess how he feels about it! “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction, and many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:1-2)

Mission or Function

The purpose, mission or function of the church is spiritual in nature! It has always been so and it will always be so, as far as the Lord is concerned) Peter wrote extensively about the matter when he said, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable .to God by Jesus Christ . . . ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who bath called you out of darkness into light” (1 Peter 2:5, 9). In this text, dear reader, if you were to strip away the qualifying phrases, it would read like this: “You are-that ye should.” “Ye are something (showing nature) in order that ye should do something” (showing function). An obvious question is in order here, “What is the church to do?” Have talent shows? Build “fellowship” (?) halls? (What they really mean is a recreational center . . . fellowship is not meat and drink . . . it is a relationship; see 1 John 1:3-7; Rom. 14:17.)

According to Peter, the church is to “shew forth the praises of him who bath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Shew forth is from the greek exangello, meaning to “tell out, proclaim abroad, to publish completely.” What is the church to proclaim, publish or propagate? The praises, excellencies, the goodness, and wonderful. deeds (see other translations) of the Lord! As Paul put it, “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). The church has other spiritual activities, but this is its main task!

Where will it all end? What will these people do next? I am afraid to even guess! What is disturbing, is that they are so spiritually ignorant and so naive, that they can not see anything wrong. with their reprobate activity! If we oppose it, we are the troublemakers and the church splitters. Very well, so be it! I’ll risk the name branding and being called “anti” for I am 200% opposed to people spitting in the face of Jesus again and crucifying Him afresh again! Their activity impeaches the wisdom of God, and brings the Lord’s church down to the lowly estate of being “just another denomination.” By the way, guess who really wore their talent show? See 1 Timothy 5:15!

Truth Magazine XXI: 38, p. 605
September 29, 1977