Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From Nigeria: “1. In Numbers 22-24, how did Balaam get to know Jehovah? Was he an Israelite? 2. In Luke 10:18, was this the time Satan was hauled down to earth as it is said in Revelation 1.2:9 ? 3. In Luke 10:20, when did registration of the saved begin in Heaven? Was it before or after the establishment of the church?”

Reply:

Questions About Balaam

References to Balaam appear in Num. 22-24; 31:8, 16; Deut. 23:4; Josh, 13:22; 24:9; Neb. 13:2,; Mic. 6:5; 2.Pet. 2:15-16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14.

Balaam was a. “prophet” (2 Pet. 2:16), “and the Spirit of God came upon him, And he took up his parable and said . . .” (Num. 24:2,3). “And the Lord put a word in Balawn’s moutin” (Num. 23:5, 16). Balaam “I heard the words of God, and knew the kriowled-ge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open” (Num. 24:16) Balaam “knew the knowledge of the inost High’ because God revealed it unto him. He knew God’s voice because God “put a word in his mouth.” It does not say Balaarn knew the Lord as his Savior, Rather, he knew the Lord’s mind or knowledge by revelation. The only way to know the Lord as Savior is to obey Him. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 Jn. 2:3). That has ever been true. Whether at “sundry times” or “in these last days,” one must keep or obey God’s word in order to know Him as Savior arid Sanctifier.

“Balaam (was) the son of Boor of Pethor of Mesopotamia” (Deut. 23:4). “Balak the king of Moab hath brouaht me from Aram out of the mountains of the east” (Num. 23:7). Balaam. is never listed and labeled as an Israelite. Citations to Balaarn separate him from the children of Israel (Cf. Num. 31:8, 16; Josh. 13:22; 24:9; Neb. 13:2). “Balaam. is one of those instances which meet us in Scripture of persons dwelling among heathens, but possessing a certain knowledge of the one true God. . . . His religion, therefore, was probably such as would be the natural result of a general acquaintance with God (though) not confirmed by any covenant” (Wm. Smith, Dictionary of the Bible, p. 93).

Luke 10:18 and Satan’s Fail

“And. the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Lk. 10:17, 18). The text shows that Satan’s fall was seen in his loss of power. “The devils are subject unto us through thy name.” In this way, Satan fell.

Compare Matthew 12:29, “Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then be will spoil his house.” In the context, Jesus bad cast out a demon, It was obvious that He had done so, thus, many began to inquire, “Is not this the Son of David.?” The Pharisees could not deny the miracle, so they cast reflection on the source of it. They said, “He casts out (lemons, but he does it by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the devils.” Jesus proceeds to manifest the folly of their contention. First, their argument would meav that Satan is fighting against himself. He is using Jesus to cast out himself. Second, the Jews claimed that their disciples cast out demons. Therefore, Jesirs asks them, “by whom do your children cast thf~m (the devils) out?” The inference is that they must do it by Beelzebub as you say I do. In effect, their ebildven are also in league with Satan in casting out demons. Third, in Matthew 12:29, the verse quoted above, the strong man is Satan. His goods are his dernons. The one who spoils the goods must first bind Satan, the strong man. So, Jesus is showing that He has bound Satan in order to “spoil his house,” i.e., cast out devils. The same principle is in Luke 10:18. Satan fell because Jesus power overthrew him in that “the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

The text in Revelation 12:1-12 is not directly related. There the victory was achieved “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” when Satan was cast out into the earth. This refers to the death of Jesus, whereas, Luke 10:18 recalls an event in His ministry. John 12:31-33 may be conipared. to Revelation 12:1-12.

Question Three: The Lamb’s Book of Life

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). See also Ex. 32:32, Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; Heb. 12:23. Exodus 32:32, 33 shows “registration of the saved began ir heaven before the establishment of the church.”

Truth Magazine XX: 35, p. 546
September 2, 1976

By Roy E. Cogdill

We have been writing about unity among those who believe in Christ through the words of the Apostles (The Gospel). Christ prayed that these might all be one even as He and the Father are one (John 17:20-21). We believe that this unity is possible where the Word of God is respected and where people have the right attitude toward one another. We further believe that a diligent effort in behalf of such unity, its existence and its preservation, is the individual duty of every Christian. Paul said by the Spirit, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Again Paul exhorted, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:1-4). Those exhortations are not easily followed but they are essential to the right attitude and to the bond of peace in which the unity of the Spirit must be kept. We need to honestly examine our hearts and our practice to see if we are really making a contribution, a positive effort in the direction of maintaining the peace and unity for which Christ prayed and for which we are all obligated.

One of the main difficulties encountered in such an obligation is the ability to make a proper distinction between matters of opinion and matters of faith. Almost everyone who knows any scripture at all knows that Christianity demands we must all believe the same thing (Eph. 4:5; Titus 1:4; Jude 3). There must be a common faith, if there is to be a common salvation. But this does not mean that we must all “see things alike” in matters of personal opinion or about matters that are in the realm of personal judgment, conscience, or expediency. Romans, chapter 14, deals with this realm in these words: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things; another, who is weak eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth; for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? . . . one man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind . . . So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

There are several things apparent from these verses of scripture. (1) There is a realm in which the conviction and conscience of the individual must be his guide (Rom. 14). His definition of faith as it operates in this realm is “full persuasion” in one’s own mind. (2) This realm concerns those things which are matters of indifference in the righteousness of God. They are not pertinent to Christian character until one offends his conscience and that is sin. Neither are they any part of “the Faith” concerning which we must all speak the same thing and believe the same thing; in other words, they are not things about which the Will of God has been revealed in His Word. In this realm God has made no choice but has left it up to the individual. (3) This realm concerns those things which are no part of the activity of the church, locally or universal, and are not matters about which there must be unanimity either of teaching, believing, or practice. They are in the realm of individual conviction and practice. It was wrong for the church to observe “religious holy days” which God has not ordained (Gal. 4:9-11). However, an individual Christian could consecrate a day in a special way to the Lord, such as a day of fasting or prayer, or in some other way attach some significance to it in his own mind and conscience without sinning as long as he did not condemn others for not observing it with him. Of course, there are those who are “weak in faith” that think that what an individual does or can do, the church does or can do. This is so utterly ridiculous from every point of view, however, that it really merits no answer or consideration.

Several rules are to be the guideline in matters that belong in this realm. They are: (1) The individual must act in accordance with his own convictions without violating his conscience. It is sinful to go against our consciences. This is not because the conscience is to determine what is right. Intellect and understanding do that. God has given us the conscience to protect us from sin and to maintain our self respect. When we violate it we destroy that restraint and make it easier to sin (Rom. 14:23). (2) In the exercise of that which I may be at liberty to do as an individual, I must not lead my brother to violate his conscience and thus to sin and thereby destroy my brother in the exercising of my personal liberty (Rom. 14:13-16, 19-21). (3) 1 must walk charitably toward my brother and allow to him the same consideration in matters in this field which I claim for myself. While I act in “full persuasion” in matters of this character, I must accord to my brother the same right and must not condemn him in the exercising of that right (Rom. 14:3-6, 10-12).

It must be understood that these principles do not apply to matters of “the Faith” about which God has given us no choice, but has legislated according to His own Will. Our duty in this field is to reverence the choice that God has. made, so that we will not seek one of our own but will gladly obey His Will and that without compromise for the sake of peace with anyone. Truth and righteousness cannot be forsaken without forsaking God. The “unity of the Spirit” is to be kept in the “bond of peace.” It is not the “church of our choice” that we must be a part of, but the “church of God’s choice.” The Gospel revealing the mind of God is not the faith and message of our choice, but the faith and message which God has ordained is what we must reverence. It is not the doing of our will but the doing of the Will of Christ that makes us Christians. In the Kingdom of God, the body of Christ, the Lord is “head over all things” and the only authority by which we can be guided. Here the will of the Lord must prevail for all such matters pertain to the “kingdom of God.”

But how can we tell the difference? How may we distinguish between matters of faith and matters of opinion? How may we know when to let our charity toward our brother rule our action? Here is the problem and that is the crux of the whole lesson. There must be some way to determine the responsibility we have toward God, our brethren, and ourselves!

The first fundamental to be remembered can be put in this form-has God specifically revealed His Will in the matter? If so, then there must be agreement concerning it both in faith and practice. This is true whether it is a matter of individual righteousness or church activity. Jesus said concerning the Old ‘Testament, “The commandments must not be broken” (John 10:35). An illustration of this in the realm of personal righteousness would be the law governing marriage. Jesus said, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” This was not the practice under the law of Moses or during Judaism but it was God’s law from the beginning and for the whole human family. While marriage is not a “church ordinance” or “sacrament,” whatever that is, it is absolutely essential that all men observe it in order to be righteous. Modern practice or popular approval does not change such a law or righteousness and those who would change or alter it had just as well modify any other law of righteousness. (This line of discussion will be continued).

Truth Magazine XX: 34, pp. 537-538
August 26, 1976

By Daniel H. King

“Let’s keep our heads bowed and our eyes closed. In a group this size its almost inevitable that there be people who have never actually named the name of Jesus, personally. Oh, most of us I guess go to church from time to time, maybe regularly. But there are still a lot of churches that don’t give individuals a chance to reach out and claim the promises of Jesus personally-and to come to him. And so we go on being church members, church attenders, maybe even active in church affairs, but we never have come to a moment when we said, ‘Lord, Jesus, be my savior. Forgive my sins. Write my name in your book. Make me part of your family.’ Can you remember a time when you did that? You know, if you can’t remember a time, if you can’t think back to that moment, then the chances are that there has never been such a moment. We don’t want to go any further here without giving you the opportunity to just reach out and touch Jesus and make him your Lord. Our whole purpose is to come together as God’s people, humble ourselves, seek his face, turn from our own wicked ways, so that he can heal us, forgive us, and heal our land. But he wants to deal with us as individuals. While our heads are bowed, our eyes are closed, so that we can have some privacy, if you’ve never had such a moment and if you’re not sure that your name is written in that book, would you just stand very quietly where you are? And, by that motion, by that act of standing claim Jesus personally. Other people in the auditorium won’t see you, but Jesus is here. We’ve come together in his name and he will. Make your salvation and your election sure by claiming him personally. We’re going to wait just a moment. We’d like to ask you just to stand where you are, while our heads are still bowed, our eyes are closed, and in that act of standing-Jesus said, ‘If you’ll confess me before men, I will confess you before my Father who is in heaven.’ And, so many of us in this place believe Jesus is coming soon-and that moment, when you’ll want so desperately, more than anything else in all of life, for him to confess you and call your name-is approaching. There are people standing now. Let’s keep our heads bowed. I’ll just tell you that, it seems to me that there are several heads of families standing, men who know that they want to give their wives and their children the best husband and father that they and the Lord are capable of providing. ‘There are now some young people, teens, pre-teens. We’ll wait a moment longer.

“Those of you who are standing, just know of a certainty that the Lord Jesus is right beside you welcoming you -into the family of God. James says if a man or a woman or a child will draw near unto God, God will draw near unto him. Believe that! Receive that! Young women I see standing. Yes, there are others. If you can’t think back to a moment when you said ‘yes’ to Jesus, and you know that he added your name to his book of Life, then make that moment now. There are others standing. In every part of this gymnasium now there are people standing, claiming the promises of Jesus, becoming members of God’s family. We’re going to wait just a moment more, and then we’re going to pray together and seal this for all eternity. Yes, others standing. Just a few more seconds. There must be thirty or forty people standing. If you should be part of that number, don’t let the time pass. Don’t let your opportunity pass. Lord we thank you for these. Just, those of you, don’t look up really, but sort of open your eyes enough to see if there is somebody right around you standing, and if so just reach your hand out toward that person. If you’re close enough to just put your hand on his or her shoulder or to take his or her hand, do that, because Jesus says, ‘Where two or three agree concerning anything ye ask, my heavenly Father will do it.’ We want to make a prayer, we want to speak a prayer of agreement before the Lord with these who have stood. And all of you who can reach your hand out toward them, then do that. And those of you who are standing know that there are people on every side of you extending their hands and agreeing with you in prayer. And now, let’s all pray this prayer out loud together. Let me frame the words, just a prayer of surrender and commitment to the Lord. We all need to make this kind of prayer. So, let’s all speak it out together with these who’ve stood, all right? Heavenly Father, I love you. Thank you for loving me. Jesus, thank you for dying for me. Save me Jesus, Write my name in your book. Make me a part of your family. Be my Lord. Forgive my sins. Apply your blood to me. Make me your own. Help me to know and to do your will. Help me to read and understand your word. Fill me with your Spirit. Help me to obey every command. Help me to be a profitable servant. Help me to be a good neighbor. Help me to be a child of God. Walk with me from here on. You are my Father. Jesus, you are my Savior. Holy Spirit, you are my guide. And I thank you in Jesus’ name, Amen . . .

“There will be some more instruction for you just a little while later. There will be some more instructions for you, counseling and the next step or two if you need to take some other steps, and probably you do.”

The above quotation no doubt sounds like something that would have issued from the pulpit of Oral Roberts, Rex Humbard, or some other comparable figure. But, not so. These are the words of our dearly departed (from the faith, that is) Brother Pat Boone, delivered on May 24th, 1976 at the Vanderbilt Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. Pat shared the podium with Dean Jones in the “musical experience in worship and intercession” by Jimmy and Carol Owens, called “If My People . . . ” Many of us who have kept up with Pat Boone have long known that he had departed from the faith through his experience with and promotion of ecstatic tongues and. “spiritual gifts.” His unwillingness to deny the “experiences” of others (fearful that they will also deny his, I suppose) has led him into fellowship with fake healers and false teachers of every stripe. His doctrine and practice has become more and more perverse as time has passed. This quotation which I transcribed from a tape of the proceedings is but another evidence of just how far one will go once he has “gone beyond the doctrine of Christ” (2 Jn. 9). We may certainly observe that once the bounds have been crossed, only the sky is the limit. There is now no discernible difference between Pat Boone and the birds that he has long been flocking with. Up to this point most of us have thought, though, that Pat still taught the necessity of baptism for remission of sins. At least, he often hinted at it when he spoke of the baptisms which he performed in his swimming pools at his home. This quotation would remove any doubts on the part of anyone, that is, if there really were any.

If you read it only with passing attention, you were made aware that Pat Boone’s invitation is most assuredly not the Lord’s invitation. His plan of salvation goes something like this: 1) Stand up; 2) Hold someone’s hand; 3) Pray a prayer of surrender and commitment. You may reread it carefully to see that I have not misrepresented his instructions to the unsaved. Now, look at the instruction given by Jesus: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16). There is not even the slightest resemblance between the two, is there? Pat tells the unsaved, “Stand very quietly where you are . . and by that motion, by that act of standing claim Jesus personally . . . Jesus said, ‘If you’ll confess me before men, I will confess you before my Father who is in heaven’ . . . Those of you who are standing, just know of a certainty that the Lord Jesus is right beside you welcoming you into the family of God.” Of all the vulgar and reprehensible deceptions that

I ever have been indisposed to hear-this one will surely take a back seat to none! In the first place, he misapplied the instructions regarding public confession, for he said earlier, “While our heads are bowed, our eyes closed, so that we can have some privacy . . . ” Is this not private confession? How could it be “before men” if it is private. But, more importantly Pat instructs the unsaved that “in that act of standing” one may be assured that Jesus “is right beside you welcoming you into the family of God.” For years we have scoffed at these unbiblical schemes of redemption as they fell from the lips of the “Billy Sunday” type of revivalists, but now they have begun to cascade from the mouth of one of “our own”! Walk to the front of the auditorium and be saved!” “Sign a commitment card and be saved!” “Stand up and be saved!” “Raise your hand and be saved!” “Put your hand on the radio and be saved” “Accept Jesus into your heart as your personal savior!” Ad infinitum! But, now listen, to the simplicity of the command of Ananius by the Spirit of God to the unsaved Saul, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Yet Pat Boone is now one with the denominational world in that he deceives the unsaved into thinking they are saved prior to immersion in water-that, in spite of the fact that inspired men say otherwise! And, perhaps there might be some possibility of excusing some of the others-but not Pat Boone. He has known and even publicaly taught the scriptural demands. He knows the Bible teaches a “new birth” for all under the new covenant, and that by “water and the Spirit (Jn. 3:3, 5). Instead, he places much stress on the Spirit and leaves out the water in God’s plan for the redemption of lost humanity. Pat knows that the Bible teaches that it is baptism that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:27), and into the family of God. He is aware of the fact that “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). There may be some excuse for others-but most certainly not for him!

There is another matter of great importance that we would be most negligent were we to fail to mention. This comes in the form of an observation. In Pat Boone we may abundantly see the end-product of the charismatic movement. Through Pat’s “experience” he has been forced to embrace those whom he formerly recognized as false teachers and even “parrot” their methods and teaching. This is simply the charismatic experience “gone to seed.” And, it is not surprising. It was as inevitable as that night will follow day.

In addition, Pat is looked upon (more or less) as “outside the ranks” by most of the brethren. However, Don Finto, minister of the avant-garde Belmont Church of Christ in Nashville, also took a leading part in this program. It can only be assumed that he endorsed all of the proceedings by his participation in and praise of its content.

Brethren, we must beware of this charismatic error and speak out against it in every public and private means at our disposal, lest we also be infested by it. Paul said, “Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).

Truth Magazine XX: 34, pp. 535-537
August 26, 1976

By O. C. Birdweil

“Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

This passage by Paul clearly shows what is to be preached by the gospel preacher and what such preaching will accomplish. Inspired scripture is to be taught and such scripture will furnish completely unto every good work. This is profitable preaching. In the face of this plain passage, however, some will preach that not found in scripture, and will often affirm that scripture is not even relevant in out age and should be renovated.

Somewhere there was given a listing of several kinds of preaching that is unprofitable. Since not only the hearer, but also the preacher, has an obligation before God in the matter it might be good to consider what is involved in unprofitable preaching that it might be avoided.

(1) Preaching that makes the hearer think there is nothing for one to do is unprofitable. There is much of this kind being done. Peter, however, did not do this kind of preaching. He said, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:40). Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Some of these modern day preachers, no doubt, would have taken the Lord and Peter aside and have told them they should not do such teaching. They would have rebuked them for telling people to do something that they might enter the kingdom and be saved! Also, the Hebrew writer said that Jesus, “having been made perfect. . . . became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9). Obedience is necessary in order to receive it. Any other kind of preaching is unprofitable. Think about these passages when you hear your preacher talk about there being nothing for man to do to be saved.

(2) Preaching that scratches the itching ears is unprofitable. Paul said, “For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3,4). Some people ask for advice but are offended when it is given; that is, if it is opposed to what they wanted. They did not want advice at all. The wanted someone to concur in their judgment. This is the way it is with the religionist with itching ears. He wants a preacher, not to preach it like it is, but to preach it the way he would like for it to be. This kind of preaching is not only unprofitable, but it will lead ultimately to hell. Such men turn away their ears from the truth.

(3) Preaching that only excites the hearers is unprofitable preaching. Surely the hearer must be excited. Emotions are to be touched in conversion, but possibly not in the way most people think. Apparently some feel that one who becomes hysterical and acts irrationally has been saved. Hence, rather than preach the truth of the gospel to reasonable men and women, some preachers try to stir the emotions. They tell their favorite emotional tales, stir to a high pitch, and bring on some sort of emotional convulsion. But when all this is done, the one is still unsaved unless the gospel of Jesus Christ is obeyed from the heart. People need to know that there are facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and promises to be received.

(4) Speculative preaching is unprofitable. Consider what Paul had to say on this subject. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that neede ‘ th not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some” (2 Tim. 2:14-18). Paul does not here condemn contending for the truth. In fact he charges Timothy to so contend. He is talking about “profane babblings,” and such false doctrines as “the resurrection is past already.” When a preacher mishandles the word of truth and wrests it to make it back his speculative theories he is engaged in an unprofitable effort.

(5) Truth presented with an apology is unprofitable preaching. Such action amounts to compromise. We are talking about an apology for the truth preached. If we present the truth it is not ours for which to apologize. It is the Lord’s. He did not apologize for it and neither should we. It may be that one preaches the truth in an abusive manner. This, if so, is tragic. Such manner should be apologized for and stopped. Often a preacher is accused of speaking or writing in a rude manner when in fact, the hearer is offended in what is said, and not at all in the manner. It is the truth and cannot be refuted. So one who does not want to accept it has no recourse except to get mad at the preacher. Many a preacher is criticized for one thing when in reality the critic is actually mad about something else.

(6) Truth preached always in a general way is unprofitable. Some in the audience may be able to make proper application. Yet, often the ones who need the lesson most cannot. I have known preachers who thought they were dealing effectively with institutionalism when the audience did not even know they were on the subject. A warning should be given so one can know what the danger is. Otherwise, the warning is worthless. Let us label the sin, identify the false teacher, and apply the remedy. When this is done, with no uncertain sound, the honest and diligent servant can be prepared and protected.

Conclusion

A few years ago, a preacher was noted for preaching on such subjects as The Eichman Case, and The United Nations. The church where he was preaching had a class that was studying Pat Boone’s Twixt Twelve and Twenty. With such a spiritual diet as this, no wonder we are having schism, isms, and immorality! Preacher friend, just preach the word. It will “furnish completely unto every good work.”

Truth Magazine XX: 34, pp. 534-535
August 26, 1976