Truth Magazine

By Jim Gunter

Quite frequently, nowadays, because of the host of things that have divided God’s people, we hear such expressions as “sound Christian,” “sound preacher,” and “sound church.” I believe these expressions to lie warranted, not simply because they might have impressive tones, but because Christ through His apostles tells us to be such.

Often times we may hear the term “conservative”‘ used, and has been employed., by this author on a great number of occasions. While this term may be all right, and I am not being critical of those who use it, it seems to me, by the language of the New Testament, that “sound” would be the more appropriate.

This term is employed as an adjective in the New Testament, a great number of times; sometimes having to do with one’s physical health and sometimes dealing with teaching or doctrine. The Greek word for the adjective is hugies and for the verb is hugiaino (W. E. Vine). With regard to physical health, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon states: “of a man who is sound in body; to make one whole i.e. restore him to health.” Concerning teaching or doctrine, he states: “teaching which does not deviate from the truth; wholesome, fit, wise.” Vine says, “true and incorrupt.”

Therefore, a “sound” church is a local body of God’s people that does not deviate from the teaching (doctrine) of “truth”; it does not teach false or corrupt doctrine.

Now it’s only logical to reason, that for a church of Christ to be “sound,” its members must be “sound.” Thus when a group of baptized believers practice those “things which become sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1), they would of necessity be a “sound” church. But then, on the other hand, when those same people begin to teach and practice things that are not “sound, ” things that are not found in the New Testament, then they begin to lose that “soundness.” Let us now examine two such churches of the first century that are mentioned in the word of God.

The Church At Ephesus

The apostle Paul had much to do with the work at Ephesus. On his return trip to Antioch from his second journey, he preached the gospel there for the first time. This was only a brief stay (Acts 18:19-22). However, when he made his third journey, he spent considerable time at Ephesus, in fact a period of well over two years (Acts 19:8, 10, 22).

According to Acts 19:20, the work there in Ephesus prospered greatly. There were also various others laboring with the apostle, two of which were Timothy and Erastus (Acts 19:22). All together, the amount of time that Paul spent at Ephesus was at least three years (Acts 20:31). In addition to this, Timothy also had spent a lot of time there while Paul was elsewhere. During this time, he received letters from Paul to warn the brethren there not to teach any other doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3).

Surely, these brethren in Ephesus had been established in the “Faith,” since Paul had personally worked with them for at least three years and had left Timothy with them for some time. In Eph. 1:15, 16, Paul even speaks of their faith in the Lord and love for the saints. However, as he was on his way to Jerusalem from his third journey, he stopped at Miletus and sent for the elders of that church to come to him (Acts 20:17). His discourse to them is found in vv. 18-35. Notice some of the words of warning to them: (vs. 28), “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all, the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Perhaps the saddest words are the ones that follow in vv. 29-31, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

Now, one would have to think that this church, with both Paul and Timothy working with them for as long as they did, would remain a faithful or “sound” church. Without a doubt, Paul and Timothy had certainly done all that they possibly could to establish and ground them in the truth. However, the very thing that Paul had so earnestly warned them of in Acts 20:29-31 happened. A number o f years later, that church had lost its “sound-ness and the Lord Jesus spoke against it. In Rev. 2:4, 5, Jesus said, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Today, that church no longer exists in Ephesus.

The Church At Rome

The church at Rome had its beginning perhaps not too long after Pentecost in 33 A. D. In Acts 2:10, we learn that on the day of Pentecost, there were Jews and proselytes there from Rome, who had come to Jerusalem for this great annual event. Thus, they heard the gospel of Christ, as it was preached for the first time. It is highly probable, that some of these Romans were among the three thousand that obeyed the gospel on that day (Acts 2:41), and shortly after Pentecost, returned to Rome and met as a church of the Lord thereafter.

From the language that Paul uses, it would certainly seem that this church at Rome was a very strong church and “sound” in the “Faith.” In Rom. 1:8 he said, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the.whole world.” It was further said to their credit in Rom. 6:17, 18 that they had “obeyed from the heart;” they were very earnest and sincere in their obedience to the Saviour. However, even though their faith and sincerity warranted commendation from Paul, he saw fit to warn them in this same letter of the threat to their “soundness.” In Rom. 16:17-19 he said, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary -to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad. therefore on your behalf:’but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”

In the last years of Paul’s life, he sailed to Rome to stand trial before Augustus Caesar. Exactly how many years Paul spent in Rome before he was put to death, we are not told. However, we are told in Acts 28:30, “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him . . . .”

What became of that church, you say? Well, you and I today are eye-witnesses of what became of her. The church there began to teach and practice things unbecoming to “sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1). It is my firm conviction, that the church at Rome had to be an integral part of the “Mystery of Iniquity” that had already begun to work in Paul’s lifetime (2 Thess. 2:7). It is also my earnest conviction, that Roman Catholicism, followed by Denominationalism, is the inception and outgrowth of the great apostasy or ‘Falling Away” described by Paul in vs. 3.

I was brought up in the labyrinth of Denominationalism and was content in being enslaved by it for the first 31 years of my life. However, I will be ever grateful to The God of Heaven, that through His Word, I was able to find my way out. But, at the same time, does it not follow that if I depart from His Word (sound doctrine), that I will find myself right back within its throes again? As members of the Lord’s Body, we do not engage in the use of mechanical instruments of music in our worship to the Father, for only one reason-we do not find authority in the New Testament for its use. To be consistent, should we not judge all our teaching and practices on the same basis?

May we, as we strive to please God in this life, learn the lesson of obedience to God, from what happened to these two churches. May we also keep ever before us, the words of the apostle John (2 Jn. 9), “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” Surely, this must be the doctrine that Paul spoke of as “sound” doctrine (Tit. 2:1). Thus, it would only follow, that a church which taught this doctrine, would be a “sound” church.

Truth Magazine XIX: 46, pp. 729-730
October 2, 1975

By Bob Walton

Every great hymn has a story. The story contained in the song “When The Roll is Called Up Yonder” is its proclamation of a great Bible truth. It is one of those songs that stirs sweet memories because it has been sung by countless thousands who have staked their every hope in the story it tells.

The chorus of this great song begins with “when the roll”–; not “if” or “maybe,” but of the certainty that the roll will be called up yonder. While no one knows when, the Bible is replete with evidence that this inevitable event will occur. Peter affirms that the Lord’s coming will be as a “thief in the night” (2 Pet. 3:10). The lesson of the parable of the ten virgins is preparation for the Lord’s coming; the culminating thought of this parable is: “Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour” (Matt. 25:13).

The song further indicates a roll “up yonder,” and certainly this is a Bible thought. John portrays the awesome judgment scene with the dead standing before the great white throne to be judged. He further reveals, “The books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Rev. 20:11-12). Hence we see the “roll” being presented as the book of life. Now this book of life will be put along side “the books,” which is the New Testament. This New Testament is elsewhere referred to as “the words of this life” (Acts 5:20), or “the word of life” (Phil. 2:16). Thus the two records in the day of judgment will be “the words of life” and “the book of life.”

Now this book of life is a register of names-a roll; God’s roll book in Heaven, recorded in the omniscient mind of God. Paul alludes to this great truth in speaking of his fellow workers in Philippi “whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3). Since there is a roll book or register in heaven, we need to inquire as to whose names are written therein. In so many of the old Bibles, there is a family register; a list of family names. Just so it is with the book of life; that “roll up yonder,” it is a list of family names. The Hebrew writer speaks of “the general assembly and church of the firstborn whose names are enrolled in Heaven . . .” (Heb. 12:23). Jesus told the seventy that the real occasion of rejoicing should be “that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

On the other hand, we are also told whose names are not in the book of life. John says that the names of those who worship ,the beast (the Roman Empire) were those “whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain” (Rev. 13:8). No follower of a false system of religion has his name on “the roll up yonder.” We thus have from the word of God a definite contrast of whose names are written and whose names are not written in the book of life.

Since God has a register in heaven, how may our names be enrolled therein? Again, we compare with “the old family Bible” at home. When a child was born, his or her name was enrolled in the family register. It is the same with the spiritual family. One must be “born again” in order to be enrolled in the family register. When one is in Christ, he is a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17); we get into Christ by being born again (John 3:5), thus becoming a child of God by faith by being baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). In so doing, the name of this one is added to the family register in heaven. Thus until one meets the requirements for enrollment by being born again, his name is not on “the roll up yonder.”

Once a name is recorded in the book of life, is it possible to blot out that name? God’s word affirms that such is possible. In order not to have that name blotted out of the book of life, one must overcome. To the saints at Sardis, the angel said, “He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life . . .” (Rev. 3:5). Once our names are enrolled, it is imperative that we “hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end” (Heb. 3:14). John further warns that the man who tampers with God’s word by either adding thereunto or taking therefrom, “God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19).

From these Bible truths it is evident that there is a definite relationship between “the roll up yonder” and the destiny of every soul. “And there shall in no wise enter into it (heaven) anything that is unclean, or he that makest an abomination or a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:2). On the other hand, “and if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 22:13). If our names are written in the book of life, we can enter heaven; if they have not been written therein, or have been blotted out, we will be cast into the lake of fire. May we recognize this contingency between the book of life and our eternal destiny.

One final admonition concerning “the roll up yonder:” it is quite possible that my name be on the “church roll down here” and not on “the roll up yonder.” Many people live under the delusion that if their names are on some church roll, then all is well. But let none of us labor under this notion; but let us be sure that our names are in the book of life; that “roll up yonder,” and that we live in such a manner that our names will not be blotted out.

What a joy and consolation derived from singing this grand old hymn-provided we can truthfully sing, “when the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.”

Truth Magazine XIX: 46, pp. 728-729
October 2, 1975

By Lloyd P. Atherton

Does the above question have a familiar ring to it? Of course it does. It is frequently used by denominationalists in an attempt to maintain and sustain such unscriptural practices as sprinkling or pouring as a substitute for baptism, mechanical instrumental music in worship to God, etc. Apparently this is a better argument(?) than many of us have supposed for we hear this question propounded by many professed Christians. It is appalling to hear a child of God ask, “Where does the Bible say not to . . . ?” with regard to social drinking, mixed bathing, the use of tobacco, dancing, immodest attire, ad infinitum. But what prompts such a question, anyway?

Let me suggest that it is a failure to strive to be perfect in Christ. Jesus commanded, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). Paul advised the church at Colosse of Epaphras’ prayer “that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Col. 4:12). Hence we see that Christians are to be perfect.

But what is involved in being perfect? W. E. Vine, in his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vol. 3, pp. 173-174, defines “perfect” as “having reached its end, finished, complete, perfect.” As it relates to persons Vine says, “(a) full grown, of full age, adult, mature; (b) complete”. Thus we are not talking about sinless perfection. Christ only was perfect in that sense (confer 1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 4:15). A Christian cannot claim to live above sin for “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:8). Being perfect involves spiritual growth and maturity; coming to completeness in Christ. When one obeys the gospel, he must “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). We are to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18a). A very real, and I might add, critical problem in the lives of far too many professed Christians is a failure to grow to maturity and completeness. Although many have obeyed the “first principles,” they have not done anything further to promote growth and development. Having merely gone through a form of obedience with a consequent failure to feed upon and drink from God’s word, they are suffering from spiritual malnutrition and retardation.

The Hebrew writer dealt with this very problem. Notice it: “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:12-14). This is a good commentary on the condition of so many in the church today. Many need to be retaught the first principles. They are spiritual infants. They are not able to discern (differentiate) between good and evil because of a failure to exercise their senses. Notice that those who are able to eat strong meat are said to be “of full age.” This is from the same Greek word that is translated “perfect” in Matt. 5:48 and in Col. 4:12. (Contextually, in Matt. 5:48 Jesus is saying that our love must be perfect or complete, even as the Father’s love is complete; in Col. 4:12, reference is to maturity-see Vine’s definition above). Again we see the problem demonstrated; brethren who are not striving to be perfect (mature, full grown and complete) in Christ as required by God.

Concerning our question “where does the Bible say not to . . . ?”, the Lord did not list everything that was good and everything that was evil. No book could contain such. Imagine the difficulty and confusion that would have existed for first and second century man, etc., if the Lard had included in the Bible every specific evil that applies to twentieth century man, so many of which would have been unknown to the earlier centuries, and vice versa. The Lord laid down principles which must govern the lives of Christians. This requires us to exercise our senses. Unfortunately, far too many do not want to be governed and/or are opposed to spiritual exercise (with the possible exception being that of jumping to conclusions). Being carnally minded and not minding the things of the spirit, they are calling good evil and evil good. When challenged concerning their involvement in activities condemned by Bible principles, the major thrust of their defense is the timeworn question, “Well, where does the Bible say not to . . . ?” Isaiah had to deal with this problem in his day. Consider what he had to say. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20-emph. mine, lpa). According to the apostle Paul in Romans 8:6-9, if we are in the flesh we cannot please God. If we do not possess the spirit of Christ we are none of his regardless of what we may think or what we may claim!

Let each of us be full grown, of full age, adult, mature, complete, in. Christ Jesus. Let us be new creatures in Christ (Cf. Eph. 4:17-25). Let us mortify, or put to death, the deeds of the flesh, the old man with his deeds, and put on the new man (Cf. Col. 3:5-10). After primary obedience to the gospel, let us strive to walk in “newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). God’s word reveals that our character must be transformed. What we are must be different from what we were. Our nature must be consistent with the nature of Christ. When we appropriate the truths of God’s word unto ourselves, our character will be changed from the carnal man to the spiritual man. As a consequence our conduct, our doing will be changed. We will seek to follow Christ in all things. We will submit our will to the will of Him who died for us. We will not seek to justify our practices by what the Bible does not say, but rather, we will learn and apply these Bible principles to our lives so as to be in harmony with God’s will as revealed in His word, whether it be precept or principle. Brethren, let us be perfect!

Truth Magazine XIX: 46, pp. 727-728
October 2, 1975

By Bill Crews

Expressing the sentiments of my heart are these words of Paul to his brethren at Corinth: “I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children” (1 Cor. 4:14). This then is not a lesson to shame, but to admonish. Consider these: How brief life is! How certain death is! How long eternity is! And sin? How strong its appeal; how persistent its temptation; how deceptive its appearance; how misleading its promise; how fleeting its pleasure; how tragic its consequence; how horrible its punishment! How great God’s love is! How wonderful Christ’s sacrifice is! How powerful the gospel is! How important the church is! How precious one soul is! How pressing salvation is! How beautiful heaven is! How terrible hell is!

Scriptures To Read

Here is an array of arresting Scriptures that emphasize both the importance and the conditional nature of salvation:

(1) Matt. 22:37-38-God is to be loved with all the heart, soul and mind.

(2) Matt. 10:34-38-Christ is to be loved above father or mother, son or daughter.

(3) Matt. 5:6; 6:31-33-we are to hunger and thirst after righteousness, to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness.

(4) Matt. 7:21-17-we must hear and do the words of Christ.

(5) Matt. 16:24-27-Christ demands self-denial, cross-bearing and following Him even if it costs us our very lives.

(6) Rom. 6:12-13-we must present ourselves unto God and our body members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

(7) Rom. 12:1-2–we must be living sacrifices, not fashioned according to this world.

(8) 1 Cor. -9:24-27; Phil. 3:12-14; Heb. 12:1-2-we must run the race that demands our all.

(9) 1 Cor. 15:58; Col. 1:21-23-we must be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;” we must “continue in the faith.”

(10) Heb. 4:11; 2 Pet. 1:5-11-we must “give diligence to enter into that rest;” we must “give the more diligence to make” our “calling and election sure.”

(11) Heb. 12:14-we must follow after “the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord.”

(12) Heb. 12:28-29-we must have gratitude and offer to God well-pleasing service. “For our God is a consuming fire.”

Some Searching Questions

In view of the principles and lessons contained in the above Scriptures, please answer these questions:

(1) Why do the various services and classes of a congregation not receive the active support of all the members? There are legitimate reasons for not being present, but what of the many instances of brethren missing when they could be present? An attendance chart, posted in the foyer, would be quite revealing. We need to keep in mind the immediate (spiritual edification) and eventual (eternal salvation) purpose of these services and classes. They are more important than work or school, but does our practice say so? Why do brethren miss when they could attend? It is a matter of attitude and interest. “When we want to do something, we find a way. When we don’t, we find an excuse.”

(2) Why are some brethren consistently tardy for services and classes? Do we realize what tardiness says about our interest and the importance we attach to the services and classes? It is detrimental to us and to others. It is a liability and a distraction. It is a habit that most refuse to give in to, that some have formed, that anyone can overcome. Teachers, especially, need to be on time.

(3) Why, in our Bible study classes, are there both children and adults who come without having studied their assigned lessons? Do patents help their children with their lessons or see to it that they get them? Any boy or girl who has become a Christian should not have to be made to prepare a Bible lesson.. Do parents teach and impress upon their children the importance of spiritual things? Do adults set a good example? How can the most important thing in life receive such shoddy treatment from those who profess to prize it most?

(4) Why do we not do more visiting and contacting for the purpose of helping others–the ill, newcomers, the ones who visit our services, the spiritually weak; the negligent? How can we otherwise help to edify and manifest love for brethren and others? Why is all of such “personal” work done by a handful?

(5) Do we really understand, appreciate and benefit from all the time and effort that go into sermons, class lessons, and bulletins? There are some assignments essential to the work of a congregation that are accepted on a voluntary .basis, and those who thus volunteer certainly learn to appreciate -the efforts essential to such works. But what about .those who never volunteer? Have you ever folded, addressed and mailed the bulletin? Have you ever cleaned the building or kept the lawn? Have you ever taught a class? led singing? preached a sermon?

Let me close with more questions. Why are you a Christian? Why are you a member of the Lord’s church? Why are you a member of a particular congregation? Do you see it all as a means to an end? As preparation for eternity? Do you keep your eye on the goal? Are you fully committed to doing the Lord’s will? Do you really want to go to heaven? Is the Lord first in your life?

Truth Magazine XIX: 46, pp. 726-727
October 2, 1975